User:Jamz789/Brooklyn Rappers

Notorious B.I.G.
Notorious B.I.G.(main page)

History
Notorious B.I.G. A.K.A. Biggie Smalls whose full name is Christopher Wallace was born May 21,1972. He was raised in Brooklyn, New York in Bed Stuy.Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Wallace grew up during the peak years of the 1980s' crack epidemic and started dealing drugs at an early age. When Wallace released his debut album with the 1994 record Ready to Die, he was a central figure in the East Coast hip-hop scene and increased New York's visibility at a time when hip hop was mostly dominated by West Coast artists. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud, dominating the scene at the time after the feud with fellow rap star Tupac Shakur.

On March 9, 1997, Biggie was killed by an unknown person in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeleswhile leaving a party. His double-disc set Life After Death, released fifteen days later after his death. It hit #1 in the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000. Wallace was noted for his "loose, easy flow", dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Since his death, a further three albums have been released. MTV ranked him at #3 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time. Because of his success and influence on music, he has become a cultural icon.

On January 16,2009 a movie about his life was released. It was called Notorious (2009 film) which was directed by George Tillman, Jr. The movie reflects on Biggie's life. He was played by Jamal Woolard and it also stars Angela Bassett as his mother Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke as Sean Combs, and Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur. Other roles include Naturi Naughton as Lil' Kim and Antonique Smith as Faith Evans.

Here is a list of albums he released:

Discography

 * 1994: Ready to Die
 * 1997: Life After Death
 * 1999: Born Again
 * 2005: Duets: The Final Chapter
 * 2007: Greatest Hits
 * 2009: Notorious: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Jay-Z
Jay-Z(Main Page)

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known as his stage name, Jay-Z is an American hip hop artist and businessman. He is the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. He co-owns The 40/40 Club and the New Jersey Nets. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having sold over 26 million units in the United States. Jay-Z's crowning achievement, his debut album Reasonable Doubt, is ranked by Rolling Stone as #248 on their "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". His critically acclaimed album, The Blueprint, was written in only two days. After announcing his retirement from recording music in 2003, he returned in late 2006 with the album Kingdom Come, which sold 680,000 copies in its first week, Jay-Z's highest-selling album in a one-week period. MTV named him number one on their list of the greatest MCs of all time. The New York Times announced in April of 2008 that Jay-Z is on the verge of a partnership with Live Nation for $150 million — among the most expensive contracts ever awarded to a musician. Carter married Beyoncé Knowles on April 4, 2008.

He has currently finish working on the Blueprint 3 which is suppose to release sometime in 2009.Kanye West, who served as the album's co-producer, stated in an interview that it will be released in February 2009.The actual release date is still unknown.On January 22, 2009, Jay-Z announced that he is still working on the album, aiming for it to be perfect, stating "I wanna make it beyond and above. I'm gonna take my time with it. I don't have any quotas, and that's a good thing. It may be too freeing. It's a good thing and a bad thing. You know, I think I need some restrictions" The Blueprint 3 is his last studio album under Def Jam before recording under his record label called Live Nation. So far he release 2 tracks off the album named Swagga Like Us and Jockin' JAY-Z

Here are the confirmed tracks off the Blueprint 3:

Blueprint 3 Tracks
Here is a list of Albums he made and ones he collaborated on:

Discography

 * Solo albums
 * Reasonable Doubt (1996)
 * In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997)
 * Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life (1998)
 * Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)
 * The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000)
 * The Blueprint (2001)
 * The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse (2002)
 * The Black Album (2003)
 * Kingdom Come (2006)
 * American Gangster (2007)
 * The Blueprint³ (2009)


 * Collaboration albums
 * Streets Is Watching (1998)
 * The Best of Both Worlds (2002) – with R. Kelly
 * Unfinished Business (2004) – with R. Kelly
 * Collision Course (2004) – with Linkin Park


 * Compilation albums
 * Jay-Z: Unplugged (2001)
 * Chapter One: Greatest Hits (2002)
 * Bring It On: The Best of Jay-Z (2003)
 * Greatest Hits (2006)

Fabolous
Fabolous (Main Page)

John Jackson (born November 18, 1977), better known by his stage name Fabolous [sic], is an American rapper. Growing up in the Brooklyn area of New York City, he was among the first east coast rappers influenced by Southern hip hop sounds and first became popular through his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut album Ghetto Fabolous.

In January and March 2003, Fabolous was arrested for possessing an unlicensed gun in his car. His bodyguard later showed proof of ownership for the gun.

Fabolous put his career on hiatus for much of 2005 and 2006.

Fabolous was shot in his right leg on the morning of October 17, 2006 in Manhattan. The police saw the rapper and three other men accompanying him rushing through a red light and found unlicensed, loaded guns in their car leading to their arrest. After they found the weapons, Fabolous was treated at a local hospital.

NYPD linked Fabolous to a crew of robbers who targeted champion boxer Zab Judah twice. According to police reports, the Street Fam Crew is made up of 20 members, all former drug dealers from Fabolous's Brooklyn neighborhood. In 2006, three men tried to rob Judah as he stood next to his yellow Lamborghini on West 27th Street at 10th Avenue in New York City. The three rolled up in a minivan at about 5 AM, and hopped out. One pulled a black handgun on Judah and told him to put his jewelry on the hood of his car. Judah ran instead. The muggers followed in their van, but crashed into a tree a block away. All three scattered, but one was captured by a Homeland Security agent on his way to work, and another was grabbed by a nearby cab driver. "A bunch of idiots that didn't have no control over what they were doing; they messed with the wrong guy," said Judah.

Fabolous came forward to deny reports that he was involved. More lately, in the evening of November 22, 2007, a childhood friend—Shamel McKinney—was stabbed to death inside of a New York nightclub.

Fabolous denied Street Family crew's connection to any reported robberies. Police say that McKinney may have been stabbed after trying to steal jewelry off the neck of another clubgoer, Anthony Taylor (who has since the incident been arrested and has to face second-degree murder charges). The rapper further explained that despite reports, McKinney is not the type of person he has been made out to be, referring to the allegations that McKinney is part of a robbery crew connected to the rapper. Fabolous stated, "On Thanksgiving, I think I came out of the house one time - to go get eggnog. And there wasn't any eggnog at Club Duvet."

Here is a list of Discography and his Awards and Nominations:

Discography

 * Ghetto Fabolous (2001)
 * Street Dreams (2003)
 * Real Talk (2004)
 * From Nothin' to Somethin' (2007)
 * Loso's Way (2009)

Lil Kim
Lil Kim Main Page

History
Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1975), better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is a Grammy Award winning, American multi-platinum rapper and singer. Her 2005 album, The Naked Truth, was awarded the 5 mics award from The Source magazine, making it the first album by any female rapper to achieve that rating. She is the first female rapper to have a #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit. In addition, she is also one of three female rappers to have a #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit which was 2001's Lady Marmalade, with Christina Aguilera, Pink, & Mýa.