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Block McCloud

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Block McCloud
DJ FM (left) with Block McCloud (right)
DJ FM (left) with Block McCloud (right)
Background information
Birth nameIsmael Diaz Jr.[1]
BornBrooklyn, New York, United States
GenresHip hop
Years active1996-present
LabelsDisturbia Music Group

Block Mccloud (born Ismael Diaz Jr.) is an underground rapper and singer, who was born and raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn. He is the son of famous Salsa singer Ismael Diaz, who grew up with and sang alongside Salsa legend Tito Rojas. His father’s legacy inspired Block McCloud, who was an adolescent at the time, and then began performing for the public in Red Hook and Columbia Street festivals by the age of eight. It was at this age when Block heard the song “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugar Hill Gang and became an avid follower of Hip Hop culture.[2]

He is also the founder of Disturbia Music Group. Block McCloud is known for his constant collaborations with Vinnie Paz and is a member of hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs.[3]

Biography

Beginnings (1996 - 2000)

Block first made his name with a group called Zooty Zoo[4] in the mid 90’s, appearing on the Ecko Unlimited Mixtapes that accompanied their line of T-shirts. He then went on to appear on the seminal independent compilation Lyricst Lounge, Vol. 1 released on Rawkus Records alongside acts such as Q-Tip, Mos Def, Talib Kweli & Pharaohe Monch among others. Shortly after, Block formed the group Brooklyn Academy with Pumpkinhead and Mr. Metaphor releasing several independent singles and albums while remaining active as the engineer of choice for other indie artists like Jean Grae and Immortal Technique.

I Was Drunk When I Made This (2001-2004)

In 2004, Block McCloud released his first album. It was distributed by Brooklyn Academy Records Inc and his own Distrubia Music.[5] It included guest appearances from Vinnie Paz, Jean Grae, Pumpkinhead and Immortal Technique.[6]

Spitting Image (2005-2007)

In 2006, Block released his first solo-LP, Spittin Image leading to his inclusion in the aforementioned Army of the Pharoahes projects. It was during this time Vinnie Paz, member of Jedi Mind Tricks, decided that Block should join hip hop supergroup; Army of the Pharaohs. McCloud joined after the recording of Ritual of Battle, therefore he wasn't on the album.[7]

Crazy Man EP & Four Walls (2008-2012)

In 2010, Block appeared on Army of the Pharaohs third studio album; The Unholy Terror.[8] However, he was only featured on the tracks "Burn You Alive."[9] Crazy Man EP was released on November 2, 2011 as a precursor to his full-length album; Four Walls, which was released early 2012. The EP featured three versions of the song “Crazy Man”, including a remix featuring Celph Titled & R.A. the Rugged Man with the original version with production from DJ Waxwork (formerly of the German production team, The Snowgoons) and additional production provided by Anno Domini and Dj Luciano of The Beatills.

Inspiration

Block McCloud was inspired from acts such as LL Cool J, Run DMC and EPMD. This enticed him as a performer to use his vocals. Block states, “I became a fiend, staying up all night listening to DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout, but it wasn’t until Brooklyn rappers started killing it that I started spitting.” Big Daddy Kane and Rakim were his primary inspiration, “They’re the guys that made me want to rhyme, so I did!”[10]

Business ventures

Block McCloud forges partnership with Well Done Entertainment via his own record label Disturbia Music Group which he founded in 2004.

Discography

Solo Albums

  • I Was Drunk When I Made This (2004)
  • Spittin Image (2006)[11]
  • Four Walls (2012)
  • The Book of Ishmael (2013)[12]

Extended Plays

  • Crazy Man EP (2011)

Collaboration Albums

References

  1. ^ Birth name
  2. ^ Block McCloud on RhymeState
  3. ^ Meet the Army Of The Pharaohs (AOTP) by UndergroundVlogs
  4. ^ Block had a group called Zooty Zoo
  5. ^ Block McCloud Disturbia
  6. ^ I was drunk On Discogs
  7. ^ Burn You Alive Block McClouds feature 2010
  8. ^ "Army Of The Pharaohs - The Unholy Terror - Audio CD - Underground Hip Hop - Store". Underground Hip Hop. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  9. ^ Jacobs, Allen (2010-04-07). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 4/4/2010 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  10. ^ One of the best for 2006
  11. ^ Spittin Image
  12. ^ http://hiphoplt.com/block-mccloud-announces-new-album-the-book-of-ishmael

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