Locksmith (rapper)

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Locksmith
Also known as Lock
Origin Richmond, California
Genres West Coast hip hop
Occupations Rapper
Years active 2001 - present
Labels IMGMI, Landmark Entertainment, BluRoc Records
Associated acts E-A-Ski, Grind Time West Coast, The Frontline, E-40
Website Locksmith
Locksmith (dalocksmith) on Twitter
Locksmith (rapper) on Myspace

Locksmith is a rapper of Iranian- (Persian) and African-American descents[1] from Richmond, California. He is one half of the underground duo The Frontline.

Biography

Graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, Locksmith began his professional career under the tutelage of Bay Area producer EA-Ski[2] and with Frontline partner Left. His first gained mainstream notice in 2003 when he made it to the final round in the MTV's Freestyle Battle Championship. After qualifying locally at an event hosted by Bay Area radio station KMEL, Lock flew mostly under the radar until he made it to the final round to battle Reignman. Controversy erupted following the announcement that Locksmith had finished second to Reignman in internet and phone votes, though the official voting figures were never revealed by MTV.[3] He has also battled on Grind Time Now, against such acts as Dizaster, Jonny Storm and more. He has since 2010 been retired from battle rapping. After Locksmith's defeat on MTV, The Frontline released their debut album Who R You/Now U Know in 2005, followed by Lock & Left in 2007. The group has enjoyed regional success in their native Bay Area, particularly on KMEL. Locksmith's first solo single "Rare Form" was released in August 2009 and gained nationwide attention for lyrics aimed at Kanye West and Lil Wayne.[4] A second single, "Man Up", began receiving airplay on KMEL in July 2010. The song is expected to appear on Locksmith's solo debut free album, I Am Lock. Most recently he has teamed up with Ski-Beatz who produced an entirety of his latest album "Embedded" which was just released on November 18, 2011. He is currently working on an album, titled "The Green Box".[5]

Battle rapping

Locksmith has continued to battle rap on GrindTimeNow. To date, he has battled the likes of Dizaster, Passwurdz, Daylyt, and Jonny Storm. However, Locksmith has recently been on hiatus from battle rapping to work on his upcoming album and making music, produced by EA-Ski.

Discography

Studio albums

  • I Am Lock (2011)
  • Labyrinth (2012)
  • The Green Box (2013)

Extended Plays

  • The Rare Form EP (2009)

Collaboration albums

  • Embedded[6] (with Ski Beatz) (November 15, 2011)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Locksmith (rapper).

References

  1. ↑ RapReviews.com "Locksmith Interview" 9 June 2009 (accessed 25 July 2010)
  2. ↑ HipHopDX.com "E-A-Ski Comments On Protege Locksmith, Album" 1 April 2009 (accessed 25 July 2010)
  3. ↑ East Bay Express "New Bay Incarnate" 2 February 2005 (accessed 25 July 2010)
  4. ↑ The Smoking Section "Locksmith - 'Rare Form' video" 20 August 2009 (accessed 25 July 2010)
  5. ↑ Twitter 29 October 2012 (accessed 24 November 2012)
  6. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyRcLWpg-Eg&feature=channel_video_title
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