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Cyhi the Prynce

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Cyhi the Prynce
Cyhi the Prynce performing in 2014
Cyhi the Prynce performing in 2014
Background information
Birth nameCydel Charles Young
Also known asPrynce Cyhi
Born (1984-09-15) September 15, 1984 (age 40)
OriginStone Mountain, Georgia, U.S.[1]
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2005–present
Labels
Websitewww.cyhi.site

Cydel Charles Young[2] (born September 15, 1984),[2][3] known professionally as CyHi the Prynce (also referred to as CyHi Da Prynce,[4] or simply CyHi[5][6]), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. In 2009, he signed his first major-label recording contract in a joint venture with Akon's Konvict Muzik and Def Jam Recordings. In 2010, Young gained further mainstream attention for his work with rapper Kanye West after appearing on his highly acclaimed fifth album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). Young would also heavily co-write lyrics for West's discography in the following years, resulting in six Grammy Award nominations for Best Rap Song.[7]

Young has released nine mixtapes, often with conscious or political themes discussing the history of black people in America. He departed Def Jam in 2015 and released his long-delayed debut studio album, No Dope on Sundays in 2017 through Sony Music; West executive produced the album.

Biography

1985–2011: Early life and career beginnings

Growing up in Georgia, Young played various sports including football, basketball, and track and field; in addition to having sung in school choirs and participated in school plays and dances. He was raised Baptist by strict parents, who didn't allow him to listen to hip hop music as a youth. However, Young cites his parents' methods as a foundation upon which he could build himself in character, especially growing up in the area that he was.

In 2009, Young signed a recording contract with Akon's Konvict Muzik label imprint, under the aegis of Def Jam Recordings.[8] Young first gained major attention in 2010 when he received a co-sign from fellow American rapper and hip hop mogul Kanye West.[9][10] Young reports that American singer Beyoncé, a friend of West and the wife of his mentor, Jay-Z, convinced Kanye West to sign him to his GOOD Music imprint.[11] This culminated in Young's inclusion on West's weekly free music giveaway GOOD Fridays, and his fifth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010).

Young recorded his second mixtape, Royal Flush II, with producer CPK, and planned to work further with previous collaborators the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, No I.D. and Kanye West, as well as DJ Toomp, The Alchemist and Just Blaze.[12] Young released his third mixtape, Jack of All Trades, later in 2011, which announced the title of his debut studio album to be Hardway Musical.

2012: Cruel Summer

Young appeared on GOOD Music's compilation album Cruel Summer, released September 18, 2012. Young was ultimately featured on two tracks, including: "The Morning", along with Raekwon, Common, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, Kid Cudi, and D'banj, as well as "Sin City", alongside John Legend, Teyana Taylor, Malik Yusef, and Travis Scott.[13] On January 29, 2013, he released his fifth mixtape, Ivy League: Kick Back.[14] The tape features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, B.o.B, Travis Porter, Yelawolf, Childish Gambino, Trae Tha Truth and Bobby Valentino among others.[15] Despite not being featured on Kanye West's Yeezus album, Young has writing credits on all but one of the album's songs.[16] CyHi continued to prepare his debut studio album Hardway Musical for release.[17]

2015–present: Label confusion and L.I.O.N.

As of August 2015, CyHi's album had yet to receive a release date. Frustrated with his situation and having been dropped from Def Jam Recordings, he released a diss track called "Elephant in the Room", aimed toward G.O.O.D. Music, its owner Kanye West, Pusha T and Teyana Taylor. On the track, he addresses his album delays and even threatens Kanye: "While you're in your little Lambo on Sunset, I'm riding with a gun next to me and it sounds like a little boy playing with a drum set / And, it holds a hundred rounds 'cause when you come around, niggas quick to gun you down."[18]

CyHi would later clarify that the track was not in fact a diss. Rather it was similar to the light-hearted 'insults' that Eminem would inflict on Dr. Dre.[19] An upcoming album to be titled L.I.O.N. was announced amid this increase in media attention, still containing the G.O.O.D. Music imprint's logo, further indicating that CyHi was still with the label, and on good terms.[20]

His debut album, No Dope on Sundays, was released on November 17, 2017. It was preceded by the singles "Movin' Around" featuring Schoolboy Q and "Dat Side" featuring Kanye West.

On February 14, 2021, CyHi revealed on Instagram that he had survived an assassination attempt. As he was driving on an Atlanta highway, his car was reportedly shot up, causing it to flip over. After his car hit a pole and crashed into a tree, the suspect continued to shoot the car before fleeing the scene.

Discography

Main article: Cyhi the Prynce discography

Studio albums

Mixtapes

  • Royal Flush (2010)
  • Royal Flush 2 (2011)
  • Jack of All Trades (2011)
  • Ivy League Club (2012)
  • Ivy League: Kick Back (2013)
  • Black Hystori Project (2014)
  • Black Hystori Project 2: N.A.A.C.P. (2015)

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards (as songwriter)

Year Work Award Result Ref.
2014 "New Slaves" Best Rap Song Nominated [21]
2015 "Bound 2" Nominated
2016 "All Day" Nominated
2017 "Famous" Nominated
"Ultralight Beam" Nominated
2019 "Sicko Mode" Nominated

References

  1. ^ "CyHi Q&A | Atlanta rapper and Grammy-nominee talks about new album, more". August 5, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Rapper Prynce | Sweet Georgia". Djx-rated.com. September 15, 1985. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  3. ^ "ACE Repertory". Ascap.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  4. ^ "Cyhi Da Prynce on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  5. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  6. ^ "CyHi". Spotify. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  7. ^ https://www.clashmusic.com/features/writing-the-gospel-cyhi-the-prynce-interviewed/
  8. ^ "CyHi The Prynce Says Kanye, Akon Pledged To 'Enhance' His Music". MTV. July 1, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  9. ^ Kanye West Co-Signs Prynce Cy Hi | CyHi The Prince | Artists | Def Jam. Island Def Jam (February 16, 2010). Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  10. ^ Kanye West Endorses CyHi Da Prynce. Rap Radar (February 15, 2010). Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  11. ^ Horowitz, Steven J.. (July 26, 2011) CyHi Da Prynce Says Beyonce Told Kanye West To Sign Him To G.O.O.D. Music | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales Archived November 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. HipHop DX. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  12. ^ Ryon, Sean. (July 30, 2011) CyHi Da Prynce Talks Debut Album, G.O.O.D. Music Beef | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales Archived October 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. HipHop DX. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  13. ^ Young, Alex (September 7, 2012). "Kanye West's Cruel Summer tracklist revealed". consequence.net. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  14. ^ Iandoli, Kathy (January 14, 2013). "Mixtape Release Dates: Consequence, Big K.R.I.T., B-Real, Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  15. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (January 30, 2013). "CyHi The Prynce "Ivy League: Kickback" Mixtape Download". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  16. ^ "CyHi The Prynce Speaks On His Yeezus Contributions (Video)". 2DopeBoyz.com. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  17. ^ Baker, Soren (June 27, 2013). "CyHi The Prynce Says G.O.O.D. Music's "Cruel Winter" LP May Arrive This Year". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  18. ^ "CyHi The Prynce Disses Kanye West, Pusha T in New Song". BallerStatus.com. August 5, 2015.
  19. ^ Lyons, Patrick (August 8, 2015). "CyHi The Prynce Says He Didn't Diss Kanye West On "Elephant in the Room"". Hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  20. ^ Lilah, Rose (August 7, 2015). "CyHi The Prynce Announces New Album "L.I.O.N."". Hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  21. ^ "Cydel Young | Artist". Grammy.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
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