Young Chris
Encyclopedia
Young Chris is a Grammy nominated American
rapper and songwriter
. A member of Philadelphia rap
trio Young Gunz
, formerly signed to Roc-A-Fella records through Beanie Sigel
’s State Property
collective, early success included the hit single "Can't Stop, Won't Stop
". Signed in December 2010 as a solo artist to Universal Motown through producer/songwriter Rico Love
’s label imprint Division1, Young Chris is currently working on his album release. Because of identical names (minus a spelling difference), he is often confused with rapper Yung Chris
and incorrectly credited as the performer of the song Racks
(born Hanif Muhammad) had been friends since they were young boys on the block(C-Ave). On "Takeover
", a track from his 2001 album “The Blueprint
”, Jay-Z
announced the duo as "Chris & Neef".
In 2001, the duo performed on the State Property
soundtrack album. Young Chris and Neef starred in the titular movie. Also during this period of their career, Young Chris appeared throughout Dame Dash's Dream Team compilation, and Beanie Sigel's The Reason. The duo performed together on guest appearances for albums like Jay-Z's The Blueprint 2, Freeway's Philadelphia Freeway
, State Property's The Chain Gang Vol. 2
, and Memphis Bleek's M.A.D.E.
; all while recording their album. The Young Gunz scored their first hit with "Can't Stop, Won't Stop
", the lead-off single from The Chain Gang Vol. 2
album. Its song and video received major airplay on hip-hop radio, MTV2
, and BET
and reached #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200
chart and #6 on the Billboard
Hot Rap Tracks chart.
After the success of their single, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop
", the label jumped and was ready to release their debut album, Tough Luv
. It included the remix to "Can't Stop, Won't Stop", which featured St. Louis rapper Chingy
. Singles included "No Better Love" featuring former Roc-A-Fella Records
crooner Rell
and the Just Blaze
-produced "Friday Night". Tough Luv
debuted on the Billboard 200
at #3 after selling 128,000 copies in its first week. That week, the album at #2 was labelmate Kanye West
's debut album The College Dropout
, which was released just two weeks earlier.
After a brief hiatus, the duo returned with Swizz Beatz
produced "Set It Off
" from their second album, Brothers from Another
. It was the second release from the "new" Roc-A-Fella Records
, referencing when Jay-Z
became president of Def Jam Records, the first being Memphis Bleek
's 534
. The album debuted on the Billboard 200
at #15, and included guest features from Kanye West
, Swizz Beatz
, Slim of 112
and John Legend
.
magazine that he wanted to release a solo album by the end of 2008 and had been "95 percent done" by June 2008. In this article, Young Chris also states that he feels himself up there with Lil' Wayne and Juelz Santana
. Since this time, Chris has taken to the internet to solidify himself as a top solo artist, with his YoungChris.com Social Network, hitting the remix circuit, and his much anticipated "The Network" Mixtape series, hosted by DJ Don Cannon.
In December 2010 Young Chris signed with Division1, a label started by songwriter/producer Rico Love
, under the Universal Motown umbrella. Love considers Young Chris his flagship artist, working closely with Young Chris on his debut album and pre-album/mixtape. The mixtape, called "The Re-Introduction", was released on November 20, 2010. The aptly titled mixtape gives the spotlight to a newly signed Young Chris, as a solo artist, and also, re-introduces the combination of DJ Drama
and Don Cannon
, the former "Affiliates" partners, hosting their first mixtape together, in several years.
On January 28, a song called "Philly Shit (Mega Mix)" featuring Young Chris, Eve
, Black Thought
, Money Malc, Fat Joe
, Fred The Godson, Diggy Simmons
, Jermaine Dupri
& The Game was leaked. On March 22, 2011, Young Chris’ single “A$$ets” was commercially released.
" was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. A member of Philadelphia rap
Rap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
trio Young Gunz
Young Gunz
The Young Gunz is an American rap duo from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania composed of Young Chris and Neef Buck . The group is part of Beanie Sigel's State Property collective and was signed to Roc-A-Fella Records...
, formerly signed to Roc-A-Fella records through Beanie Sigel
Beanie Sigel
Dwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...
’s State Property
State property
State property is property owned by the state anything registered with the "state" becomes 'State property'. Such property may also referred to crown property...
collective, early success included the hit single "Can't Stop, Won't Stop
Can't Stop, Won't Stop (Young Gunz song)
"Can't Stop, Won't Stop" is a Grammy-nominated song performed by American hip hop duo Young Gunz, as members of Philadelphia hip hop group State Property. A remix version appeared on the Young Gunz' debut album Tough Luv, featuring Chingy, and was also featured on The Roots live album The Present...
". Signed in December 2010 as a solo artist to Universal Motown through producer/songwriter Rico Love
Rico Love
Richard Preston Butler, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rico Love, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Love wrote and produced hit records such as Usher’s "There Goes My Baby" and "Hey Daddy ”, Nelly's "Just a Dream" and "Gone", Beyoncé Knowles' "Sweet Dreams"...
’s label imprint Division1, Young Chris is currently working on his album release. Because of identical names (minus a spelling difference), he is often confused with rapper Yung Chris
Yung Chris
Christopher Miller , better known by his stage name Yung Chris , is an American rapper from Decatur, Georgia. He is currently signed to the record label Universal Republic....
and incorrectly credited as the performer of the song Racks
Racks (song)
"Racks" is the debut single by American rapper YC featuring vocals from rapper Future. It was released for digital download in the United States on May 20, 2011.- Remix :...
Young Gunz
Young Chris and Neef BuckNeef Buck
Neef Buck is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Career:He is one half of the Grammy Award-nominated rap duo Young Gunz. Additionally, Neef Buck is a part Beanie Sigel's rap group State Property...
(born Hanif Muhammad) had been friends since they were young boys on the block(C-Ave). On "Takeover
Takeover
In business, a takeover is the purchase of one company by another . In the UK, the term refers to the acquisition of a public company whose shares are listed on a stock exchange, in contrast to the acquisition of a private company.- Friendly takeovers :Before a bidder makes an offer for another...
", a track from his 2001 album “The Blueprint
The Blueprint
The Blueprint is the sixth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released September 11, 2001 on Roc-A-Fella Records in the United States. Its release was set a week earlier than initially planned in order to combat bootlegging. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2001 at Manhattan...
”, Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
announced the duo as "Chris & Neef".
In 2001, the duo performed on the State Property
State Property (soundtrack)
State Property is the soundtrack to the 2002 film, State Property, and the debut album by the rap group, State Property. The album was a success, making it to 14 on the Billboard 200, 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and 2 on the Top Soundtracks, and spawned one single "Roc the Mic", which was a...
soundtrack album. Young Chris and Neef starred in the titular movie. Also during this period of their career, Young Chris appeared throughout Dame Dash's Dream Team compilation, and Beanie Sigel's The Reason. The duo performed together on guest appearances for albums like Jay-Z's The Blueprint 2, Freeway's Philadelphia Freeway
Philadelphia Freeway
Philadelphia Freeway was the debut album from Philadelphia rapper Freeway. It was released under Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. The most successful single was "What We Do" which featured Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. Another single that was released was "Flipside" which featured Peedi Crakk...
, State Property's The Chain Gang Vol. 2
The Chain Gang Vol. 2
The Chain Gang Vol. 2 is the second album by rap group State Property. It was released in 2003. Young Gunz' "Can't Stop Won't Stop" was later nominated for the 2003 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy Award.The album sold 296,000 units...
, and Memphis Bleek's M.A.D.E.
M.A.D.E.
M.A.D.E. is the third studio album by rapper Memphis Bleek. It was released on December 16, 2003 and at best it reached #35. The album sold 150,000 copies in its first week, which was a record for Memphis Bleek....
; all while recording their album. The Young Gunz scored their first hit with "Can't Stop, Won't Stop
Can't Stop, Won't Stop (Young Gunz song)
"Can't Stop, Won't Stop" is a Grammy-nominated song performed by American hip hop duo Young Gunz, as members of Philadelphia hip hop group State Property. A remix version appeared on the Young Gunz' debut album Tough Luv, featuring Chingy, and was also featured on The Roots live album The Present...
", the lead-off single from The Chain Gang Vol. 2
The Chain Gang Vol. 2
The Chain Gang Vol. 2 is the second album by rap group State Property. It was released in 2003. Young Gunz' "Can't Stop Won't Stop" was later nominated for the 2003 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy Award.The album sold 296,000 units...
album. Its song and video received major airplay on hip-hop radio, MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
, 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...
and reached #14 on the U.S. 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...
chart and #6 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Rap Tracks chart.
After the success of their single, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop
Can't Stop, Won't Stop (Young Gunz song)
"Can't Stop, Won't Stop" is a Grammy-nominated song performed by American hip hop duo Young Gunz, as members of Philadelphia hip hop group State Property. A remix version appeared on the Young Gunz' debut album Tough Luv, featuring Chingy, and was also featured on The Roots live album The Present...
", the label jumped and was ready to release their debut album, Tough Luv
Tough Luv
Tough Luv is the debut album by Philadelphia rap-duo Young Gunz, released February 24, 2004. "Can't Stop Won't Stop" was later nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group". There are numerous guest appearances by other Roc-A-Fella Records artists of that time on this...
. It included the remix to "Can't Stop, Won't Stop", which featured St. Louis rapper Chingy
Chingy
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...
. Singles included "No Better Love" featuring former Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
crooner Rell
Rell
Gerrell Gaddis , known by his stage name Rell, is an American R&B singer. He was the first male R&B singer signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, where he recorded with artists such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, Consequence, and Young Gunz....
and the Just Blaze
Just Blaze
Justin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Blaze is also the CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment. He is most well known for producing Jay-Z songs on the albums The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, and The Black Album. He is also known for...
-produced "Friday Night". Tough Luv
Tough Luv
Tough Luv is the debut album by Philadelphia rap-duo Young Gunz, released February 24, 2004. "Can't Stop Won't Stop" was later nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group". There are numerous guest appearances by other Roc-A-Fella Records artists of that time on this...
debuted on 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...
at #3 after selling 128,000 copies in its first week. That week, the album at #2 was labelmate Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's debut album The College Dropout
The College Dropout
The College Dropout is the debut album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released February 10, 2004, on Roc-A-Fella Records. It was recorded over a period of four years, beginning in 1999. Prior to the album's release, West had worked on rapper Jay-Z's The Blueprint , which showcased his...
, which was released just two weeks earlier.
After a brief hiatus, the duo returned with Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
produced "Set It Off
Set It Off
Set It Off is a 1996 action and crime film directed by F. Gary Gray, and stars Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Kimberly Elise , as four close friends in Los Angeles, California who decide to plan and execute a bank robbery...
" from their second album, Brothers from Another
Brothers From Another
Brothers from Another is the second studio album by Philadelphia rap-duo Young Gunz, released on May 24, 2005. After a brief hiatus, the duo returned with Swizz Beatz produced "Set It Off."...
. It was the second release from the "new" Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
, referencing when Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
became president of Def Jam Records, the first being Memphis Bleek
Memphis Bleek
Malik Thuston Patrick Cox , better known by his rap persona of Memphis Bleek or "Bleek", is a New York rapper mainly known for his tenure with Roc-a-Fella Records and CEO of his own label Get Low Records...
's 534
534
Year 534 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Iustinianus and Paulinus...
. The album debuted on 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...
at #15, and included guest features from Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
, Slim of 112
112 (band)
112 is an American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia. Formerly artists on Diddy's Bad Boy Records, the group signed to the Def Soul roster in 2002. They had great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as "Only You", "Anywhere" and "Peaches & Cream"...
and John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
.
Solo career
As early as March 2006, Young Chris thought about recording a solo album. He initially titled it Now or Never. He stated to XXLXXL
XXL may refer to:* XXL , in London, UK* XXL , an American hip-hop magazine* Penny Market XXL, a Romanian hypermarket chain-Film and television:* XXL , a French comedy* XXL , an adult TV station-Music:...
magazine that he wanted to release a solo album by the end of 2008 and had been "95 percent done" by June 2008. In this article, Young Chris also states that he feels himself up there with Lil' Wayne and Juelz Santana
Juelz Santana
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"...
. Since this time, Chris has taken to the internet to solidify himself as a top solo artist, with his YoungChris.com Social Network, hitting the remix circuit, and his much anticipated "The Network" Mixtape series, hosted by DJ Don Cannon.
In December 2010 Young Chris signed with Division1, a label started by songwriter/producer Rico Love
Rico Love
Richard Preston Butler, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rico Love, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Love wrote and produced hit records such as Usher’s "There Goes My Baby" and "Hey Daddy ”, Nelly's "Just a Dream" and "Gone", Beyoncé Knowles' "Sweet Dreams"...
, under the Universal Motown umbrella. Love considers Young Chris his flagship artist, working closely with Young Chris on his debut album and pre-album/mixtape. The mixtape, called "The Re-Introduction", was released on November 20, 2010. The aptly titled mixtape gives the spotlight to a newly signed Young Chris, as a solo artist, and also, re-introduces the combination of DJ Drama
DJ Drama
Tyree Cinque Simmons better known as DJ Drama is an American hip hop artist and the official DJ for Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I.....
and Don Cannon
Don Cannon
Donald Cannon is an American record producer and DJ. At the age of five, Donald Cannon began his musical career with his first a set of turntables, a mixer and a karaoke machine...
, the former "Affiliates" partners, hosting their first mixtape together, in several years.
On January 28, a song called "Philly Shit (Mega Mix)" featuring Young Chris, Eve
Eve
Eve is the first woman created by God in the Book of Genesis.Eve may also refer to:-People:*Eve , a common given name and surname*Eve , American recording artist and actress-Places:...
, Black Thought
Black Thought
Tariq Trotter , better known as Black Thought, is an American hip-hop artist who is the lead MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots and occasional actor...
, Money Malc, Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
, Fred The Godson, Diggy Simmons
Diggy Simmons
Daniel Dwayne Simmons III , better known by his stage name Diggy Simmons or simply as Diggy, is an American rapper and the fourth child of Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons...
, Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
& The Game was leaked. On March 22, 2011, Young Chris’ single “A$$ets” was commercially released.
Awards and Nominations
"Can't Stop, Won't StopCan't Stop, Won't Stop (Young Gunz song)
"Can't Stop, Won't Stop" is a Grammy-nominated song performed by American hip hop duo Young Gunz, as members of Philadelphia hip hop group State Property. A remix version appeared on the Young Gunz' debut album Tough Luv, featuring Chingy, and was also featured on The Roots live album The Present...
" was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards.