Bangs (hip hop artist)
Encyclopedia
Ajak Chol better known by his stage name Bangs, is a South Sudan
ese-Australian hip hop artist. He is best known for his song "Take U To Da Movies".
in 2001, first living in Egypt
, then moving to Australia in 2003, settling in Melbourne
. A year later, Chol began producing rap, hip hop and pop. According to an interview with Shade 45 Bangs learned English in 2003.
. In 2009, he posted Take U To Da Movies on YouTube, where it became a viral hit after a few months. In 2010, he recorded two singles, titled "Meet me on Facebook" and "Christmas Story". A percentage of profit from each sale of "Christmas Story" is donated to the International Rescue Committee
, to aid their work in Sudan. His more recent song "Hi Hater" deals with the rapper reflecting many people who he perhaps deems over critical and thus the reason why they are addressed as the "hater".
He performed Take U To Da Movies at the Big Day Out
in Sydney in 2010. There is another live version on YouTube with him performing the record; playfully pouring popcorn on the audience. Bangs is planning to tour the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom in 2011. He also plans to release a new album in 2011 as well. He also performed in Ivory Coast With Moose the God (rapper) on January 2010.
Bangs is signed to record label HSM Entertainment.
's internet radio station in 2009. When videos over the interview appeared on YouTube, his fame skyrocketed and his music videos accumulated millions of views.
Bangs became visible enough that the mainstream media that in 2010 Honda
hired him for an advertisement. The advertisement asked "How much rap can you fit into a Honda Jazz", and featured Bangs rapping to the beat of "Take U to Da Movies".
, Bangs has also cited Dr. Dre
as an inspiration for producing.
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
ese-Australian hip hop artist. He is best known for his song "Take U To Da Movies".
Early life
Chol was born in Juba, Southern Sudan in 1990. He and his family fled Sudan following the civil warSecond Sudanese Civil War
The Second Sudanese Civil War started in 1983, although it was largely a continuation of the First Sudanese Civil War of 1955 to 1972. Although it originated in southern Sudan, the civil war spread to the Nuba mountains and Blue Nile by the end of the 1980s....
in 2001, first living in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, then moving to Australia in 2003, settling in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. A year later, Chol began producing rap, hip hop and pop. According to an interview with Shade 45 Bangs learned English in 2003.
Musical career
Chol recorded the album Hard 2 Be Up in mid 2008 at Gateway Living Music Studios in Footscray, VictoriaFootscray, Victoria
Footscray is a suburb 5 km west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Maribyrnong. At the 2006 Census, Footscray had a population of 11,401....
. In 2009, he posted Take U To Da Movies on YouTube, where it became a viral hit after a few months. In 2010, he recorded two singles, titled "Meet me on Facebook" and "Christmas Story". A percentage of profit from each sale of "Christmas Story" is donated to the International Rescue Committee
International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee is a leading nonsectarian, nongovernmental international relief and development organization based in the United States, with operations in over 40 countries...
, to aid their work in Sudan. His more recent song "Hi Hater" deals with the rapper reflecting many people who he perhaps deems over critical and thus the reason why they are addressed as the "hater".
He performed Take U To Da Movies at the Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
in Sydney in 2010. There is another live version on YouTube with him performing the record; playfully pouring popcorn on the audience. Bangs is planning to tour the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom in 2011. He also plans to release a new album in 2011 as well. He also performed in Ivory Coast With Moose the God (rapper) on January 2010.
Bangs is signed to record label HSM Entertainment.
Fame and reputation
Bangs recorded his first album in 2008, in an Australian studio. By late 2009 limited internet visibility began to grow as he ascended into when his video became a viral hit. Bangs was discovered and interviewed on EminemEminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
's internet radio station in 2009. When videos over the interview appeared on YouTube, his fame skyrocketed and his music videos accumulated millions of views.
Bangs became visible enough that the mainstream media that in 2010 Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
hired him for an advertisement. The advertisement asked "How much rap can you fit into a Honda Jazz", and featured Bangs rapping to the beat of "Take U to Da Movies".
Influences
Bangs has cited his main musical influence as the rapper ChingyChingy
Howard Bailey, Jr. , better known by his stage name Chingy, is an American rapper.Chingy grew up in the Walnut Park section of St. Louis and began rapping in earnest in his late teens...
, Bangs has also cited Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
as an inspiration for producing.