20Bello

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20Bello
[1]
Rapper 20Bello
Origin Washington, D.C.
Years active 1991-present
Genres Rap
Labels SkinnyFatz

Gene Cobb Jr. is an African-American hip-hop artist commonly known by his rap name 20Bello in Washington, DC.

Contents

[edit] Early life

20Bello AKA Gene Cobb Jr. was born in Washington, DC in 1976. Shortly after birth, his father was sentenced to 13 years to life for murder and his mother quickly adopted the use of drugs and alcohol to ease the burden. At a young age 20 became very angry and depressed, partially due to the fact that his father was gone and his family had to live in shelters.

20 began his life of crime at the age of twelve. He was arrested for grand larceny and served two months in Virginia detention center. From that point on he became the defendant in multiple court cases ranging from possession and distribution of crack cocaine to simple and armed robbery.

Though street life was what he lived for, he never spoke much of his ability to write, paint and draw. He would sometimes find a quiet place to just sit and write or draw whatever was around him. In 1991 because of 20’s talents and the urging of one of his Jr. High School teachers, 20 were accepted into Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Though the acceptance was God sent, the trouble he would get into ranging from carrying guns to school, fighting, and coming to school high, wasn’t. As a result of tough love and encouragement from Duke Ellington’s Principal Mr. Davis, 20 miraculously made it through high school.

After graduation it was back to the streets, starting with being arrested for distribution of crack cocaine, his third drug charge. Exactly one month later, on September 10, 1994, during the commission of an armed robbery, DC Police shot 20 at point blank range in the abdomen. After being shot he kneeled down in the middle of Marlboro Pike, just down the street from his SE home. Not having the wind or strength to go on, he lay there bleeding to death. Seeing one of his accomplices walking away from the scene, he tried to call out for help. All he received was silence. Looking up out of the corner of his left eye he saw a dark figure running over to him. There was silence again and then 20 were shot a second time in the chest.

After two months on life support, learning to walk and talk again, four years of incarceration and two bullet wounds, later he is trying to make his mark in this music industry as a solid writer, rapper and producer. In 2003, 20Bello and his partner Kibwe “Katt” Galloway started SkinnyFatz Entertainment and have already made great strides towards success.

[edit] Career

  • CEO of The P.T.A. and Skinnyfatz Entertainment, Artist and music producer
  • Also the founder of DMVundaground, a site dedicated to DC, MD & VA Artists, DJ’s Producers, Labels, etc.
  • Co-Founder and CEO of Phamly Tize Affiliated (THE P.T.A.), an artist membership organization

[edit] Discography

[edit] Performances

  • Numerous showcases across the U.S.
  • Virginia Music Conference
  • The CUT, NY, Island Café,
  • Main Event, winning the UFC Freestyle Championship,
  • Winning the B&K Idol Showcase (went up against 40 other rappers),
  • Atlantic Records “The Series” Competition Finalist
  • and many more appearances.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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