Me Phi Me
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| Me Phi Me | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Flint, Michigan |
| Genre(s) | Alternative hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals (rapping) |
| Years active | 1988 - present |
Me Phi Me (born La-Ron K. Wilburn, December 8) is a multi-platinum selling rapper from Flint, Michigan. Me Phi Me is both the name of the musical group and the name of the lead performer.
Me Phi Me was the youngest of five brothers and one sister in a home filled with diverse music. As a student in high school, La-Ron admired the lyrical virtuosity of hip-hop icons. The name, Me Phi Me, began in 1987 as an homage to the venerable historically black fraternities like Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi. It quickly evolved into a definition of intelligence and individuality as outlined in his song, "...and I Believe" which features traditional frat stomp/stepping as the backbeat.
[edit] Career
Known for "positive" rap and inspirational lyrics, Me Phi Me provided an acoustic alternative to the popular gangster sound of the early 1990s.
His debut release, "ONE", from 1992 was produced by Chicago native and first cousin, Christopher Cuben-Tatum (aka Cee Tha Wizzard) of Concept Enterprises International[1]on BMG/RCA Records and featured classic funk samples from Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown, and others layered with the unprecedented use of live 12-String folk guitars, performed by John M. Falasz III, live jazz bass, traditional frat stepping or stomp, harmonica solos (Rags Murtaugh), and other unique organic instruments including the haunting Armenian Duduk as performed by Djivan Gasparyan (Gladiator).
One track from his CD "Sad New Day" became a single with a video by three time director Julien Temple, who also shot Me Phi's videos for "Black Sunshine" and "Pu' Sho Hands 2Getha" which enjoyed significant Buzz Bin play on MTV and BET.[2]
From Murfreesboro, Tennessee, southeast of Nashville, Me Phi Me saw many of the songs from ONE featured in international television synchronization, most notable being the opening and closing theme for Robert De Niro's 1993 TriBeCa television drama anthology series on FOX.[3]
In 1993, Me Phi Me's song "Revival!" was featured on the multi-platinum soundtrack to Ben Stiller's debut film about Generation X called Reality Bites.[4] In 1995, Academy Award winning director, James Cameron chose Me Phi Me's song "hereWEcome" as the theme for Jeriko One, a character in the futuristic movie, Strange Days in which Me Phi makes his big screen debut alongside actor, Glenn Plummer.[5]
Me Phi Me is married to Dominique with a step daughter, plus two biological daughters by former wife, Nannette. He actively assists his church choir in Baltimore, Maryland when not consulting at a Fortune magazine top 20 corporation.[citation needed] Me Phi Me continues to write music and rhymes with plans for the release of previously unreleased songs in 2007.
The song "Keep It Goin'" was chosen as the unofficial theme song for Robert DeNiro's Fox anthology series "Tribeca."
[edit] References
- ^ Concept Enterprises International - Mr. Christopher Cuben-Tatum, President & Founder.
- ^ "Me Phi Me presents unique message through rap." Micah McCoin, 22 January 1993, The Emory Wheel. Retrieved 15 July 2007.
- ^ "Tribeca (summary)." (html). TV.com. “The theme song "Keep It Going," which sampled James Brown's voice, was performed by hip-hop artist Me Phi Me.”
- ^ Soundtracks for Reality Bites (1994) www.imdb.com, retrieved 3 December 2006.
- ^ Soundtracks for Strange Days (1995) www.imdb.com, retrieved 3 December 2006.
