Kwamé
Encyclopedia
Kwamé Holland is an American
emcee
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.
, Lionel Hampton
, and Abdullah Ibrahim
, who were family friends.
Kwamè was 16 when he released his debut album Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring A New Beginning in 1989, which was produced by him and executive produced by Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. A New Beginning was his backing band and Kwamé was one of the rare emcees at the time to use a live band. 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 started a hip hop fashion
trend as fans began wearing polka-dotted clothing. In 1990, his second album A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure also produced by Kwame, was released. It was a concept album
about a day in the life of
a high school
student. The album spawned the hit singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue." Holland is a cousin of Vin Diesel
, who danced in some of his early music videos.
In 1992, he released his third album Nastee. Now 18, Kwamé tried an image change by 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. His fourth album, 1994's Incognito failed to chart. That same year, Kwamé became a punch line
in The Notorious B.I.G.
's popular song "Unbelievable":
The lyric was a major blow to Kwamé's esteem and career as he suddenly became an object of ridicule in the hip-hop community. But in 2002, Kwamé reemerged as a music producer nicknamed "K-1 Million." He worked for many artists such as LL Cool J
, Mary J. Blige
and Dru Hill
. In 2004, he had a major success as the co-producer (with Eminem
) of Lloyd Banks
' smash hit song "On Fire". In 2005, he had even more success with Will Smith
's single "Switch
". He continues to work steadily as a producer and has since returned to using his real name.
New R&B/Hip Hop singer Jamie Jones started a form of introduction to Kwamé's production by whispering "Shhh, Kwamé did it," which can be heard on Fantasia
's song "Not the Way That I Do" from her self-titled second album, Raven-Symone's fourth studio album
, Jesse McCartney "Makeup" from his album Departure
, and recently, Skillz
with "Sick," from his album The Million Dollar Backpack
.
Kwamé has scored scenes for the film Step Up
, as well as Step Up 2 the Streets
, Dancing in September
, and Stomp the Yard
. The song "Let's Go," featured on Step Up 2, is unavailable on the internet, despite the thorough searching of many fans.
To date, he has produced and contributed to records selling over 30 million copies.
Kwamé holds music workshop
s for children and has worked with various youth organizations, including his wife Tamekia Flowers Holland's non profit Hip Hop 4 life
.
In 2008, Kwamé launched his independent record label
Make Noise!!!! featuring Rockaway Queens NY rapper Beyond Belief and NY/LA/MIA based Female rap duo Nola Darling
Currently Kwame is scoring music on Vin Deisels's episodic directorial Debut "The Ropes" Produced by FOX and is Crafting the "sound" for Atlantic Recording artist Lauriana Mae. Both set to release mid 2012.
Kwame also Lauched a website dedicated to his "other" passion,Toys,Comic books and Pop culture .WWW.GEEKMODEONLINE.COM
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
emcee
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”...
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
As a child, Kwamè was inspired by Stevie WonderStevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy...
, and Abdullah Ibrahim
Abdullah Ibrahim
Abdullah Ibrahim , born Adolph Johannes Brand, 9 October 1934 in Cape Town, South Africa, and formerly known as Dollar Brand, is a South African pianist and composer...
, who were family friends.
Kwamè was 16 when he released his debut album Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring A New Beginning in 1989, which was produced by him and executive produced by Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. A New Beginning was his backing band and Kwamé was one of the rare emcees at the time to use a live band. The album spawned the singles "The Man We All Know and Love" and "The Rhythm." The accompanying music videos featured a polka-dot motif
Motif (art)
In art, a motif is an element of a pattern, an image or part of one, or a theme. A motif may be repeated in a design or composition, often many times, or may just occur once in a work. A motif may be an element in the iconography of a particular subject or type of subject that is seen in other...
in the costumes and production design. This was to become Kwamé's trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
and started a hip hop fashion
Hip hop fashion
Hip hop fashion is a distinctive style of dress originating with African American youth on the scene of New York City, Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, Detroit, Memphis, Atlanta, St. Louis, Jersey City, Miami, Toronto and Vancouver among others. Each city...
trend as fans began wearing polka-dotted clothing. In 1990, his second album A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure also produced by Kwame, was released. It was a concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
about a day in the life of
Day in the life of
Day in the life of is a device often used in fiction, such as books films, plays and TV shows, showing the events that happen to the character over a day...
a high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
student. The album spawned the hit singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue." Holland is a cousin of Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel is an American actor, writer, director and producer. He became known in the early 2000s, appearing in several successful Hollywood films, including The Fast and the Furious and xXx...
, who danced in some of his early music videos.
In 1992, he released his third album Nastee. Now 18, Kwamé tried an image change by discarding the polka-dots and writing more sexually charged lyrics in contrast to his previously playful, intellectual
Intellectual
An intellectual is a person who uses intelligence and critical or analytical reasoning in either a professional or a personal capacity.- Terminology and endeavours :"Intellectual" can denote four types of persons:...
persona. The title track was a minor hit but the album quickly fell from the charts. His fourth album, 1994's Incognito failed to chart. That same year, Kwamé became a punch line
Punch line
A punch line is the final part of a joke, comedy sketch, or profound statement, usually the word, sentence or exchange of sentences which is intended to be funny or to provoke laughter or thought from listeners...
in The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
's popular song "Unbelievable":
The lyric was a major blow to Kwamé's esteem and career as he suddenly became an object of ridicule in the hip-hop community. But in 2002, Kwamé reemerged as a music producer nicknamed "K-1 Million." He worked for many artists such as LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
and Dru Hill
Dru Hill
Dru Hill is an American singing group, most popular during the late 1990s, whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and gospel music. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, and active since 1992, Dru Hill recorded seven Top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B #1 hits "In My Bed", "Never Make a Promise", ...
. In 2004, he had a major success as the co-producer (with Eminem
Eminem
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...
) of Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
' smash hit song "On Fire". In 2005, he had even more success with Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
's single "Switch
Switch (song)
"Switch" is a single released in 2005 by Will Smith from his album Lost & Found. The song peaked at No. 7 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. It reached No. 1 in Canada and Australia where it remained for one week and No. 4 in the United Kingdom...
". He continues to work steadily as a producer and has since returned to using his real name.
New R&B/Hip Hop singer Jamie Jones started a form of introduction to Kwamé's production by whispering "Shhh, Kwamé did it," which can be heard on Fantasia
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Monique Barrino commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which...
's song "Not the Way That I Do" from her self-titled second album, Raven-Symone's fourth studio album
Raven-Symoné (album)
- Thick Girls, Big Girls - EP :An extended play of left-over songs from the album was released free of charge on the iTunes Store on June 6, 2009.-Leftover Tracks:...
, Jesse McCartney "Makeup" from his album Departure
Departure (Jesse McCartney album)
Departure is the third studio album by American recording artist Jesse McCartney. It was released on May 20, 2008, through Hollywood Records. The album was re-released on April 7, 2009, under the name Departure: Recharged...
, and recently, Skillz
Skillz
Shaquan Lewis, also known as Mad Skillz, Skillz, is an American rapper known for his acclaimed 1996 album From Where???, a reference to his origins in Virginia, not the stereotypical New York City or Los Angeles rapper, and he's also known for his yearly "Rap Ups", which he has done since...
with "Sick," from his album The Million Dollar Backpack
The Million Dollar Backpack
The Million Dollar Backpack is the third studio album by rapper Skillz, formerly known as Mad Skillz. It was released on July 22, 2008 on Koch Records and distributed by Big Kidz Entertainment. The first single off the album was "So Far So Good" featuring Common and Talib Kweli. It is the follow-up...
.
Kwamé has scored scenes for the film Step Up
Step Up (film)
Step Up is a 2006 American dance/romance film directed by Anne Fletcher starring Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.Set in Baltimore, Maryland, the film follows the tale of the disadvantaged Tyler Gage and the privileged modern dancer Nora Clark , who find themselves paired up in a showcase that...
, as well as Step Up 2 the Streets
Step Up 2 the Streets
Step Up 2: The Streets is the 2008 sequel to the 2006 film Step Up from Touchstone Pictures. It was directed by Jon Chu, and choreographed by Jamal Sims, Hi-Hat and Dave Scott...
, Dancing in September
Dancing in September
Dancing in September is a 2000 television film starring Isaiah Washington and Nicole Ari Parker.-Plot:It focused on a black television producer , who works for a major network, and the troubles she faces in her environment, mainly painting a positive portrayal of Blacks in the media.-Cast:*Nicole...
, and Stomp the Yard
Stomp the Yard
Stomp the Yard is a 2007 drama and dance film produced by Rainforest Films and released through Sony Pictures' Screen Gems division on January 12, 2007. Directed by Sylvain White, Stomp the Yard centers around DJ Williams, a college student at a fictional historically Black university who pledges...
. The song "Let's Go," featured on Step Up 2, is unavailable on the internet, despite the thorough searching of many fans.
To date, he has produced and contributed to records selling over 30 million copies.
Kwamé holds music workshop
Workshop
A workshop is a room or building which provides both the area and tools that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods...
s for children and has worked with various youth organizations, including his wife Tamekia Flowers Holland's non profit Hip Hop 4 life
Hip Hop 4 Life
Hip Hop 4 Life is a 501 c not-for-profit youth empowerment organization dedicated to engaging, educating and empowering young people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Health professionals, entertainers, celebrities and athletes are enlisted to educate young people on health issues through interactive...
.
In 2008, Kwamé launched his independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
Make Noise!!!! featuring Rockaway Queens NY rapper Beyond Belief and NY/LA/MIA based Female rap duo Nola Darling
Currently Kwame is scoring music on Vin Deisels's episodic directorial Debut "The Ropes" Produced by FOX and is Crafting the "sound" for Atlantic Recording artist Lauriana Mae. Both set to release mid 2012.
Kwame also Lauched a website dedicated to his "other" passion,Toys,Comic books and Pop culture .WWW.GEEKMODEONLINE.COM
Albums
- Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New BeginningKwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*art direction – Bob Defrin*choir – B. Flat, Curt D.I.S.S., M.A.D. Scratches, The Sharp, Speaker of the House*chorus – B. Flat, Curt D.I.S.S., M.A.D...
(1989) - A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure (1990)
- Nastee (1992)
- Incognito (1994, Ichiban RecordsIchiban RecordsIchiban Records was a hip hop record label founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1985. Wrap Records and Nastymix Records were some of its subsidiary labels. Urgent! Records was distributed by Ichiban. Most of its discography is now out of print. Besides hip hop groups, Ichiban also released albums by...
)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot R&B | US Hot Rap Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
|||
| 1989 | "The Man We All Know and Love" | 33 | 2 | Kwamé the Boy Genius Featuring A New Beginning |
| "The Rhythm" | 57 | 2 | Kwamé the Boy Genius Featuring A New Beginning | |
| "Ugotz 2 get Down" | - | 7 | Kwamé the Boy Genius Featuring A New Beginning | |
| "Sweet Thang" | - | 20 | Kwamé the Boy Genius Featuring A New Beginning | |
| 1990 | "Ownleeeue" | 33 | 2 | A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure |
| "Oneovdabigboiz" | 40 | 3 | A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure | |
| 1991 | "Hai Love" | 94 | 17 | A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure |
| 1992 | "Nastee" | - | 16 | Nastee |
| "Can U Feel It" | - | - | Nastee | |
| 1994 | "? It Like" | - | - | Incognito |
Production
- Algebra Blessett "Halfway" "Run & Hide" "Can I Keep You"
- Lady MayLady MayLady May is an American rapper from New York City's suburbs.May was born in the 1980s and grew up listening to Elton John, Duran Duran and Michael Jackson...
featuring Blu CantrellBlu CantrellBlu Cantrell is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter.-Biography:Tiffany Cobb was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1976. Her father was a Narragansett Native American and Cape Verdean, and played in the National Basketball Association...
, "Round Up" - Mary J Blige, "L.O.V.E."
- LL Cool JLL Cool JJames Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, "10 Million Stars," "Throw Ya L’s Up," "And the Winner Is" - Dru HillDru HillDru Hill is an American singing group, most popular during the late 1990s, whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and gospel music. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, and active since 1992, Dru Hill recorded seven Top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B #1 hits "In My Bed", "Never Make a Promise", ...
, "No Doubt" - Nick CannonNick CannonNicholas Scott "Nick" Cannon is an American actor, comedian, rapper, entrepreneur, record producer, radio, and television personality. On television, Cannon began as a teenage sketch comedian on All That before going on to host The Nick Cannon Show, Wild 'N Out, and America's Got Talent...
, "Scared of You" - Lloyd BanksLloyd BanksChristopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
, "On Fire" (co-produced by Eminem) - JoJo, "Breezy"
- Jin, "So Afraid"
- TweetTweet (singer)Tweet is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter.-Early years:The youngest child of Tom and Shirley Keys, Tweet was born in Rochester, New York on January 21, 1972, and grew up singing in the church along with her parents and her four older siblings...
, "Turn da Lights Off," "We Don’t Need No Water" - Joe BuddenJoe Budden-Early life:Budden was born in Spanish Harlem, but lived in Queens until he was 12 and from there moved to Jersey City, New Jersey. He is one of five boys...
, "Roll Your Backyard" - Red CafeRed CafeJermaine Denny , better known as his stage name Red Café, is an American rapper. He was born to Afro-Guyanese parents and is signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik, Diddy's Bad Boy Records and DJ Clue's Desert Storm label.-Biography:...
, "All Night Long," "Rap Chic" - Will SmithWill SmithWillard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
, "Switch" - Teairra MaríTeairra MaríTeairra Maria Thomas , better known by her stage name Teairra Marí, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, model, and dancer. At the age of 16, she was signed to Def Jam and released her first album, Teairra Marí. After disappointing sales, she was let go from her recording contract in the...
, "New Shit," "No Daddy (Remix)" - The Pussycat Dolls, "Bite the Dust"
- Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, "Understand" - ChingyChingyHoward 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...
"Let's Ride," "Relax" - Method ManMethod ManClifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
"Fall Out," "OD," "4 Ever" - Yung JocYung JocYaMar Jon Robinson , better known by his stage name Yung Joc, is an American rapper.-Early life:Robinson's father, Vivian Young, ran a hair-care products company and helped him write a jingle for Revlon; Robinson founded his own label to release his music.-New Joc City :After Teaming with producer...
featuring 3LW3LW3LW was an American hip hop soul and R&B girl group that enjoyed a number of modest hits during the early 2000s. Its founding members were Naturi Naughton, Adrienne Bailon, and Kiely Williams. Jessica Benson later replaced Naughton after she left the group in 2002...
"’Bout It" - Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
"Listen!!!" - MýaMya-A person:* Bo Mya , Chief Commander of the Karen National Union* Mýa , American R&B singer-songwriter and actress** Mýa , a 1998 album by Mýa-A code:* Burmese language, ISO 639-3 code is mya* Moruya Airport's IATA code...
"I Am" - Fantasia "Not the Way I Do"
- Raven-SymonéRaven-SymonéRaven-Symoné Christina Pearman , known professionally as Raven-Symoné , or simply Raven, is an American actress, singer, songwriter, comedian, dancer, television producer and model. Symoné launched her successful career in 1989 after appearing in The Cosby Show as Olivia...
"That Girl" and "Green" - Jesse McCartneyJesse McCartneyJesse McCartney is an American singer-songwriter, actor and voice actor. McCartney achieved fame in the late 1990s on the daytime drama All My Children as JR Chandler. He later joined boy band Dream Street, and eventually branched out into a solo musical career...
"Makeup" and "Think About It" - Raheem DeVaughnRaheem DeVaughnRaheem DeVaughn is an American singer and songwriter. His debut album, The Love Experience , reached No. 46 on the Billboard 200 album chart. It featured the singles "Guess Who Loves You More" and "You". His second album Love Behind the Melody was released in January 2008...
"Friday (Shut the Club Down)" - Beyond Belief "Dont Touch," "Bigger Checks" (feat. Red CafeRed CafeJermaine Denny , better known as his stage name Red Café, is an American rapper. He was born to Afro-Guyanese parents and is signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik, Diddy's Bad Boy Records and DJ Clue's Desert Storm label.-Biography:...
) - Jessica MauboyJessica MauboyJessica Hilda Mauboy , is an Indigenous Australian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. In 2006, Mauboy was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol, she had auditioned for the talent show in Alice Springs to pursue a recording career...
"Up/Down-Let it Go" - SkillzSkillzShaquan Lewis, also known as Mad Skillz, Skillz, is an American rapper known for his acclaimed 1996 album From Where???, a reference to his origins in Virginia, not the stereotypical New York City or Los Angeles rapper, and he's also known for his yearly "Rap Ups", which he has done since...
"Sick" - Tony YayoTony YayoMarvin Bernard , better known by his stage name Tony Yayo, is a Haitian American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit...
"Candy Man" - Keyshia ColeKeyshia ColeKeyshia Myeshia Cole Gibson born October 15, 1981) is an American singer–songwriter and actress. She gained nationwide acclaim when her 2005 debut album, The Way It Is went platinum. Her sophomore album Just Like You went into production shortly after that and was released in September 2007...
No Other - MainoMainoMaino is an American rapper from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York.-Early life:...
"Bring It Back DJ" - Tray J/Chasity "Thrown"
- SkillzSkillzShaquan Lewis, also known as Mad Skillz, Skillz, is an American rapper known for his acclaimed 1996 album From Where???, a reference to his origins in Virginia, not the stereotypical New York City or Los Angeles rapper, and he's also known for his yearly "Rap Ups", which he has done since...
"Regular Guy" - Jawan Harris "Keisha"