Sav Killz

Sav Killz

Sav Killz in 2017, taken by Ricky Powell

Sav Killz in 2017
taken by Ricky Powell
Background information
Birth name Jamel Hampton
Also known as Jamel Rockwell
Born (1978-01-15) January 15, 1978
Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York U.S.
Origin Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York U.S.
Genres Rap
Hardcore Rap
Occupation(s) Emcee
Rapper
Musician
Instruments Rapping
Mixing
Producing
Years active 2005–present
Labels Fork and Spoon Records
Hardtimes Records
All Elements / Fork and Spoon
Associated acts DJ J-Ronin
Wu-Tang Clan affiliates
Website SavKillz.com
Notable instruments
Rapping

Sav Killz aka Jamel Hampton (born January 15, 1978)[1] is a Brooklyn, New York-based emcee, rapper and musician who specializes in mixtape collections distributed through independent rap channels, including selling the CDs on the street.[2][3] He is part of the rap underground, mixed tape circuit in New York City.[4]

Early life

Hampton was born and raised in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. As a musician, he grew up in and was influenced by the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.[4] Hampton was raised by his grandmother.[5]

Career

Hampton got his start as a graffiti writer in New York City, known for his tag, "Savage."[6] As early as 1997 when he was young, he got started on the block, rapping.[2][7][8][9] One of his early MC names was Savage Killa, based on his graffiti handle, and which he later shortened to Sav Killz.[10]

Hampton was part of the early "Bed-Stuy, Do or Die!"-era of Brooklyn music.[11] He got his start as part of the Wu-Tang Clan cypher and was connected to Popa Wu, learning how to rap at 36 Chambers Studio and Restoration Plaza.[12] He was also part of the Sunz of Man and Brooklyn Zu cyphers.

Hampton performed at many open mic events, including End of the Week at the Pyramid, Nuyorican Poets Café, Club Speed, and Bowery Poetry Club among others. During this time, Hampton worked in the underground scene with fellow artists like Stronghold Crew, Immortal Technique, Shabaam Sahdeeq, C Rayz Walz, Loer Velocity and others.

Hampton's first record was 2006's Determination Through Time. Throughout the mid-2005 to 2006 era, he came up as emcee during that time period.[2]

Hampton said that since 2010, he has been able to work full time on his music. He estimates that he has sold 50,000 to 60,000 CDs since 2006, with the help of Fat Beats and Underground Hip Hop distribution.[2]

Hampton adapted the alias Jamel Rockwell for his 2012 record, Bangers & B-Sides, for a song that was highly autobiographical.[5][13]

His song, "Steadfast," from 2015's Immovable Kings, was part of the soundtrack of The New York Times video feature series, "Block by Block," on Bedford–Stuy.[14]

Hampton has performed on stage with and as an opener for many artists including Kool Keith, Jadakiss, Slick Rick, Saigon, AZ, The Beatnuts, Rakim, Foxy Brown.[15]

All Elements

In 2004, Hampton met DJ J-Ronin through a friend, 9th Prince from Killarmy. J-Ronin created a community called the All Elements aka The Elemental Cartel, which later turned into a record label. From the early 2000s, DJ J-Ronin and Hampton have run the multimedia company All Elements and record label, All Elements Music Group, as partners and co-CEO.[16] Through All Elements, Ronin also manages Sav Killz.[17]

All Elements has chapters all over the world.[18] All Elements also has a weekly radio station.[19]

Personal life

Hampton is a member of the Nation of Gods and Earths cultural movement.[20] He said he was introduced to the movement, which was a huge part of the community growing up, through a mentor, Born Supreme.[21] Born Supreme also connected Hampton to Popa Wu.[22]

Discography

Releases

Gold Chain Military

Gold Chain Military is a collective made up of Planet Asia, Killer Ben, TriState, Turbin, Killa Kali, Sav Killz, Montage One. The collective incorporates rappers from both the east and west coast of the United States.[23]

Collaborations

Videos

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Jamel Hampton - United States Public Records". FamilySearch. 2002.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rosenberg, Peter (5 October 2015). "Sav Killz, DJ J-Ronin & Frank Knight on Real Late!" (Video interview). Real Late w/ Peter Rosenberg. Hot 97.
  3. ↑ Kangas, Chaz (14 October 2014). ""Yo, You Like Music?" Why These New York Rappers Are Still Selling Their CDs on the Street". Complex.
  4. 1 2 Whurl, Doug E's (12 April 2015). "Hustle Hard: Sav Killz 002 04192015 Tompkins Park Bedford Stuyvesant" (Video interview). Doug E's Whurl.
  5. 1 2 "Sav Killz talks about Bangers & B-Sides and his dedication to hip hop: Interview". TheBeeShine. 12 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Sav Killz: Bio". MTV Artists Platform. 2015.
  7. ↑ BoomBap Renaissance (9 May 2012). "Sav Killz Interview Part 1" (Audio interview). BoomBap Renaissance.
  8. ↑ BoomBap Renaissance (9 May 2012). "Sav Killz Interview Part 2" (Audio interview). BoomBap Renaissance.
  9. ↑ BoomBap Renaissance (10 May 2012). "Sav Killz Interview Part 3" (Audio interview). BoomBap Renaissance.
  10. ↑ Egotrip (18 May 2012). "Audio: Sav Killz – "Take a Moment"". Egotripland.
  11. ↑ Blau, Ari (22 February 2011). "NeighborHOOD Faces - Bed Stuy: A Documentary by Ari Blau" (Documentary short film). Blau Bright Productions. Half Full Productions.
  12. ↑ "Sav Killz: Interview". TheBeeShine. 1 February 2011.
  13. 1 2 J-Ronin (12 July 2012). "Sav Killz - Bangers and B-Sides". DatPiff.
  14. ↑ "Block by Block: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn (Video Series)". The New York Times. 22 January 2015.
  15. ↑ BrooklynVegan Staff (30 June 2016). "Kool Keith @ Knitting Factory (pics)". BrooklynVegan.
  16. ↑ Bassa, Amanda (14 August 2009). "DJ J-Ronin & Sav Killz". HipHopDX.
  17. ↑ "DJ J-Ronin (The Showcase) Stand Up or Fall Back Issue". Royalty Magazine. 9 November 2012.
  18. ↑ "Sav Killz The Immovable King". BoomBap Nation. 10 September 2015.
  19. ↑ "DJ J-Ronin explains All Elements". TheBeeShine. 28 March 2012.
  20. ↑ Killz, Sav (28 September 2014). "Get to know Sav Killz vlog #3" (Video blog). Sav Killz.
  21. ↑ "Flip The Script Radio featuring Sav Killz 10-19-16" (Audio interview). Flip The Script Radio via Solo Vibes. 19 October 2016. Starts around 1:18
  22. ↑ Bernard, Adam (6 November 2006). "Artist Of The Week – Sav Killz". Adam's World.
  23. ↑ Cayne, Crazy Al (12 May 2012). "Sav Killz on Spittin In Da Wip". Spittin In Da Wip.
  24. ↑ "Ali Vegas - Transition To Power (Hosted by DJ Superstar Jay and DJ L-Gee". Internet Archive. 2008.
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