Spot (rapper/producer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Spot | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Harkeem James |
| Also known as | Spiez The Don |
| Born | August 8, 1984 |
| Origin |  Brooklyn, New York U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Rap, Hip-Hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, Songwriter, Producer |
| Years active | 2005 - present |
| Label(s) | King Day Records/Czar Entertainment |
| Associated acts | The Game, Papoose, Jim Jones, Gucci Mane Akon, Rick Ross, Mario Winans |
| Website | kingspot.com kingdayrecords.com |
Spot (born Raymont James in New York, New York on August 8, 1984) is an American rapper signed to record label, King Day Records and is managed by Czar Entertainment.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Raymont James was born in New York, New York. The eldest son of Jamaican and Guyanese parents, Spot initially lived in many different parts of New York. As a child James and his family relocated to Coney Island, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. A talented yet troublesome child, Spot traveled the country playing basketball with top AAU clubs during his preteen years alongside several future NBA players, before quitting basketball in his teens. After a family split, Spot eventually moved to Harlem between late 2000 and early 2001.
Spot has described growing up in the projects as "vicious"[1], and his music makes mentions of his bouts with homelessness, and vaguely of his past involvement in the illegal drug trade.
[edit] Music
Spot first came into the public view in 2003, when the then-unknown 18 year old teamed with Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond and Bryce Wilson to kick start newly formed music company Czar Enertainment. With Czar signing a distribution deal with Sony Music Group, Spot seemed primed to release an album, although he had just began rapping and producing.[2] A fast learner in the studio, Spot began working with major label artist of various genres, including Lil Kim, Mario Winans, Miri Bin-Ari, Foxy Brown, Black Rob, El Debarge and even working on a posthumous Notorious B.I.G. album. Just as fast Spot appeared on the scene, he then disappeared.
Reappearing in January 2006, Spot was once again a hot item appearing on mixtapes and mixshow playlist across the nation. He then dropped the extremely well-received mixtape The Good Son. Alongside former DJ, now Atlantic Records Director of A&R Sickamore, The Good Son featured collaborations with Jim Jones, Papoose and production from Just Blaze, the SupaSonics and Spot himself. Reportedly moving north of 25,000 copies, this mixtape established Spot as one of top newcomers in the music business.
After touring the country with the likes of Akon, David Banner and D4L and performing at various infamous NY prisons including Rikers Island and Arthur Kills Maximum Penitentiary, Spot made history becoming the first rapper to promote a mixtape on MTV when he appeared on Sucka Free (formerly Direct Effects)[3] to promote his second foray into the mixtape game, A Dollar & A Dream.
Packaged as a street album, A Dollar & A Dream was a success worldwide, even garnering the best album ratings of the year by one French publication. [4] Introducing the world to a then-unsigned Serius Jones and featuring music from top international producers, A Dollar & A Dream produced an international mixshow hit in "Way We Ride." After selling out, the mixtape was heavily bootlegged, and countless song ideas and lines were borrowed by more established hip hop acts.
In addition the previous accomplishments, Spot has performed the theme songs for a platinum DVD series (The Infamous Times), a syndicated television show (Hip Hop Hold 'Em) and contributed music to both MTV (various programming) and BET (50 Shots - Police Brutality).
Currently working on his debut retail project, Spot is reportedly on the verge of a groundbreaking deal with a major record company. [5]
[edit] Mixtape Albums
| Album Cover | Album Information |
|---|---|
A Dollar & A Dream
|
| Album Cover | Album Information |
|---|---|
The Good Son
|
[edit] Albums
| Album Cover | Album Information |
|---|---|
A Breath Away
|
[edit] Videos
- The PJs - (Wyclef Jean)
- God Is On My Side - (Spot)
- Any Other Night - (Sharissa)
[edit] References
- ^ HipHopGame Online. Spot Interview. Retrieved on 28 August, 2006.
- ^ Allhiphop.com. Czar Signs Deal With Sony. Retrieved on 19 July, 2003.
- ^ mtv.com. Spot & Cipha On MTV. Retrieved on 5 May, 2006.
- ^ lehiphop.com. A Dollar & A Dream. Retrieved on 26 September, 2006.
- ^ sohh.com. Atlantic Records A&R. Retrieved on 8 March, 2007.
