Everlast (musician)

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Everlast

Background information
Birth name Erik Schrody
Also known as Whitey Ford, White E. Ford, Mr. White
Born August 18, 1969
Origin Valley Stream, New York
Genre(s) Hip-Hop, Rock/Blues
Instrument(s) Vocals, Guitar
Years active 1988–Present

Everlast (born Erik Schrody, August 18, 1969 in Valley Stream, New York) is an Irish-American rapper and singer-songwriter, known for his genre-crossing mix of rap and acoustic-based rock music. He was the frontman for rap group House of Pain until 1996. In 2000, he won a Grammy (with Santana) for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, for the song "Put Your Lights On". As of 2006, he is a member of the hiphop supergroup La Coka Nostra.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early Days and the House of Pain

Emerging as a member of the Rhyme Syndicate, Everlast's first solo album Forever Everlasting (1990) – which was largely made possible by rapper Ice T – failed both critically and commercially. Following the album's flop, Everlast formed House of Pain with friends DJ Lethal and Danny Boy. Signed to Tommy Boy Records, the group's 1992 self-titled debut album went multi-platinum off the hit single "Jump Around". The group eventually disbanded in 1996, and Everlast once again pursued a solo career.

[edit] Solo Success

Everlast's second solo album Whitey Ford Sings the Blues (1998) – which was released a full eight years since his solo debut and after Everlast had a major heart attack – was both a commercial and critical success (selling more than 3 million copies). Whitey Ford Sings the Blues was hailed for its blend of rap with acoustic and electric guitars, developed by Everlast together with producers Dante Ross and John Gamble (aka SD50). The album's lead single "What It's Like" proved to be his most popular and successful song, although the follow up single, "Ends", also reached the rock top 10.

Despite the success of Whitey Ford Sings the Blues, Everlast's follow-up album, Eat at Whitey's (2000), failed commercially at first in the United States. However, it was eventually certified platinum. The album was also embraced critically, especially by Rolling Stone which reviewed the album between "good" and "great" and focused on it as that month's most important release.

[edit] Lyrical War

In 2000, a feud erupted between Everlast and Eminem. Eminem felt insulted by "I'll buck a 380 on those that act Shady" from Everlast's verse from the Dilated Peoples all star track "Ear Drums Pop (Remix)". He then in turn dissed Everlast several times in public and on the song "I Remember (Dedication To Whitey Ford)", mocking Everlast's rap/rock style, released as a b-side to the D12 12" vinyl single "Shit On You". Everlast then recorded the track "Whitey's Revenge" and released it on his official website. The track contained the lyric "Better run and check your kid for your DNA," referring to Eminem's daughter, Hailie. Eminem responded with the help of his group D12 on the track "Quitter", in which he took shots at Everlast and threatened to kill him if he ever mentioned Hailie's name again. However, as Everlast stated in various interviews, he felt everything was said already and he refrained from further responses.

[edit] Island/Def Jam Intermezzo

After the sale of the Tommy Boy Records catalog of master tapes to Warner Bros. Records and its metamorphosis to a dance music label, Everlast signed with Island/Def Jam. His fourth solo album, White Trash Beautiful (2004), was subsequently released after almost a four-year hiatus. The album, which had an almost country-esque feel, was failure with both fans and critics, and received mixed reviews.

[edit] The Future and La Coka Nostra

Eventually, Everlast was released from his contract and is currently unsigned. In early 2006, he has teamed up with his former House of Pain mates DJ Lethal and Danny Boy to join the hiphop supergroup La Coka Nostra and is working on the group's debut album.

Throughout his career, Everlast worked with numerous artists, including Divine Styler, Lordz Of Brooklyn, Run DMC, The X-Ecutioners, Xzibit, Carlos Santana, Swollen Members, Cypress Hill (including members DJ Muggs, B-Real and Sen Dog solo projects), Dilated Peoples, Helmet, Madonna, Sadat X, Bronx Style Bob, Casual, Cee-Lo, Prince Paul, N'Dea Davenport, Fredwreck, Kurupt, Lord Finesse, O.C., and others.

[edit] Discography

For Everlast's releases with House of Pain, please see their article.
Album cover Album information
Forever Everlasting
Whitey Ford Sings the Blues
Today (EP)
Eat at Whitey's
White Trash Beautiful

[edit] Selected Guest Appearances

  • Ice-T - "What Ya Wanna Do?" (The Iceberg, 1989)
  • The Whooliganz - "Hit The Deck" (Put Your Handz Up (Single), 1993)
  • Madonna - "Waiting (Remix)" (Rain (Maxi-Single), 1993)
  • Santana - "Put Your Lights On" (Supernatural, 1999)
  • Run DMC - "Take The Money And Run" (Crown Royal, 2001)
  • Kurupt - "Kuruption" (Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey, 2001)
  • Limp Bizkit - "Faith/Fame Remix" (New Old Songs, 2001)
  • X-Ecutioners - "B-Boy Punk Rock 2001" (Built From Scratch, 2002)
  • Muggs - "Gone For Good" (Dust, 2003)
  • The Lordz - "The Brooklyn Way" (The Brooklyn Way, 2006)
  • Swollen Members - "Put Me On" (Black Magic, 2006)

[edit] Soundtracks

  • Gravesend (1997) -- "Gravesend (Lake Of Fire)" with Lordz of Brooklyn; "Some Nights (Are Better Than Others)"
  • End of Days (1999) -- "So Long"
  • Big Daddy (1999) -- "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
  • Black & White (2000) -- "Life's A Bitch"
  • King Of The Jungle (2000) --"Love For Real (Remix)" feat. N'Dea Davenport
  • Ali (2001) -- "The Greatest"

[edit] Trivia

  • Everlast spent three months under house arrest in 1994 for possession of an illegal weapon.
  • His nearly fatal heart attack in 1998 was caused by a congenital heart defect. Everlast was only 29 at the time.
  • His alias, Whitey Ford, was named after Edward "Whitey" Ford, a New York Yankees baseball player from the 1950s.
  • Everlast converted to Islam in late 90s. For example, at the end of the song "Put Your Lights On", he sings "La ilaha illa Allah" ("there is no god except God") which is the first part of the Islamic creed, the Shahadah.
  • The album Eat at Whitey's was originally intended to be titled "The Salty Cracker."
  • Everlast supports the Free Palestine movement.

[edit] External links

House of Pain
Everlast | DJ Lethal | Danny Boy
Albums: House of Pain | Same As It Ever Was | Truth Crushed To Earth Shall Rise Again
Compilations: Shamrocks & Shenanigans - The Best Of House Of Pain and Everlast
See also: La Coka Nostra
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