Keith Murray (rapper)

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Keith Murray
Background information
Birth name	Keith Murray
Born	September 13, 1974 (1974-09-13) (age 33)
Origin	Brooklyn/Long Island, New York
Genre(s)	Hip Hop
Years active	1993–present
Label(s)	Jive, Def Jam, Koch

Keith Murray (born on September 13, 1974 in Central Islip, New York) is a rapper and a member of the rap trio Def Squad, which includes fellow rappers Redman and Erick Sermon.

Contents 1 Personal life 2 Music career 3 Criminal History 4 Discography 4.1 Main Albums 4.2 Compilations 5 References

[edit] Personal life

Keith Murray had a rough childhood. Both of his parents used intravenous drugs. Both died when Murray was young. When Murray was in eighth grade, his father died from cirrhosis of the liver. His mother later died from AIDS. His sister would also die from AIDS. In 2001, Murray married publicist Tammy Brook. He has since divorced. Currently Murray is managed by Mary Sierra.

[edit] Music career

Before Keith Murray ever recorded an album, he battled Big Daddy Kane, a man widely considered to be one of the greatest MCs of all time. At that time, Murray went by the name of MC Do Damage. Murray did not win the battle, but he did earn the respect of Kane. Later, Murray would be introduced to Erick Sermon of EPMD by K-Solo. Sermon would feature Murray on his album No Pressure. Murray quickly established himself as one of the most creative lyricists in the industry with his first album The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World, released in 1994 on Jive Records. The title track from this album remains Murray's biggest solo hit. This album was given 4 mics by The Source.

Murray's second album Enigma was released in 1996 on Jive. It received similar ratings from critics, but it was not quite as commercially successful as the previous album. In 1998, The Def Squad covered "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang. They would later release their own album,El Niño (album). Murray's third album It's a Beautiful Thing was released in 1999 while he was in prison. Like the previous album, it received relatively good reviews, but it showed yet another drop in sales. Murray also appeared on the song "Home Alone" by R. Kelly. In 2001, Murray's return to the music industry was announced with a memorable verse on "Fatty Girl." This song was featured on The Good Life, a compilation of songs for Fubu.

While he was in prison, Murray began writing for his next solo album. Upon his release, he would leave Jive and sign with Def Jam. He's Keith Murray was released in 2003. Murray claims to have chosen this title because the album represents him, but many fans saw it as an obvious attempt at crossover success because of singles like "Candy Bar" featuring Patti Austin. The album also featured the single "Yeah, Yeah U Know It." This song has guest appearances from fellow Def Squad members Redman and Erick Sermon. Murray dedicated "Christina" to his sister. That same year, Murray was featured on the video game Def Jam Vendetta.

In 2004,he was featured in mantis's song Day By Day which was about street life and children. It was very emotional and touching in which means we should change the world^{[citation needed]}.

He released his fifth solo album Rap-Murr-Phobia July 31 2007 release.It debuted at number 52 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 13,000 copies in its first week ^[1]. The lead single is "Nobody Do It Better" featuring Tyrese & Junior.

Keith Murray's vocals/crowd hyping appears on the song "Elektrobank" by the Chemical Brothers from their album "Dig You Own Hole"

[edit] Criminal History

Keith Murray is infamous for his extensive criminal record. In 1995, he was charged and convicted of second-degree assault stemming from a bar fight in New Britain, Connecticut. Murray allegedly struck sixteen year old David Hughes with a stool after members of Murray's posse had already knocked Hughes unconscious.^[2] Hughes was said to be trying to break up a fight between his brother and members of Murray's crew. After failed appeals, Murray fled. He finally turned himself in in 1998. He was sentenced to five years, but he only served 33 months. Murray still says that he is innocent. He gained the support of many fellow artists including LL Cool J and Britney Spears.^[3] Unfortunately, his legal troubles did not end here. He also was fired from Def Jam after allegedly choking a fellow street team member in 2004. Keith Murray has been hit with a lawsuit stemming from a stabbing at Webster Hall in New York last year. The lawsuit was filed in Kings County Court in Brooklyn, New York, claiming that the rapper allegedly stabbed a fan during a concert in the early morning hours of Christmas day of 2004.^[4]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Main Albums

Album information
The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World Released: November 8, 1994 Billboard 200 chart position: #34 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #5 Sales: 465,000 Units Last RIAA Certification: Gold Singles: "The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World"/"Herb Is Pumpin'", "Get Lifted"
Enigma Released: November 26, 1996 Billboard 200 chart position: #39 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #6 Sales: 300,000 Units Singles: "The Rhyme"/"Yeah"
It's A Beautiful Thing Released: January 12, 1999 Billboard 200 chart position: #39 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #9 Sales: 150,000 Units Singles: "Incredible"
He's Keith Murray Released: April 29, 2003 Billboard 200 chart position: #40 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #11 Sales: 60,000 Units Singles: "Yeah Yeah U Know It"/"Oh my goodness","Candy Bar"
Rap-Murr-Phobia (The Fear of Real Hip-Hop) Released: July 31, 2007 Billboard 200 chart position: #52 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #7 Sales: 180,000 Units[citation needed] Singles: "Nobody Do It Better" feat. Tyrese & Junior, "Weeble Wobble," "Hustle On"
Intellectual Violence Release Date: April 22, 2008 Billboard 200 chart position: Singles: "Pen Life"

[edit] Compilations

Album information
The Most Beautifullest Hits Released: August 10, 1999 Label: Jive

[edit] References

Junior Myspace Music Profile[1]