Iamsu!

Sudan Ahmeer Williams (born November 17, 1989) is an American rapper and record producer, better known by his stage name Iamsu! (sometimes stylized IAmSu!). He is also a member of the production team The Invasion and the leader of the hip hop group The HBK Gang. Iamsu! has released various mixtapes in his career including Suzy 6 Speed, Million Dollar Afro with frequent collaborator Problem and the Kilt series. He is also known for featuring on LoveRance's "Up!", E-40's "Function", and Sage the Gemini's "Gas Pedal". He is set to release his debut studio album Sincerely Yours during April 2014.

Early life

Iamsu! was born Sudan Ahmeer Williams in Richmond, California on November 17, 1989. At a young age he would listen to artists such as Kanye West, R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Marching Band, The Grammar Band and reggae music. At age 14 he began making music. Around that time he was "always playing with instruments and messing around with music." Once he attended high school he started learning how to make beats on the computer.^[1] After graduating from Pinole Valley High School in 2007, he begun college at Cal State East Bay, studying to be a Communications major. Once he started getting recognized he moved to online classes, however he went back to in-class schooling for his senior year.^[3][1]

Musical career

2009-2012: Beginnings

Iamsu! started rapping under the name Su, but he would change it to Iamsu! due to search engine optimization.^[4] He released his first mixtape Su! The Right Thing on July 4, 2010. In late 2011, Iamsu! produced, co-wrote and featured on LoveRance's 2011 hit "Up!" which included rapper 50 Cent on a remix that peaked at number 46 on the Billboard's Hot 100 and reached 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[2][5] He followed that with an appearance on E-40's hit song "Function" along with Problem and YG. The song peaked at number 62 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[6] Later in 2012 he would also be featured on Jonn Hart's "Who Booty" and Wiz Khalifa's "Bout Me".^[5]

2012-2013: $uzy 6 Speed, Million Dollar Afro and Kilt II

On October 2, 2012 Iamsu! put his previous mixtapes Kilt, Young California and Su! The Right Thing up for retail sale on iTunes. This would begin a trend where all his new mixtapes would also be released to iTunes.^[7][8] On November 12, 2012 Iamsu! released another mixtape $uzy 6 Speed, featuring guest appearances by Juvenile, Problem and Wiz Khalifa. It contained the single "Mobbin'" and received critical acclaim upon release.^[9][3][10] On February 13, 2013 Iamsu! and Problem, who he had met for the first time at the "Function" video shoot, released a collaboration mixtape titled Million Dollar Afro.^[11] The mixtape would be praised by Tom Breihan of Stereogum and Spin named the mixtape one of the best rap releases of 2013.^[12][13] It featured guest appearances by Juvenile, King L, Bad Lucc, Too Short, Omarion, Short Dawg, and Wiz Khalifa among others.^[14] Following the release of the mixtape he toured with Problem on the 10-stop "Million Dollar Afro Tour".^[11] On March 5, 2013 Spin named Iamsu! the tenth "Hottest MC in the Game".^[15]

In May 2013 Iamsu! begun his first headlining tour, in promotion of his then upcoming mixtape Kilt II.^[3] On June 6, 2013, Iamsu! released Kilt II as a retail mixtape, for free and to iTunes on July 9, 2013.^[16] Production was primarily handled by Iamsu! along with other members of The Invasion.^[17] Pitchfork Media gave the mixtape a 7.5 out of 10 rating saying, the mixtape "doubles down on all of his strongest and most likeable qualities: Largely self-produced, high-energy, and creative, it shows Iamsu! continuing to transform from a promising, agreeable Bay Area rap figure into a burgeoning star."^[18][4] Spin would also praise the mixtape saying, "As much a showcase of Iamsu!'s production prowess as it is evidence of his unique lyrical skills, the new tape is an enjoyably bumpy ride through treble-y bleeps, bassy bloops, tinny drums, and hard-hustling vocals."^[19] Following its release he told HipHopDX he was working with Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz on their upcoming albums Blacc Hollywood and B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time. He would make an appearance on the song "Livin" from B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time.^[20]

2013-present: Debut album

Iamsu! was also featured on Sage the Gemini's "Gas Pedal" which peaked at number 29 on the Hot 100, making it both artist's first top 40 entries and their most successful single to date. On August 12, 2013 Iamsu! and his group HBK Gang released a compilation mixtape titled Gang Forever.^[21] On December 3, 2013, Iamsu! released "Hipster Girls as the second single from Kilt II.^[22]

On January 3, 2014, Iamsu! released a remix to YG's "Who Do You Love" where he hinted at being signed and not planning to release his debut album. Then on January 7, 2014, Iamsu! announced that his debut studio album would be titled Sincerely Yours and be released in April 2014. He also confirmed that the first single would feature Sage the Gemini and it would be released soon.^[23] In January 28, 2014, he released the album's first single "Only That Real" featuring Sage the Gemini and 2 Chainz.^[24]

Discography

Studio albums

Mixtapes

Singles

As lead artist

As featured performer

Guest appearances

References

External links

• Official website
• Iamsu! on Twitter