User:Koc219/Russell W. Howard

Russell W. Howard (Entertainer)
Russell William Howard (born July 7), records and acts under the name Russell W. Howard, is an American Hip-Hop artist and actor. He was born and raised in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. He made his first debut in acting at the age of 22 in the television show titled "Half & Half." He played in seasons 2 episode, "The Big Butting in Episode."

Early Life
Russell W. Howard was born in Lower Merion, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. He was playing drums by age 7, but intreged by the sound of Public Enemy and NWA as introduced to him by his older brother. When Russell was just 11 years old, he bought his first beat machine, the legendary TR808. Russell spent the next few years running from the suburbs to inner city Philadelphia where he would buy music and learn the fine art of DJing. By the time he was 15, Russell was discovered by Chris Swartz, then CEO of Ruffhouse records. While under his wing, Russell got a chance to watch some of hip hop's greatest record including acts like Cypress Hill and the Fugees. Because of the way he looked, Russell was offered a deal to become a Pop star, but he turned it down to follow his dream in becoming a MC. Russell’s first break in the music bussiness came when a close friend of his introduced him to a fresh faced kid from Lower Merion who was about to make the leap from high school to the NBA, and that kid name was Kobe Bryant. About a year after Kobe joined the Lakers, he flew Russell out to LA and they formed a hip hop group called, Cheizaw. They were then signed by The Legendary Trackmasters. Their album was never released, but later on Russell produced a song for Kobe Bryant titled "K.O.B.E." featuring America's Next Top Model host, Tyra Banks. They performed the song at an NBA game.

Later on in his life he became an established producer. During a recording session with Kobe Bryant, Jay-Z walked in. He looked at Russell and said to him "shouldn’t you be falling off a ship right now?" Referring to Leo Dicaprio in the movie Titanic. He listened to my beats. He picked two of them burned them to a CD and left. Two weeks later, he was flown to New York and they recorded the two songs and Jay-Z ended up putting the songs "S.Carter" and "There's Been A Murder" on Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter.

Mixtapes

 * 30 Seconds Flat (2010)
 * Price To Pay (2011)
 * Beautiful Distraction (2012)

Filmography

 * Half & Half (2003)
 * Love Don't Cost a Thing (film) (2003)
 * Boston Public (2003)
 * CSI: Miami (2004)
 * American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005)
 * Related (2006)
 * Senior Skip Day (2008)
 * Rome & Jewel (2008)