Currensy

Curren$y
Background information
Birth name Shante Scott Franklin
Also known as Spitta Andretti
Born April 4, 1981
Origin New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper
Years active 2002–present
Labels Jet Life, Atlantic (current)
No Limit, Cash Money, Young Money, Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam, Warner Bros. (former)
Associated acts Jet Life, Soulja Slim, Wiz Khalifa, Ski Beatz, Young Roddy, Trademark Da Skydiver, The Alchemist, Harry Fraud, Styles P, Smoke DZA, Fiend, Lil Wayne, 504 Boyz
Website www.currensyspitta.com

Shante Scott Franklin (born April 4, 1981), better known by his stage name Curren$y is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Music career

No Limit and Young Money

In 2002, Curren$y was signed to Master P's No Limit Records and was a member of the 504 Boyz. The song "Get Back"[1] by 504 Boyz Produced by Donald XL Robertson made it to the Malibu's Most Wanted soundtrack. Curren$y appeared on 5 songs in Master P's Good Side, Bad Side album, released in 2004.[2] Even though he was signed with No Limit, he represented C-Murders TRU label. Curren$y has several songs with incarcerated friend C-Murder, and was featured on the late Soulja Slim's album, Years Later.

Later on in 2004, Curren$y signed with Cash Money Records and Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment. He featured in Lil Wayne's Dedication, Dedication 2, The Suffix and several unreleased songs while with Young Money. He released a mixtape entitled Welcome Back in 2004. He was featured in Lil Wayne's "Grown Man" on Tha Carter II. While still at Young Money, Curren$y created Fly Society with skateboarder Terry Kennedy, first as a clothing company, then expanding to release music. He released the song, "Where da Cash At" as the lead single for his Young Money debut, Music To Fly To, in 2006, but had to deal with several push-backs and lack of promotion. In 2007, another mixtape was released entitled Life at 30,000 Feet. He remained with Young Money until late 2007. For several months throughout 2008, Curren$y released a series of mixtapes.

2009: This Ain't No Mixtape and Jet Files

Curren$y signed with Amalgam Digital to release his debut album, This Ain't No Mixtape, in 2009.[3] This album was entirely produced by Monsta Beatz. Curren$y also released his second album, Jet Files, through Amalgam Digital in 2009.[4] Amalgam Digital released physical copies of This Ain't No Mixtape and Jet Files on May 31, 2010.

2010: Pilot Talk and Pilot Talk II

Curren$y's third album, Pilot Talk, was released on July 13, 2010. The album featured guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Big K.R.I.T. and Mos Def, amongst others, with most of the songs produced by Ski Beatz. Prior to the album's release, there was news of Pilot Talk being released under a newly relaunched Roc-A-Fella Records.[5] However, Curren$y stated in interviews with both XXL and Complex Magazine that the album would be released under Damon Dash's DD172 record label division, BluRoc Records[6][6][7][8] and distributed through Def Jam Recordings. Curren$y made numerous appearances on labelmate Ski Beatz' debut studio album, 24 Hour Karate School, which was released on September 21, 2010. Curren$y's fourth album, Pilot Talk II, was released on November 22, 2010,[9] which featured Fiend and Raekwon, among others, with many of the songs produced by Ski Beatz.[10] 2010 also saw the release of mixtape Smokee Robinson with DJ Don Cannon.

2011: Weekend at Burnie's

On February 1, 2011, it was announced that Curren$y signed a label deal with Warner Bros. Records for his imprint, Jet Life Recordings.[11] Covert Coup was his first project on his Jet Life Recordings imprint under Warner Bros. Released for free via Curren$y's official website on April 20, the album contains ten songs completely produced by The Alchemist.[12] He released a mixtape, Weekend at Burnie's on June 28, 2011, featuring his Jet-Life anthem "#JetsGo", which was produced by Rahki. The rest of the mixtape was produced by frequent collaborator Monsta Beatz.[13] In 2011, Curren$y and his Jet Life crew released the album Jet World Order, under Jets International / iHipHop. Every track on this album features Young Roddy and Trademark da Skydiver. Frequent collaborators of Curren$y are also featured on this album, including Smoke DZA, The Cool Kids' Mikey Rocks, Cornerboy P, Fiend, Street Wiz, and Nesby Phips. Curren$y himself appears on three tracks.

2012–2013: The Stoned Immaculate and Live in Concert

On November 10, 2011, Curren$y announced through Twitter the release of a new album. Muscle Car Chronicles, a 2-Disc set, was released on February 14, 2012. Curren$y also plans on releasing Pilot Talk III in 2013, and mentioned the possibility of it being a free album. In February 2012, Curren$y released the EP Here..., and a few days later released another EP #The1st28 with Styles P.

On April 21, 2012 the track listing for The Stoned Immaculate was released.[14] In July 2012, Curren$y released the EP featuring all production by Harry Fraud, Cigarette Boats. On October 31, 2012 he released the mixtape Priest Andretti.

He will release a new tape with Wiz Khalifa, titled Live in Concert.[15] In November 2012 Curren$y gave an update on his and Wiz Khalifa's mixtape Live in Concert saying its release is being held up by sample issues.[15] In January 2013, Curren$y said that due to these same legal issues, the mixtape would likely become a retail album.[16] It was released as an iTunes only EP on April 20, 2013.

On February 3, 2013, Curren$y released his latest mixtape New Jet City with guest appearances from Wiz Khalifa, French Montana, Jadakiss, Juvenile, Juicy J, Trinidad James and Rick Ross among others.[17]

On October 30, 2013, Curren$y released The Stage EP with Smoke DZA and Harry Fraud.[18]

2014-present: The Drive In Theatre and Pilot Talk III

Curren$y announced a new mixtape, The Drive In Theatre, in January 2014.[19] He followed up on January 26, 2014, with the release of a new single, "Godfather 4" featuring Action Bronson.[20] On February 4, 2014, Curren$y took to Twitter to announce a release date for The Drive In Theatre, it was released on February 14, 2014.[21]

On January 17, 2013, Curren$y announced on Twitter that he and Ski Beatz began the process of making Pilot Talk III.[22] The album has been in development ever since, with Curren$y, in various interviews, naming possible guest appearances from Lil Boosie,[23] Lil Wayne,[24] Wiz Khalifa, Ab-Soul, French Montana, Action Bronson,[25] Jadakiss, Styles P, and Riff Raff, with a majority of the production handled by Ski Beatz, along with some production from Cool & Dre.[26] On January 19, 2015, Curren$y posted the album's possible artwork on his Instagram account, created by David Barnett, who was also responsible for the artwork of the first two Pilot Talk albums.[25] On March 1, 2015, DJ Skee released the first single "Alert" featuring Styles P and produced by Ski Beatz.[27] On March 15, 2015, Curren$y announced that he'll be releasing Pilot Talk III exclusively on a $100 USB drive, "bundled with a Jet Life shirt and Pilot Talk 3 look book" with accompanying music videos. However, he also hinted at the album may be up for streaming.[28] The bundle is currently available for pre-order on the Jet Life website, which also confirmed that it will not be released on iTunes.[29] It is currently set for release on April 4, 2015.[26]

Jet Life Recordings

Jet Life Recordings
Founded 2011
Founder Currensy (CEO)
Status Active
Distributor(s) IHipHop Distribution
Genre Hip-hop
Country of origin United States
Official website http://www.jet-life.com/

On February 1, 2011, Curren$y started his imprint Jet Life Recordings.

Current artists

Legal issues

In March 2012, news surfaced of legal action being taken against Damon Dash by Curren$y. In the lawsuit, the rapper claimed that he never legally signed to Dash's DD172 label, and the record executive released the pair of albums (Pilot Talk I and Pilot Talk II) as well as Muscle Car Chronicles without authorization. Curren$y is demanding that Dash immediately stop releasing his music for profit, and is seeking $1.5 million in damages. A ruling has yet to be decided in the case.[32]

Discography

Main articles: Currensy discography and 504 Boyz discography
Studio albums
Collaboration albums

References

  1. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/504-Boyz-Get-Back/release/3147578
  2. ↑ "Master P - Good Side, Bad Side (CD, Album)". discogs.com.
  3. ↑ David D. (2009-05-12). "Review Of Curren$y's This Ain't No Mixtape | The Smoking Section". Smokingsection.uproxx.com. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  4. ↑ "Sorry, the page you were looking for is not here". The Source. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  5. ↑ "Damon Dash Resurrects Roc-A-Fella To Start A 'Positive Movement'". Shaheem Reid.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Curren$y’s Rocafella Chain Powered By BLUROC". Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Curren$y, My Sophomore Year". Retrieved September 6, 2010. XXL Magazine
  8. ↑ "Interview: Curren$y On "Pilot Talk," Dame Dash, And His Relationship With Lil Wayne". Green, Dominic. Retrieved September 6, 2010. Complex Magazine
  9. ↑ "Video: Curren$y Pilot Talk 2 Coming November 22nd!". Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  10. ↑ Vasquez, Andres (2010-09-02). "DX News Bits: Kid Cudi, Queen Latifah, Curren$y | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  11. ↑ "Curren$y Signs to Warner, Preps EP With The Alchemist | Hip Hop On A Higher Level". Xxlmag.Com. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  12. ↑ "Curren$y and Alchemist Release Free EP". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  13. ↑ "Curren$y's New Album: Weekend at Burnie's". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  14. ↑ "Curren$y releases 'Stoned Immaculate' Tracklist". DJ Smallz. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Curren$y "#PriestAndretti" Mixtape Cover Art & Release Date". HipHop DX. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  16. ↑ HipHopDX (9 January 2013). "Curren$y Says "Live In Concert" With Wiz Khalifa Will Release At Retail". HipHopDX. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  17. ↑ Isenberg, Daniel (February 3, 2013). "Mixtape: Curren$y "New Jet City". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  18. ↑ Ellis, Stacy Ann (October 30, 2013). "New Music: Curren$y, Smoke DZA And Harry Fraud ‘The Stage’ EP". Vibe (magazine). Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  19. ↑ "» Curren$y Announces New Mixtape, ‘The Drive In Theatre’". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  20. ↑ Rose Lilah. "Curren$y - Godfather 4 Feat. Action Bronson". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  21. ↑ "Spitta on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  22. ↑ Andres Tardio. "Curren$y Announces "Pilot Talk III" With Ski Beatz". HipHopDX. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  23. ↑ Bruce Smith. "Curren$y Shares Hopes To Feature Lil Boosie On "Pilot Talk 3"". HipHopDX. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  24. ↑ Andres Tardio. "Curren$y Discusses Lil Wayne's "Pilot Talk III" Appearance Potential". HipHopDX. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Christopher Harris. "Curren$y "Pilot Talk III" Cover Art". HipHopDX. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Danielle Harling. "Curren$y Explains "Pilot Talk 3" Delay". HipHopDX. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  27. ↑ DJ Skee. "Curren$y - Alert - Listen". Audiomack. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  28. ↑ Jay Balfour. "Curren$y To Release "Pilot Talk 3" As $100 USB Drive Bundle". HipHopDX. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  29. ↑
  30. ↑ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/11/meet-mary-gold-currensy-latest-jet-life-signing/
  31. ↑ "REVOLT - Two Minutes to Take-Off: Le$ Boards Curren$y's Jet Life Label". REVOLT. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  32. ↑ "Curren$y Files Lawsuit Against Damon Dash For Unauthorized Release Of His Music". BallerStatus.com. 2012-03-25.
  33. ↑ HipHopDX (18 January 2013). "Curren$y Announces "Pilot Talk III" With Ski Beatz". HipHopDX. Retrieved 9 March 2015.

External links