Juelz Santana
Encyclopedia
LaRon Louis James better known by his stage name
Juelz Santana, is an American
rapper
, producer, and actor. He appeared on Cam'ron
's 2002 singles, "Oh Boy
" and "Hey Ma". In 2003, his debut album From Me to U
was released by Def Jam Recordings; his next album What the Game's Been Missing!
contained the top-ten single "There It Go (The Whistle Song)
".
and raised in the Harlem
neighborhood of Uptown, Manhattan. He began rapping at the age of three and at age twelve started duo Draft Pick, which was signed to Priority Records
. In 2000, at the age of 16, he made a guest performance on a track on Cam'ron
's album S.D.E. and eventually joined The Diplomats
.
, also known as Dipset, to Roc-a-Fella Records in 2002, there was an influence of mixtape
s, features on other artists' records, television and radio interviews, in which Juelz achieved mainstream recognition not previously gained through the various Diplomat mixtapes, and his solo mixtape Final Destination, that was sold in late 2002. After being featured on fellow Diplomat member Cam'ron
's two singles, "Hey Ma
" and "Oh Boy
". Juelz started working on his debut album. In the summer of 2003, Santana released his debut album, From Me To U
, which was certified Gold. From Me to U peaked at #8 in the Billboard 200
. "Dipset (Santana's Town)" peaked #70 in the U.S. Billboard.
followed in 2005 with the singles "Mic Check
", "There It Go (The Whistle Song)
", "Oh Yes
", "Clockwork
," "Shottas", and "Make It Work For Ya" Feat. Young Jeezy
and Lil Wayne
. "There It Go" reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts; "Oh Yes" reached #56 on the Hot 100 and #8 on the Rap charts. "Mic Check" reached 35 in the Billboard Hot 100
. Both this album and single "There It Go" were certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
.
. In 2010, he released the second single titled, "Back to the Crib
" featuring Chris Brown. In April 2010, Cam'ron and Jim Jones announced they ended their feud. In June 2010, the Dipset reunion began with a teaser titled "Under Construction" and a street single, "Salute" produced by Araabmuzik. The song features Jim Jones
, Cam'ron
, and Juelz Santana. The remix features new Diplomat artist Vado with a verse added. Since the reunion it is not yet known if or when Juelz will release the album. But it is known that he is working on a new album with The Diplomats
. Recently Santana tweeted "I will give people that people wants Reagan Era in the studio" so that means that we can wait a new album for 2011.
Santana was arrested February 2, 2011, and charged with possession of a firearm, possession of a handgun without a permit, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. Santana posted $125,000 bail.
On March 22, 2011, Juelz Santana missed a performance at Chris Brown's record release party for his album F.A.M.E., New York Police stopped the rapper and searched him for guns and drugs. While no one was arrested, Santana was not allowed to enter the building during the search. This caused him to miss his entire performance with Chris Brown. Juelz' lawyer Joe Wunstop told The New York Post that police stopped Santana because members of his entourage "might be affiliated, friends bring friends and he's really friendly"
Official mixtapes
Collaboration albums
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:...
Juelz Santana, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
, producer, and actor. He appeared on Cam'ron
Cam'ron
Cameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
's 2002 singles, "Oh Boy
Oh Boy (song)
"Oh Boy" is the title of a number-one, Grammy nominated Hip hop single by rapper Cam'ron from his album Come Home with Me. It features rapper Juelz Santana....
" and "Hey Ma". In 2003, his debut album From Me to U
From Me To U
From Me to U is the debut album by the American Hip-Hop rapper Juelz Santana, released on August 19, 2003. The album was seen as the introspective introduction of the rapper to mainstream entertainment...
was released by Def Jam Recordings; his next album What the Game's Been Missing!
What the Game's Been Missing!
What the Game's Been Missing! is the second studio album by rapper Juelz Santana. The album was released on November 22, 2005 on Diplomat Records and Def Jam Recordings...
contained the top-ten single "There It Go (The Whistle Song)
There It Go (The Whistle Song)
"There It Go " is the second single by American rapper Juelz Santana from his second studio album What the Game's Been Missing!. It is one of his most successful and well known singles to date. It is his highest-charting single to date, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is the fourth...
".
1983-2001: Early life and early career
Santana was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and raised in the Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
neighborhood of Uptown, Manhattan. He began rapping at the age of three and at age twelve started duo Draft Pick, which was signed to Priority Records
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
. In 2000, at the age of 16, he made a guest performance on a track on Cam'ron
Cam'ron
Cameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
's album S.D.E. and eventually joined The Diplomats
The Diplomats
The Diplomats, also popularly known as Dipset, are a Harlem-based hip hop group founded by Cam'ron and Jim Jones in 1997. The original members of the group were Cam'ron, Freekey Zekey, and Jim Jones ; who all grew up together in Harlem...
.
2002–2004: Final Destination and From Me To U
After the signing of The DiplomatsThe Diplomats
The Diplomats, also popularly known as Dipset, are a Harlem-based hip hop group founded by Cam'ron and Jim Jones in 1997. The original members of the group were Cam'ron, Freekey Zekey, and Jim Jones ; who all grew up together in Harlem...
, also known as Dipset, to Roc-a-Fella Records in 2002, there was an influence of mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
s, features on other artists' records, television and radio interviews, in which Juelz achieved mainstream recognition not previously gained through the various Diplomat mixtapes, and his solo mixtape Final Destination, that was sold in late 2002. After being featured on fellow Diplomat member Cam'ron
Cam'ron
Cameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
's two singles, "Hey Ma
Hey Ma (song)
"Hey Ma" was the second single released from Cam'ron's third album Come Home with Me. The song featured Juelz Santana, Freekey Zekey and Toya and was produced by the Tuneheadz, who used a sample of The Commodores 1977 hit, "Easy"....
" and "Oh Boy
Oh Boy (song)
"Oh Boy" is the title of a number-one, Grammy nominated Hip hop single by rapper Cam'ron from his album Come Home with Me. It features rapper Juelz Santana....
". Juelz started working on his debut album. In the summer of 2003, Santana released his debut album, From Me To U
From Me To U
From Me to U is the debut album by the American Hip-Hop rapper Juelz Santana, released on August 19, 2003. The album was seen as the introspective introduction of the rapper to mainstream entertainment...
, which was certified Gold. From Me to U peaked at #8 in the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. "Dipset (Santana's Town)" peaked #70 in the U.S. Billboard.
2005-2006: What the Game's Been Missing!
What the Game's Been Missing!What the Game's Been Missing!
What the Game's Been Missing! is the second studio album by rapper Juelz Santana. The album was released on November 22, 2005 on Diplomat Records and Def Jam Recordings...
followed in 2005 with the singles "Mic Check
Mic Check
"Mic Check" is the first single by rapper Juelz Santana from his second studio album What the Game's Been Missing!.The song samples "The Roots Mural Theme" by Quincy Jones.-Charts:...
", "There It Go (The Whistle Song)
There It Go (The Whistle Song)
"There It Go " is the second single by American rapper Juelz Santana from his second studio album What the Game's Been Missing!. It is one of his most successful and well known singles to date. It is his highest-charting single to date, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is the fourth...
", "Oh Yes
Oh Yes
"Oh Yes" is the third single by rapper Juelz Santana from his second studio album What the Game's Been Missing!.The song samples The Carpenters' cover version of the song "Please Mr. Postman", originally performed by The Marvelettes.-Charts:...
", "Clockwork
Clockwork (song)
"Clockwork" is the fourth single by Juelz Santana from his second studio album What the Game's Been Missing!.The video for the song was directed by Dale "Rage" Resteghini-Charts:...
," "Shottas", and "Make It Work For Ya" Feat. Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
and Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. "There It Go" reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts; "Oh Yes" reached #56 on the Hot 100 and #8 on the Rap charts. "Mic Check" reached 35 in the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. Both this album and single "There It Go" were certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
.
2007-present: Born to Lose, Built to Win and Dipset reunion
Since 2007, Santana has been recording material for his third album, Born to Lose, Built to Win. Shortly after recording began, Santana released a promo single, "The Second Coming", produced by Just Blaze. After a two year hiatus, he released a new song, "Days of Our Lives", with two accompanying music videos featuring cameos from Skull Gang. In late 2009 he released the first single off Born to Lose, Built to Win, "Mixin' Up the Medicine" featuring YelawolfYelawolf
Michael Wayne Atha , better known by his stage name YelaWolf, is an American rapper. He is currently signed to Shady Records, Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment and Interscope Records...
. In 2010, he released the second single titled, "Back to the Crib
Back to the Crib
"Back to the Crib" is the second single by American songwriter and rapper Juelz Santana for his third album Born to Lose, Built to Win. It features American singer-songwriter Chris Brown in their second collaboration together since Chris Brown's "Run It!" in 2005...
" featuring Chris Brown. In April 2010, Cam'ron and Jim Jones announced they ended their feud. In June 2010, the Dipset reunion began with a teaser titled "Under Construction" and a street single, "Salute" produced by Araabmuzik. The song features Jim Jones
Jim Jones (rapper)
Joseph Guillermo Jones II , better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American rapper and original member of The Diplomats, also known as Dipset. He is Co-CEO of Diplomat Records...
, Cam'ron
Cam'ron
Cameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
, and Juelz Santana. The remix features new Diplomat artist Vado with a verse added. Since the reunion it is not yet known if or when Juelz will release the album. But it is known that he is working on a new album with The Diplomats
The Diplomats
The Diplomats, also popularly known as Dipset, are a Harlem-based hip hop group founded by Cam'ron and Jim Jones in 1997. The original members of the group were Cam'ron, Freekey Zekey, and Jim Jones ; who all grew up together in Harlem...
. Recently Santana tweeted "I will give people that people wants Reagan Era in the studio" so that means that we can wait a new album for 2011.
Legal Issues
In January 2011 Juelz Santana's Bergenfield, New Jersey Recording Studio was raided, after a 10-month investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and Gang Unit.Santana was arrested February 2, 2011, and charged with possession of a firearm, possession of a handgun without a permit, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. Santana posted $125,000 bail.
On March 22, 2011, Juelz Santana missed a performance at Chris Brown's record release party for his album F.A.M.E., New York Police stopped the rapper and searched him for guns and drugs. While no one was arrested, Santana was not allowed to enter the building during the search. This caused him to miss his entire performance with Chris Brown. Juelz' lawyer Joe Wunstop told The New York Post that police stopped Santana because members of his entourage "might be affiliated, friends bring friends and he's really friendly"
Discography
Studio albums- 2003: From Me to UFrom Me To UFrom Me to U is the debut album by the American Hip-Hop rapper Juelz Santana, released on August 19, 2003. The album was seen as the introspective introduction of the rapper to mainstream entertainment...
- 2005: What the Game's Been Missing!What the Game's Been Missing!What the Game's Been Missing! is the second studio album by rapper Juelz Santana. The album was released on November 22, 2005 on Diplomat Records and Def Jam Recordings...
- TBA: Born to Lose, Built to Win
Official mixtapes
- 2002: Final Destination
- 2004: Back Like Cooked Crack Pt. 1
- 2005: Back Like Cooked Crack Pt. 2
- 2006: Back Like Cooked Crack Pt. 3
- 2011: Reagan Era
Collaboration albums
- 2003: Diplomatic ImmunityDiplomatic Immunity (album)Diplomatic Immunity is the debut album by The Diplomats, released on March 25, 2003. After the release of group leader Cam'ron's third album, Come Home With Me, the quartet teamed up to release their first collaborative effort...
(with The DiplomatsThe DiplomatsThe Diplomats, also popularly known as Dipset, are a Harlem-based hip hop group founded by Cam'ron and Jim Jones in 1997. The original members of the group were Cam'ron, Freekey Zekey, and Jim Jones ; who all grew up together in Harlem...
) - 2004: Diplomatic Immunity 2Diplomatic Immunity 2-Charts:...
(with The DiplomatsThe DiplomatsThe Diplomats, also popularly known as Dipset, are a Harlem-based hip hop group founded by Cam'ron and Jim Jones in 1997. The original members of the group were Cam'ron, Freekey Zekey, and Jim Jones ; who all grew up together in Harlem...
) - 2009: Skull Gang (with Skull GangSkull GangSkull Gang is a rap group formed in 2007 by Harlem rapper Juelz Santana the group is most known for their mixtapes Jim Jones & Skull Gang Present a Tribute to Bad Santa & Juelz Santana Presents Skull Gang: Takeover. Skull Gang released their debut album with the help of Juelz Santana entitled...
) - TBA: Diplomatic Immunity 3 (with The DiplomatsThe DiplomatsThe Diplomats, also popularly known as Dipset, are a Harlem-based hip hop group founded by Cam'ron and Jim Jones in 1997. The original members of the group were Cam'ron, Freekey Zekey, and Jim Jones ; who all grew up together in Harlem...
) - TBA: I Can't Feel My Face (with Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
)
Filmography
- State Property 2State Property 2State Property 2 is a 2005 American crime film directed by Damon Dash and produced and distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment. A sequel to 2002's State Property, the film stars rap artists and other musicians such as Cam'ron, The Diplomats, Beanie Sigel, N.O.R.E., Kanye West, Mariah Carey and...
(2005) - Killa Season (2006)
- Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff(2009)
- The Project (2011)
- Video Girl (2011)