Kwamé

For other uses, see Kwame (disambiguation).
Kwamé

Holland at a panel on hip hop and comics at the 2014 New York Comic Con
Background information
Birth name Kwamé Holland
Also known as K-1 Million, K1 Mil
Born 1973 (age 42–43)
Genres Hip hop, R&B, Pop
Occupation(s) Rapper, Producer
Years active 1988–1994, 2001–present
Labels Atlantic Records
Associated acts Skillz, Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera, LL Cool J, Fantasia, Salt-N-Pepa, Kid 'n Play, Sweet Tee, Antoinette

Kwamé (born 1973) is an American rapper 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

In 1989, aged 16, Kwamé released his debut album, Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring a New Beginning, which he also produced with the aid of Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. The 'A New Beginning' of the title refers to his backing band, which was unusual amongst emcees of the time. 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 a hip hop fashion trend, as fans of his began wearing polka-dotted clothing.[1][2] In 1990, Kwamé released his second album A Day in the Life: a Pokadelick Adventure, 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]

In 1992, aged 18, he released his third album, Nastee. This album marked a departure for him, 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.[3] His fourth album, 1994's Incognito failed to chart.[1][3]

In 2000, Kwamé reemerged as a music producer, sometimes working under the name K-1 Million. He has produced for 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 more success with Will Smith's single "Switch".[1] As a producer, Kwamé has sold over 30 million records.

In 2012, Kwamé teamed up with Vin Diesel to help score his web series The Ropes. He also formed the boutique label Make Noise, with signees including Beyond Belief, and released an instrumental album, Break Beat Diaries.

Kwamé has also written scores and original music for film and TV., including Drumline, Step Up 1 & 2, Stomp the Yard, Freedom Writers, The Comebacks, Coach Carter, and Fantastic Four and recently produced Vivian Green's fifth album Vivid. He has also joined the hip hop group the Alumni, alongside Chubb Rock, Dana Dane, Special Ed, and Monie Love.

Personal life

Kwamé is a cousin of Vin Diesel, who danced in some of his early music videos.[4]

Discography (as 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 producer)

Selected production discography

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 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. 1 2 Paine (2004-07-07). "Kwame: Nobody’s Laughing". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  4. ↑ "In Tha Background: Kwame - Once dissed by Biggie... But Now?". HipHopDX.com. 2002-09-06.

External links

Media related to Kwame Holland at Wikimedia Commons

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