Frankie Cutlass

Frankie Cutlass
Background information
Birth name	Frank Javiel Malave
Born	(1971-01-16) January 16, 1971
Origin	Harlem, New York, United States
Genres	Hip hop, rap, urban, dance, latin
Occupation(s)	DJ, rapper, musician, writer, music producer, remixer
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Cutlass Music Group, Relativity Records, Violator, Sony, Epic Records, Tommy Boy Records

Frank Javiel Malave (born January 16, 1971), better known by his stage name Frankie Cutlass, is an American DJ, rapper, musician, writer, producer and remixer from Harlem, New York, United States.^[1] He is best known for his hits "Puerto Rico Ho" and "Shake Whatcha Mama Gave Ya." ^[2]

He is the father of two daughters, Karisma Malave and Faith Malave.

Early life

Frankie Cutlass was born and raised in New York City's Spanish Harlem also known as El Barrio, to Puerto Rican parents Delia Rivera Malave, a housewife, and Firpo Malave from Cayey, Puerto Rico. He's the youngest of nine children. He was raised in the same housing development with childhood friend, American actor, Singer-songwriter, the two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner Marc Anthony at Metro North Plaza Houses.

Music career

It was Cutlass' brother who first inspired him to DJ, and Cutlass first used the decks in the 1980s at the age of 12.^[3] Shortly after, he started working as a DJ at local parties and clubs. He then played consistently in clubs and, through the influence of Hip hop, he started to grasp the underlying American culture.^[3] Cutlass first hit the scene at the age of 15 and one year later left school to embrace a full-time music career.^[4] He soon moved into production as well, working with Freestyle music artists such as TKA, K-7, Sa-Fire, The Cover Girls, George Lamond, Judy Torres, and Lisette Melendez.^[3] In 1994, Cutlass used his own label, Hoody Records, to produce The Frankie Cutlass Show, from which his single "Puerto Rico" played on the underground club circuit to become an instant classic.^[5] In 1995, Cutlass released his second single "Boriquas on the Set" featuring Fat Joe, Doo Wop and Ray Boogie as an underground hit and it would lead him to a recording deal with Relativity Records/ Violator Records.^[3] By the mid-1990s, Cutlass was a member of the Funkmaster Flex team "The Flip Squad" and started spinning at special events, and on the airwaves for New York City's Hot 97 (WQHT) Radio Station. Frankie's interest had expanded into production as well as leading him to work with popular artists such as Notorious B.I.G, Uncle Luke, Fat Joe, Shaggy, Rayvon, Akinyele, Mad Lion and veteran Latin Music artists such as Tito Nieves on his smash "I Like It Like That"^[6] 1997 saw the release of his second album, Politics & Bullshit, paying tribute to old-school rap and featuring artists such as Redman, Busta Rhymes, Mobb Deep, Fat Joe, Smif-n-Wessun, Sadat X, Biz Markie, Craig G, Kool G Rap, M.O.P., Keith Murray, Heltah Skeltah, the Lost Boyz and Roxanne Shanté.^[7] The third single, "The Cypher, Pt. 3," reunited several veterans of Marley Marl productions, including Biz Markie, Roxanne Shanté, Big Daddy Kane, and Craig G.^[3]

His music found its way to mainstream success when "Freak It Out" by Doug E. Fresh was included in the 1996 “Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood soundtrack, certified gold-selling,^[8] "Puerto Rico" was part of the soundtrack of the 1999 version of Gloria starring Sharon Stone ^[9] and Jennifer Lopez's 2003 DVD, Let's Get Loud. Fatboy Slim's "Ya Mama" featured in the Charlie's Angels Part 1 soundtrack, certified triple platinum selling in 2000.^[10]

Religion

Cutlass's fame caught up with him, while associated with gang activity, he became a suspect in a federal investigation.^[11] He began to miss the gang's weekly meetings, but no longer wanted to participate in gang activities. Because of this, the gang leader put a murder contract on Cutlass's life.^[12] In Easter of 1997, he suddenly had a revelation of who Jesus really is. That night the Holy spirit visited Frankie and he received a clear understanding that God was calling him.^[13] The next morning, Easter Sunday Frankie entered a church in Harlem to make Jesus Lord over his life. He introduced himself to the Christian community by ministering at churches around the country, and aligned himself with leaders such as A. R. Bernard Christian Cultural Center, Evangelist Nicky Cruz, Dr. Creflo Dollar (Life after Death feature on B.E.T), Salt from Salt-n-Pepa, Allan Houston, Darryl Strawberry, Howard Cross, Charlie Ward, Mike Barrow and Joseph Henry Cortese (The Storytellers).^[14] In the Summer of 2004, Cutlass released "New Wine", his first gospel album, recruiting several gospel hip hop talents to lend their flow to his beats.

2006–Present

In 2006 Cutlass returned with a new remix of the hit "Puerto Rico," featuring Joell Ortiz, Lumidee, The King of the Cuatro Yomo Toro, Voltio and The Barrio Boys. He is also assembling his fourth full-length album, title "Once Upon a Time" (the anthology) on his own record label Cutlass Music Group.^[15]

Personal life

In 1994, Frankie married Lorraine Ortiz in New York City, they have two daughters, Karisma Delia Malave (October 11, 1995) who Frankie named after his mother who passed late in October 1995 Delia Rivera Malave, and Faith Victoria Malave (July 12, 2001). There were many problems in the marriage, and the couple separated early 2006. The rocky marriage came to an end in 2008.

Discography

Studio albums

• The Frankie Cutlass Show (1994), Hoody Records ^[16]
• Politic's and Bullshit (1997), Epic Records Violator Relativity Records ^[17]
• New Wine (2004), God Squad Ent^[18]

EPs

• "DJ's Only" (2010), Cutlass Music Group^[19]
• "Ritmo Tropical" (2011), Cutlass Music Group^[20]

Singles

• "Puerto Rico 2006 Remix" featuring Joell Ortiz, Lumidee, Voltio & Yomo Toro (2006), Cutlass Music Group^[21]
• "The Cypher Part 3" featuring Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Graig G & Roxxane Shante (1997), Epic Records Violator Relativity Records^[22]
• "You And You And You" featuring Redman, Sadat X & June Lover (1996), Violator Relativity Records^[23]
• "Boricuas on Da Set" featuring Fat Joe, Doo Wop & Ray Boogie (1995), Violator Relativity Records^[24]
• "Shake Watcha Mama Gave Ya" featuring Stick- E and the Hood (1994), Phat Wax/Strictly Records^[25]
• "Puerto Rico" featuring Ray Boogie (1994), Hoody Records^[26]
• "Wede Mans" featuring Selectah (1994), Hoody Records^[27]
• "Girls Fresh" featuring Rayvon (1994), Hoody Records^[28]
• "You'll Never Find Another Love" featuring & More (1987), Mic Mac Records^[29]

Production and remix work

• 2010 – Song: Drunk; Artist: Joell Ortiz; Album: Drunk; Label: Cutlass Music Group ^[30]

• 1997 – Song: Carpenter; Artist: Mad Lion; Album: Carpenter; Label: Nervous Records^[31]

• 1997 – Song: Music Makes Me High; Artist: Lost Boyz; Album: Love, Peace & Happiness; Label: Uptown Records Universal Records^[32]

• 1997 – Song: Politic's & Bullshit; Artist: Frankie Cutlass; Album: Politic's & Bullshit; Label: Epic Records Violator Relativity Records^[33]

• 1997 – Song: Dreams; Artist: Eternal Feat: Grand Puba & Sadat X; Album: Angel Of Mine; Label: EMI^[34]

• 1996 – Song: F*** Me For Free; Artist: Akinyele; Album: Put It in Your Mouth; Label: BMG/Stress ^[35]

• 1996 – Song: Freak It out; Artist Doug E Fresh featuring Luke; Album: Play; Label: Island/PolyGram ^[36]

• 1996 – Song: Bust A Nut; Artist: Luke featuring Notorious B.I.G; Album: Uncle Luke; Label: Island Records^[37]

• 1995 – Song: Puerto Rico; Artist: Funkmaster Flex featuring Frankie Cutlass; Album: 60 Minute Of Funk; Label: RCA Loud Records^[38]

• 1995 – Song: Sum Dum Munkey; Artist Fu-Schnickens Album: Visions (20/20); Label: Jive Records^[39]

• 1993 – Song: Nice And Lovely featuring: Rayvon; Artist Shaggy Album: Pure Pleasure; Label: Virgin Records^[40]

Awards

2010 – Awarded with the 1st Annual Old Timers Award, recognized as a legendary Latino in the music business.

2000 – Charlie's Angels Soundtrack – RIAAA Certified Triple Platinum^[41]

2000 – Fatboy Slim – Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars – RIAAA Certified Platinum^[42]

1997 – Awarded the Hijo Del Barrio Award by the Theatro Puertoriqueno

1996 – Puertoriqueno Del Bronx presented an award for Positive Role Model for the Latino Community

1996 – Don't Be a Menace to South Central Soundtrack – RIAA Certified Gold Album^[43]

1995 – Funkmaster Flex The Mix Tape, Vol. 1: 60 Minutes of Funk RIAA Certified Gold Album^[44]

1993 – K7 – Swing Batta Swing RIAA Certified Gold Album^[45]

1991 – Lisette Melendez Together Forever RIAA Certified Gold Album^[46]

References