Kwamé
 |
Kwamé | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | K-1 Million, K1 Mil |
| Genres | Hip hop, R&B, Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, Producer |
| Years active | 1988–1994, 2001–present |
| Labels | Atlantic Records |
Kwamé is an American rapper who enjoyed brief popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is currently a music producer, sometimes credited as K-1 Million or K1 Mil.
Biography
In 1989, aged 16, Kwamé released his debut album, Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring a New Beginning, which he also produced with the aid of Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. The 'A New Beginning' of the title refers to his backing band, which was unusual amongst emcees of the time. The album spawned the singles "The Man We All Know and Love" and "The Rhythm." The accompanying music videos featured a polka-dot motif in the costumes and production design. This was to become Kwamé's trademark and a hip hop fashion trend, as fans of his began wearing polka-dotted clothing.[1][2] In 1990, Kwamé released his second album A Day in the Life: a Pokadelick Adventure, a concept album about a day in the life of a high school student. The album spawned the hit singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue."[1]
In 1992, aged 18, he released his third album, Nastee. This album marked a departure for him, discarding the polka-dots and writing more sexually charged lyrics, in contrast to his previously playful, intellectual persona. The title track was a minor hit but the album quickly fell from the charts.[3] His fourth album, 1994's Incognito failed to chart.[1][3]
In 2000, Kwamé reemerged as a music producer, sometimes working under the name K-1 Million. He has produced for many artists, such as LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera. In 2004, he had a major success as the co-producer (with Eminem) of Lloyd Banks' smash hit song "On Fire."[1] In 2005, he had more success with Will Smith's single "Switch".[1] As a producer, Kwamé has sold over 30 million records.
In 2012, Kwamé teamed up with Vin Diesel to help score his web series The Ropes. He also formed the boutique label Make Noise, with signees including Beyond Belief, and released an instrumental album, Break Beat Diaries.
Kwamé has also written scores and original music for film and TV., including Drumline, Step Up 1 & 2, Stomp the Yard, Freedom Writers, The Comebacks, Coach Carter, and Fantastic Four and is currently producing recording artist Vivian Green 5th album entitled "V" due out early 2015. He has also joined the hip hop group the Alumni , alongside Chubb Rock, Dana Dane, Special Ed, and Monie Love.
Personal life
Kwamé is a cousin of Vin Diesel, who danced in some of his early music videos.[4]
Discography (as artist)
Albums
- Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning (1989)
- A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure (1990)
- Nastee (1992)
- Incognito (1994, Ichiban Records)
- Break Beat Diaries (Instrumental Album) (2012, MAKE NOISE Recordings)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot R&B | US Hot Rap | |||
| 1989 | "The Man We All Know and Love" | 33 | 2 | Kwamé the Boy Genius Featuring A New Beginning |
| "The Rhythm" | 57 | 1 | ||
| "Ugotz 2 get Down" | — | 7 | ||
| "Sweet Thang" | — | 20 | ||
| 1990 | "Ownleeeue" | 33 | 1 | A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure |
| "Oneovdabigboiz" | 40 | 3 | ||
| 1991 | "Hai Love" | 94 | 17 | |
| 1992 | "Nastee" | 68 | 16 | Nastee |
| "Can U Feel It" | — | — | ||
| 1994 | "? It Like" | — | 20 | Incognito |
Discography (as producer)
Selected production discography
- Mary J. Blige - "Love" (album: No More Drama) (2001)
- LL Cool J - "10 Million Stars", "Throw Ya L's Up" (album: 10) (2002)
- Dru Hill - "No Doubt" (album: Dru World Order) (2002)
- Nick Cannon - "Scared of You" (album: Drumline soundtrack) (2002)
- Lady May feat. Blu Cantrell - "Round Up" (album: May Day) (2002)
- JoJo - "Breezy" (album: JoJo) (2004)
- Lloyd Banks - "On Fire" (album: The Hunger for More) (2004)
- Janet Jackson - "All Nite (Don't Stop)" (Kwamé Stimulated Remix feat. Elephant Man) (2004)
- Will Smith - "Switch" (album: Lost & Found) (2005)
- Tweet feat. Missy Elliott - "Turn da Lights Off", "We Don't Need No Water" (album: It's Me Again) (2005)
- Teairra Mari - "New Sh*t", "No Daddy" (album: Roc-A-Fella Presents: Teairra Marí) (2005)
- Pussycat Dolls - "Bite da Dust" (album: PCD) (2005)
- Red Cafe - "All Night Long" (album: Coach Carter soundtrack) (2005)
- Fantasia - "Not The Way That I Do" (album: Fantasia (2006)
- Method Man - "Fall Out", "For Ever", "O.D. On Em" (album: 4:21...The Day After) (2006)
- Chingy feat. Fat Man Scoop - "Lets Ride" (album: Hoodstar) (2006)
- 3LW & Young Joc - "Bout It" (album: Step Up soundtrack) (2006)
- Christina Aguilera - "Understand" (album: Back to Basics) (2006)
- Skillz - "Sick" (album: The Million Dollar Backpack) (2006)
- Mya feat. Charli Baltimore & Penelope Jones - "I Am" (album: Liberation) (2007)
- Talib Kweli - "Listen" (album: Eardrum) (2007)
- Raven-Symoné - "Green", "That Girl" (album: Raven-Symoné) (2008)
- Keyshia Cole - "No Other" (album: A Different Me) (2008)
- Algebra Blessett - "Run & Hide", "Half Way", "Can I Keep You" (album: Purpose) (2008)
- Day26 - "Come with Me" (album: Day26) (2008)
- Raheem DeVaughn - "Friday(Shut The Club Down)" (album: Love Behind the Melody) (2008)
- Jesse McCartney - "Make Up" (album: Departure) (2009)
- Skillz - "Regular Guy" (Album: "The Wold Needs More Skillz" (2010)
- Jawan Harris - "Keisha" (single: (2011)
- Lauriana Mae - "Love", "Like a drum", "Money Mae" (EP: "Love Mae)" (2011)
- Chino XL - "Afraid of Nothing Feat. Somaya Reece" (album: Ricanstruction) (2013)
- Chanté Moore - "Alone", "Doctor Doctor" (album:Moore is More) (2013)
- Shaleik - "Better Woman", "Feel It" (Album:"Blood Sweat Tears") (2014)
- Algebra Blessett - "Recovery", "Right Next to You", "Paper Heart", "Mystery", "Better for Me" (album: Recovery) (2014)
- Vivian Green -"Get Right Back To My Baby" (Single (2014)
References
- ^ a b c d e Hall, Rashaun (2004-10-07). "Lloyd Banks, Eminem Help Kwame Set The Polka Dots 'On Fire'". MTV.com. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ The Fly Guy (2007-07-20). "Express Yourself: The Genius Of Kwamé". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ a b Paine (2004-07-07). "Kwame: Nobody's Laughing". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
- ^ "In Tha Background: Kwame - Once dissed by Biggie... But Now?". HipHopDX.com. 2002-09-06.
External links
Media related to Kwame Holland at Wikimedia Commons