Seagram Miller

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Seagram
Birth name	Seagram Miller
Born	1970
Origin	Oakland, California, United States
Died	July 31st, 1996
Genre(s)	Gangsta Rap, West Coast rap
Occupation(s)	Rapper
Years active	1990-1996
Label(s)	Rap-A-Lot Records
Associated acts	Gangsta P, Too $hort, Scarface, Spice 1, Yukmouth

Seagram Miller (born 1970 - died July 31st, 1996) was a West Coast gangsta rapper from Oakland, California.

In the Bay Area hip hop scene he was known for his song The Ville about his notorious neighborhood, the East Oakland's 69 Ville housing projects. Later, he became the first West Coast rapper to be signed to Houston-based Rap-A-Lot Records. Miller released three albums in his lifetime: The hard-edged and violent The Dark Roads and the more typically laid-back west coast style Reality Check. 1997's Souls on Ice was posthumously released after Miller's murder and captures Miller in top form before his untimely death.

His lyrics were violent but rather intelligent with vivid depictions of gangsta lifestyle given in explicit detail. Seagram is also one of the first rappers to do an entire song in the izzle slang entitled Straight Mobbin from his album The Dark Roads.

The one incident that stood out most for many involved within the Bay Area hip hop scene occurred when he and Houston rapper Mike G bum rushed a show at SF's DNA Lounge. They weren't scheduled to appear, but Miller showed up with a DAT in his hand and made it clear that he wanted to do a five minute set. His request was granted as he and Mike G hit the stage to do what wound up being the best performance of the night.

The circumstances surrounding Seagram's death aren't too clear. Apparently Seagram was in an area known as The Twomps, Oakland, California in the early hours of the morning when an unknown gunman emerged from the darkness and shot at Seagram's partner Gangsta P. Seagram tried to shield Gangsta P and thus took the bullets that mortally wounded him. Gangsta P was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

At Miller's funeral, thousands showed up to pay their respects.

[edit] Discography

Album cover	Album information
	The Dark Roads Released: 1993 RIAA Certification: ? Billboard 200 chart position: ? Rap/Hip-Hop chart position: ? Singles: The Ville
	Reality Check Released: 1995 RIAA Certification: ? Billboard 200 chart position: ? Rap/Hip-Hop chart position: ? Singles: Eastside
	Souls on Ice Released: 1997 RIAA Certification: ? Billboard 200 chart position: ? Rap/Hip-Hop chart position: ? Singles: If The World Was Mine