Kwamé

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Kwamé
Also known as K-1 Million, K1 Mil
Genres Hip hop, R&B, Pop
Occupations Rapper, Producer
Years active 1988–1994, 2001–present
Labels Atlantic Records
Associated acts Skillz, Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera, LL Cool J, Fantasia

Kwamé Holland (born 1973) is an American emcee who enjoyed brief popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is currently a music producer sometimes credited as K-1 Million or K1 Mil.

Biography

Kwamé was 16 when he released his debut album Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring a New Beginning in 1989, which was produced by him and Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. A New Beginning was his backing band and Kwamé was one of the rare emcees at the time to use a live band. The album spawned the singles "The Man We All Know and Love" and "The Rhythm." The accompanying music videos featured a polka-dot motif in the costumes and production design. This was to become Kwamé's trademark, and it started a hip hop fashion trend as fans began wearing polka-dotted clothing.[1][2] In 1990, his second album A Day in the Life: a Pokadelick Adventure also produced by Kwamé, was released. It was a concept album about a day in the life of a high school student. The album spawned the hit singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue."[1] Holland is a cousin of Vin Diesel, who danced in some of his early music videos.[3]

In 1992, he released his third album, Nastee. Now 18, Kwamé tried an image change by discarding the polka-dots and writing more sexually charged lyrics in contrast to his previously playful, intellectual persona. The title track was a minor hit but the album quickly fell from the charts.[4] His fourth album, 1994's Incognito failed to chart.[1][4]

In 2000, Kwamé reemerged as a music producer Sometimes nicknamed K-1 Million. He worked with many artists, such as LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera. In 2004, he had a major success as the co-producer (with Eminem) of Lloyd Banks' smash hit song "On Fire."[1] In 2005, he had even more success with Will Smith's single "Switch".[1] As a producer, Kwamé sold over 30 million records.

Kwamé also scores and provides music for film and TV. Some film credits include Drumline, Step Up 1 & 2, Stomp the Yard, Freedom Writers, The Comebacks, Coach Carter, Fantastic Four, to name a few.[citation needed]

Kwamé is currently crafting the sound for Atlantic Records recording artist Lauriana Mae, and has also joined the classic hip hop group the Alumni (Hip Hop Elite), which is composed of Chubb Rock, Dana Dane, Special Ed, and Monie Love.

In 2012, Kwamé teamed up with Vin Diesel to help score his web series The Ropes. He also formed the boutique label Make Noise, which features the artist Beyond Belief, which released its debut album in 2009 titled What About Bob?.

In 2012, Kwamé released an instrumental album on his Make Noise label that was titled Break Beat Diaries.

Kwamé is an avid toy collector and also has a company and Web site called www.Geekmodeonline.com, which showcases original content and all things comic book-related.

Discography (As an Artist)

Albums

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot R&B US Hot Rap
1989 "The Man We All Know and Love" 33 2 Kwamé the Boy Genius Featuring A New Beginning
"The Rhythm" 57 1
"Ugotz 2 get Down" — 7
"Sweet Thang" — 20
1990 "Ownleeeue" 33 1 A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure
"Oneovdabigboiz" 40 3
1991 "Hai Love" 94 17
1992 "Nastee" 68 16 Nastee
"Can U Feel It" — —
1994 "? It Like" — 20 Incognito

Discography (As a Producer)

Selected production discography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Hall, Rashaun (2004-10-07). "Lloyd Banks, Eminem Help Kwame Set The Polka Dots 'On Fire'". MTV.com. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
  2. ↑ The Fly Guy (2007-07-20). "Express Yourself: The Genius Of Kwamé". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
  3. ↑ "In Tha Background: Kwame - Once dissed by Biggie... But Now?". HipHopDX.com. 2002-09-06. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Paine (2004-07-07). "Kwame: Nobody’s Laughing". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2008-05-05. 
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