Edreys
Encyclopedia
Edreys Wajed, better known by the stage name
Billy Drease Williams
is an American
hip hop
emcee and producer
from Buffalo, New York
; known for his uptempo production, clean lyrics, and motivational messages. Billy Drease Williams started as part of a short lived hip hop group called The Elements (formed with Soulive
members Alan Evans and Neal Evans) and later was one half of a duo known as Raw Intel (with producer Trevor "TrevThorne" Drayton).
Raw Intel found success early, placing five songs on the ESPN NFL 2K5
Video Game, and producing a little known but highly acclaimed self titled album in 2002/2003. Edreys also collaborated with Soulive again for their Turn It Out Remixed
Album and released a project on Velour Records with drummer Alan Evans, entitled M.E.K.A. 54.
After the Raw Intel album failed to provide Edreys with a viable major label deal, he focused his efforts on production and visual art: placing several tracks on films and television, including Lionsgate Films' "The Farce of the Penguins" and Lifetime Television
's "Officer Down"; as well as opening an independent art gallery in Buffalo called Gallery 51. Additionally, he produced several tracks for Atlanta-based rapper, Stat Quo
.
Soon thereafter, Edreys decided to embrace the industry's movement from mainstream to indie and signed a deal with Buffalo-based independent label DeepThinka Records, which then proceeded to re-brand themselves as DTR45. Creatively invigorated by the deal, Edreys' first tune "I Like It", secured features in Billboard Magazine and on Myspace
; and the video was quickly featured by YouTube
and BET
.
Due to the increasing amount of exposure and continual difficulty of pronouncing his birth name ("E-Drease"), Edreys decided to take on the moniker Billy Drease Williams
, both in homage to the actor Billy Dee Williams
and as a way for his birth name to still be present within his stage name. Since the renaming, he has released two albums with DTR45 and secured several high profile features and appearances, including Warped Tour
, NXNE, and CMJ Music Marathon
performances. His latest single, Just Doin' It has proven to be his biggest commercial success to date, and the groundbreaking music video
has received nearly half a million views to date.
to Educating the Future and Celebrating a Culture, achieved through the following guidelines:
of the culture of Hip-Hop and all forms of music.
sciences through after school tutoring, mentor-ship and educational excursions to help fight
juvenile delinquency.
business functions.
prejudice, discrimination and violence.
The Art of Hip Hop has been celebrated as an event / festival in Buffalo the past years, and is currently on its fifth installment.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Billy Drease Williams
Billy Drease Williams
Billy Drease Williams is an American hip hop emcee and producer from Buffalo, New York; known for his uptempo production, clean lyrics, and motivational messages...
is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
emcee and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
from Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
; known for his uptempo production, clean lyrics, and motivational messages. Billy Drease Williams started as part of a short lived hip hop group called The Elements (formed with Soulive
Soulive
Soulive is a funk/jazz trio that originated in Woodstock, New York, and is known for its solos and catchy, upbeat songs. The band consists of Eric Krasno , Alan Evans , Neal Evans...
members Alan Evans and Neal Evans) and later was one half of a duo known as Raw Intel (with producer Trevor "TrevThorne" Drayton).
Raw Intel found success early, placing five songs on the ESPN NFL 2K5
ESPN NFL 2K5
ESPN NFL 2K5 is an American football video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports and the Sega Corporation. It is a part of the NFL 2K series. The game was originally released on July 20, 2004, for both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox video game consoles.- Features :The game...
Video Game, and producing a little known but highly acclaimed self titled album in 2002/2003. Edreys also collaborated with Soulive again for their Turn It Out Remixed
Turn It Out Remixed
Soulive's Turn It Out Remixed is a remix album of their classic 1999 release, Turn It Out. Each tune was reworked, remixed and replayed to create something wholly new, yet wholly Soulive....
Album and released a project on Velour Records with drummer Alan Evans, entitled M.E.K.A. 54.
After the Raw Intel album failed to provide Edreys with a viable major label deal, he focused his efforts on production and visual art: placing several tracks on films and television, including Lionsgate Films' "The Farce of the Penguins" and Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television, often referred to as Lifetime TV, or most commonly, Lifetime, is an American cable television specialty channel devoted to movies, sitcoms and dramas, all of which are either geared toward women or feature women in lead roles. The cable network is owned by A&E Television Networks...
's "Officer Down"; as well as opening an independent art gallery in Buffalo called Gallery 51. Additionally, he produced several tracks for Atlanta-based rapper, Stat Quo
Stat Quo
Stanley Benton, better known as Stat Quo, is an American rapper. Benton worked his way to college and attended University of Florida, where he majored in economics and international business in 2000. Benton was contemplating law school, until veteran Southern rapper Scarface encouraged him to rap...
.
Soon thereafter, Edreys decided to embrace the industry's movement from mainstream to indie and signed a deal with Buffalo-based independent label DeepThinka Records, which then proceeded to re-brand themselves as DTR45. Creatively invigorated by the deal, Edreys' first tune "I Like It", secured features in Billboard Magazine and on Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
; and the video was quickly featured by YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
and BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
.
Due to the increasing amount of exposure and continual difficulty of pronouncing his birth name ("E-Drease"), Edreys decided to take on the moniker Billy Drease Williams
Billy Drease Williams
Billy Drease Williams is an American hip hop emcee and producer from Buffalo, New York; known for his uptempo production, clean lyrics, and motivational messages...
, both in homage to the actor Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams
William December "Billy Dee" Williams, Jr. is an American actor, artist, singer, and writer.-Early life:Williams was born in New York City, New York, the son of Loretta...
and as a way for his birth name to still be present within his stage name. Since the renaming, he has released two albums with DTR45 and secured several high profile features and appearances, including Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
, NXNE, and CMJ Music Marathon
CMJ Music Marathon
CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival is put on by CMJ Network. CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival 2010 is scheduled for October 19–23 and will be headquartered at New York University and other downtown NYC venues.- History :...
performances. His latest single, Just Doin' It has proven to be his biggest commercial success to date, and the groundbreaking music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
has received nearly half a million views to date.
The Art of Hip-Hop
Billy Drease is the Executive Director of The Art of Hip Hop, a not for profit organization dedicatedto Educating the Future and Celebrating a Culture, achieved through the following guidelines:
- 1 To educate the public on the importance of the preservation, appreciation and positive influences
of the culture of Hip-Hop and all forms of music.
- 2 To produce programming designed to improve scholastic abilities in math, reading and the
sciences through after school tutoring, mentor-ship and educational excursions to help fight
juvenile delinquency.
- 3 To utilize the business behind the music industry to teach youth about entrepreneurship and
business functions.
- 4 To utilize the visual arts in helping youth express emotion and life issues, and help eliminate
prejudice, discrimination and violence.
The Art of Hip Hop has been celebrated as an event / festival in Buffalo the past years, and is currently on its fifth installment.
Career Highlights
- 2010: Featured Performer at YouTube Musician's Wanted Showcase at CMJ New Music Marathon
- 2010: Awarded 'Artvoice' Best in Buffalo Hip Hop Artist for 2010
- 2010: Cast as the lead for "Death of a King", a hip-hop rendition of Hamlet.
- 2009: Selected Showcase Performer for NXNE Festival in Toronto
- 2009: Awarded ‘Artvoice’ Best in Buffalo Hip Hop Artist for 2009
- 2009: Featured Performer for Hard Rock Cafe’s ‘March on Stage’ Event
- 2009: Named one of URB Magazine‘s Next 1000 Artists
- 2008: First Hip Hop Artist selected for WBFO Live Concert Series
- 2008: Performer on 2008 Warped Tour Skull Candy Stage
- 2008: 'Now Hear This' feature in Billboard Magazine
- 2008: Featured Artist of the Week on Myspace Music
- 2008: "I Like It" / "DUI" peaks at #4 on College/Internet Radio Charts
- 2007: Lions Gate Movie: "Farce of the Penguins", Produced track for artist Flame
- 2007: First Place Winner - HOK Production Slam Poetry Contest
- 2006: HBO 'Unscripted' Reality Show, Produced track for artist Flame
- 2006: Lifetime Television Movie: "Officer Down", Co-Produced and wrote song for outtake: "Gang Wars"
- 2005: 4 tracks placed on ESPN debut video game ESPN Football 2K5 (800k sold) as a part of group Raw IntelESPN NFL 2K5ESPN NFL 2K5 is an American football video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports and the Sega Corporation. It is a part of the NFL 2K series. The game was originally released on July 20, 2004, for both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox video game consoles.- Features :The game...
- 2004: Starred in Documentary by Ivan Rodriguez. "The Art of Hip Hop: A Short"
- 2002: 12" single with B side deal with Velour Records-NY/Red Ink Distribution
- 2002: Reebok Nationwide Radio Promotion for RBK product branding
- 2001: Buffalo Music Awards winner for "Best Hip Hop Producer"
- 1999: Buffalo Music Awards winner for "Best Hip Hop Artist"
Studio albums
| Album information |
|---|
Raw Intel
|
| MEKA 54
Soulive Soulive is a funk/jazz trio that originated in Woodstock, New York, and is known for its solos and catchy, upbeat songs. The band consists of Eric Krasno , Alan Evans , Neal Evans... . Limited release. |
| Classics
|
| I Like It/D.U.I.
|
| Rebel Radio 45
|
| Good Evening Billy
|
| Good Morning AMY
|