A select few artists, such as Prince, Puff Daddy, and Snoop Doggy Dogg evolved due to life events or environment. So much so they feel the need to change their names. One can see that this need for change is evident through America’s constantly changing culture.
Throughout his career, Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy suffered from accusations, a bad home life, and losing loved ones. Shortly after his third birthday his mother had another son, and then his father died. Sean Combs mother crafted a story about his father dying in a car accident. However, fourteen year old Sean’s curiosity got the best of him. While researching in the library he found out his father hustled, and he did not die in a car accident, but from a bullet to the head in Central Park West. Sean Combs continues to say, “All the stories I heard about him, he was a good man and all that, and he was just hustling trying to make ends meet. He wasn’t known as some gangster.”
However, growing up in Harlem, many influential artists surrounded Combs. Included in these artists are L. L. Cool J, Run-DMC, and The Beastie Boys. Before he was out of his teens he had already established a bridge between music being made on the street, and the high quality studios of major labels. He is also most known for discovering big names such as, the Notorious B.I.G, and Mary J. Blige.
Once again tragedy threatened to break Combs. On March 9th, 1997 Sean Combs lost his best friend, rapper Biggie Smalls. However that only fueled him, Combs bounced back with the energy of three people. He began to open restaurants, charities, clothing lines, and still kept ahead of the music business. Finally producing his own music, Diddy recorded his own chart-topping album in 1997 “No Way Out”. I...
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...eems to never stay the same for very long. Sean Combs’ life broadcasted for the world to see, but people only stay interested in tragedies for so long. He kept things fresh by changing occupations, remaining unpredictable. His altering names finally settled on P. Diddy. Snoop found his name change through an almost spiritual occurrence. He expressed himself through his name, and produced a documentary because of it, keeping his name alive. As if Prince’s music doesn’t speak for itself he also takes the gold for best name change, by using an album symbol that later became his very own moniker, confusing and changing the music business forever. Most would venture to say that almost anybody on the street would recognize the names P. Diddy, Prince, and Snoop, and there’s reason for that, they beat the system and continue to live on as legends in american pop culture.
Signing with Def Jams in 1984, LL Cool J gave hip-hop a new component which is love. As Guestlist explain his type of rapping as “LL cool J’s song adopted a ‘soft’ style which bred
Tupac Shakur was one of the most influential music artist of the 20th Century. “Murda, Murda, Murda, and Kill, Kill, Kill…” these are they lyrics to one of the songs written by Tupac Shakur. Amidst all the controversy surrounding his personal life, this artist has managed to overcome all obstacles and spread his hope/hate message to a surprisingly receptive audience. Tupac’s music is borrowed from the styles of early rap and hip-hop yet its appeal rested in Tupac himself. His persona of “Thug Poet” opened up a portal into the new genre of “Gangsta Rap.” This new style of music revolutionized the music industry and allowed several new artists to break through in Tupac’s creation, Gangsta Rap, such as; G-unit, Eminem, and many others.
Tupac Amaru Shakur born in East Harlem section of Manhattan in New York City. His birth name was Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16 1971. His both parents were members of the Black Panther Party. Tupac Shakur was a vocal participant during the East Coast and West Coast hip hop rivalry. He went to High School in California and Maryland. His career brought him back to New York City. Forget about his education and family background, thinking about how he put himself into his career so successfully. To succeed and accomplishment that made him in legacy…..
Both a rapper and an MC, Tupac Shakur was a very famous artist during his short time on Earth. Better known as “Makaveli” or “2pac,” Shakur influenced many young teens and adults his age. 2Pac was born in East Harlem, NY during June of 1971. The name Tupac comes from a revolutionary leader who was killed after leading a revolution against the spanish in the 18th century. Most of the family Tupac was raised around were involved with crimes, drugs, and charge convictions. His first job in the industry as an MC was with a hip-hop group Digital Underground. Along with being an MC for this group, he was also a backup dancer and roadie. He was also featured on the group’s song for a soundtrack to a movie called “Nothing but Trouble.” He went on to record both an EP and full studio album with Digital Underground before leaving to pursue his own solo career. His first album “2Pacalypse Now” did not receive mainstream hype at it’s time but did feature artists such as Nas, Eminem, and the Game. It also reached Gold status by the RIAA. His next album, “Strictly for my Ni***z” Hit ...
Tupac was one of the most notorious and influential celebrities of the 90s and today still. He sold over 75 million albums worldwide, reaching Spain, Brazil, South Africa, and all corners of America. His career was filled with controversy and luxury just the same. As a rapper, a poet, an activist, and an actor, Tupac gained many fans, and also enemies. Tupac’s down-to-earth personality, talent and relatable music allowed him to become one of the top icons of the rap industry.
Even before the party in the Bronx rap music made a mark. Some say it originated in Jamaican under th...
He may just seem like another rapper to you but if you actually listen to his lyrics you can see he’s not like any rapper out there. His name is Kanye West and he was born in Chicago Illinois. He grew up in the “ghetto” and learned to appreciate life. He didn’t learn to really, truly appreciate life until October of 2002. Driving back to his hotel late one night after a recording session, the new-coming rap/hip-hop artist was involved in a devastating, near fatal car accident. The crash left him with a broken jaw in three places and an appreciation for life. Just weeks after being released from the hospital he recorded his first major hit, “Through the Wire,” with his mouth still wired shut. He records every song like its going to be his last song and that makes every song better than the last. He’s not only a rap artist but also a producer. He has been responsible for being behind songs like Jay-Z’s Izzo, Girls, Girls, Girls, The Takeover, and 03 Bonnie and Clyde.
I was twelve when I first heard the name “Kanye West”. He was featured in a song I rather liked at the time called “Forever” and whilst discussing the song with my friend one afternoon I remarked: “I like Kayne (pronounced like citizen Kane) West’s verse as well” “It’s pronounced ‘Kan-Ye’’ he corrected me with a chuckle. A year later, West popped into my life again.
Kanye West has been an icon in American hip-hop culture for over a decade. His music, fashion line, producing skills, and flamboyant personality has influenced many people for generations to come. Coming out of Chicago, many people in the music industry didn't even think Kanye had a chance to become a figure in hip-hop, but his hard work and persistence paid off. Kanye started off his music career as a producer. He produced music for the likes of major artists such as Common and Jay-Z. His first major breakthrough came from producing Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint”— which is certified 2x platinum. Kanye believed he could be a successful rapper as well, but music executives didn't believe he had it in him. That all changed when Roc-A-Fella records signed Kanye to their label, and gave him a chance to shine as a rapper. Kanye’s background, critical analysis, and importance all shows that he has become one of the most important characters in American hip-hop culture to this day.
Kanye Omari West, rapper, producer, professional celebrity, and with an ego to match, has forced himself into the limelight of the music industry. Kanye West has made a lasting impression on all of those around him, whether it be a good one or bad. With seven full length albums, a multimillion record label company, and a successful fashion business all under his belt, it’s fair to say that Kanye has done his fair share of creating. Over the last twelve years Kanye went from a young Chicago kid just trying to get his flows off, to one of the most decorated musicians of all time. With over 20 Grammy’s and 3 of his albums ending up on the Rolling stones “500 greatest albums of all time”. He has continuously created, entertained, and spoken his mind for years. Whether it be “George Bush does not care about black people” or “Taylor imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had
“Damn right I love the life I live, cause I went from negative, to positive.” This is one of the most well-known quotes stated by The Notorious B.I.G. He was an extremely talented rapper and person. Christopher Wallace, AKA Biggie Smalls was one of the most respected and successful artists worldwide. Though his career was short, it was extremely successful.
Tupac Amaru Shakur was an African-American rapper, poet, and record producer during the 1990’s. In his adolescent years, he attended the Baltimore School for the Arts where he took acting and dance classes, like ballet. He was taught radical politics by his mother, which helped him develop ideas about topics he would later use in his many works. At an early age, Tupac had seen the injustices of the real world. His mother was a former Black Panther activist who turned to substance abuse during Tupac’s childhood. Aside from that, he and his mother also moved many times while they lived together in New York City. While Tupac was in Baltimore, he discovered rap; not long after, he and his mother moved to the West Coast where he joined the rap group
Tupac Shakur is one of the most influential artists of all time, regardless of genre. Tupac only lived for 25 years, as he was killed in a drive-by shooting outside a Las Vegas casino, which was allegedly the result of a feud between two rap groups. Tupac’s music has always cast a long shadow across the hip hop music industry, because his lyrics discuss deep and meaningful issues that his community was dealing with during his lifetime. The songs that I have selected to break down, in the ways they relate to and portray women during this time, are “Brenda’s got a baby,” “Dear Mama,” and “keep ya head up.” The lyrics, and stories that are discussed in these songs are extremely relatable and are examples of why Tupac was able to rise to prominence, and why his music continues to still be marketable and popular today.
Tupac Shakur was a lyrical genius when it came to rapping his feelings about subjects, he was one of the bestselling music artists of all time (Rolling Stone) and yet he was taken from us too early at the young age of 25 while partying in Las Vegas. This story is one that shows how a young musician with so much talent can be taken into the rap culture and enveloped by it, towards the end of his life Shakur produced hundreds of songs ensuring that after his death records would be released for many years. Some say he was crazy and some say he was just misunderstood but either way Tupac was an artist that changed the rap game and continues to influence bilingual rappers to the current day. His work and songs still make it into popular culture and will continue for many years to come. His childhood and upbringing are what made him who he was while also influencing the language and culture used in his music. The locations and personal influences are what inspired him to get into the rap game.
Hip- hop is a standout amongst the most compelling musical sorts on the globe. There are rappers everywhere that know what amount of an impact their music can have. Some entertainers attempt to utilize that force of impact to do great (Ruiz INT).