Kool G Rap

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Biography

Nathaniel Thomas Wilson (born July 20, 1968), better known by his stage names Kool G Rap (or simply G Rap ), Kool G. Rap , and Giancana (the root of the "G." ), is an American Rapping|rapper , from the Corona, Queens|Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York City . He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew . He is often cited as one of the most influential and skilled MCs of all timeKool Moe Dee, 2003, ''There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs'', Thunder's Mouth Press, p.225, 228.Shapiro, Peter, 2005, The Rough Guide To Hip-Hop, 2nd Edition , Penguin, p. 213-214. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/koolgrap/biography online excerpt from 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide . as he is a pioneer of mafioso rap /street/hardcore contentCobb, William Jelani, 2007, To The Break Of Dawn: A Freestyle On The Hip Hop Aesthetic , NYU Press, p. 59.Hess, Mickey, 2007, Icons Of Hip Hop , Greenwood Publishing Group, p.57.Kool Moe Dee, 2003, ''There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs'', Thunder's Mouth Press, p.228. and multisyllabic rhymes|multisyllabic rhyming.Shapiro, Peter, 2005, The Rough Guide To Hip-Hop, 2nd Edition , Penguin, p. 213. On his album The Giancana Story , he stated that the "G" in his name stands for "Giancana" (after the mobster Sam Giancana ), but on other occasions he's stated that it stands for "Genius". http://halftimeonline.com/hip-hop-icon-series/kool-g-rap/2/

He has also been cited as a major influence to some of hip-hop's most critically acclaimed figures such as Eminem , Nas , Jay Z , Big Pun , RZA and more.Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap : The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC , Chicago Review Press, p. viii, 88, 324.

Biography

Early years

Wilson grew up in the poverty-ridden streets of Corona, Queens|Corona Queens , New York with legendary producer Eric B. Kool G Rap, Will C., 2008, Road to the Riches Remaster Liner Notes , p. 4. In an interview with The Source (magazine)|The Source he stated;

Around this time, Wilson was looking for a DJ, and through Eric B., he met DJ Polo, who was looking for an MC to collaborate with.

Kool G Rap and DJ Polo

Juice Crew producer, and Mr. Magic DJ; Marley Marl knew Polo, and allowed him and G Rap to go to his studio to do a demo, which resulted in the song "It's a Demo." The song was written and recorded in one night, and had Marley so impressed, that he instantly embraced Kool G Rap and DJ Polo as Juice Crew members (it's worth noting that this was the first time G Rap had ever met Marley.)Kool G Rap, Will C., 2008, Road to the Riches Remaster Liner Notes , p. 3. In 1986 on Mr Magic's Rap Attack radio show on 107.5, the duo got their first exposure which created more buzz. They eventually released "It's a Demo" as a single with "I'm Fly", along with two more singles. Shortly after this, Kool G Rap appeared on the Juice Crew 's classic posse cut 'The Symphony' before they released their debut album, Road to the Riches in 1989. This album and their two later albums, Wanted: Dead or Alive (Kool G Rap & DJ Polo album)|Wanted: Dead or Alive (1990) and Live and Let Die (album)|Live and Let Die (1992), are highly regarded and considered Hip-Hop classics. Eventually in 1993, Kool G rap parted ways with DJ Polo in pursuit of a solo career.

Solo career

In 1995, G Rap started his solo career with the album 4,5,6 , which featured production from Buckwild , and guest appearances from Nas , MF Grimm and B-1 – it has been his most commercially successful record, reaching No.24 on the US Billboard 200 album chart. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do? model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums& model.vnuArtistId=97142& model.vnuAlbumId=1078035 This was followed by Roots of Evil in 1998.
He was then meant to release his next album, The Giancana Story in 2000, on Rawkus Records , but due to several complications with the label, the album was pushed back several times, and eventually released in 2002. "My Life" the hit single from the album featuring Talk Box legend G-Wise reached No.5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. In 2008 he released the EP Half a Klip on Chinga Chang Records, featuring production from, among others, DJ Premier and Marley Marl .

Criticisms of Kool G Rap's solo albums usually focus on the production not being up to the standard of the rapping.

While Kool G Rap has always been popular and well respected in Hip-Hop circles for his lyrical skills, he never crossed over and saw the same level of commercial success as rappers such as Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane , both also members of the Juice Crew .Kool Moe Dee, 2003, ''There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs'', Thunder's Mouth Press, p.226-228. He is known for consistently making records which are hardcore, dark, intelligent, and underground.

Legacy

Kool G Rap is regarded as a hugely influential Golden age hip hop|golden age rapper. Music journalist Peter Shapiro (journalist)|Peter Shapiro suggests that he "created the blueprint for Nas , Biggie and everyone who followed in their path".Shapiro, Peter, 2005, The Rough Guide To Hip-Hop, 2nd Edition , Penguin, p. 214. Kool G is described by Kool Moe Dee as "the progenitor and prototype for Biggie , Jay-Z , Treach , N.O.R.E.|Nore , Fat Joe , Big Pun , and about twenty-five more hard-core emcees", and Kool Moe Dee also claims Kool G Rap is "the most lyrical" out of all of the artists mentioned.Kool Moe Dee, 2003, ''There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs'', Thunder's Mouth Press, p.225. MTV describes Kool G Rap as a "hip-hop godfather", adding that he paved the way for a lot of MCs who we would not have heard of otherwise. Rolling Stone says, "G Rap excelled at the street narrative, a style that would come to define later Queens MCs like Nas (who was hugely influenced by G Rap on his early records) and Mobb Deep ".

Other artists who have named Kool G Rap as a major influence include Notorious B.I.G. , The Source magazine: October 1995, Issue # 73, P. 13. Retrieved 2011-04-23. Eminem , Jay-Z ,Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap : The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC , Chicago Review Press, p. viii, 324. Tajai of Souls of Mischief ,Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap : The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC , Chicago Review Press, p. 44. Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks ,Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap : The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC , Chicago Review Press, p. 65. Steele (rapper)|Steele of Smif-n-Wessun ,Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap : The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC , Chicago Review Press, p. 77. Havoc (Mobb Deep)|Havoc of Mobb Deep , Rock of Heltah Skeltah , MC Serch ,Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap : The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC , Chicago Review Press, p. 98. Termanology ,Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap : The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC , Chicago Review Press, p. 106. Black Thought of The Roots , M.O.P. ,Coleman, Brian, 2007, Check The Technique : Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies , Villard, Random House, p. 285. R.A. The Rugged Man , Bun B of UGK , Rah Digga ,Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap : The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC , Chicago Review Press, p. x. RZA and Raekwon Raekwon, in The Source (magazine)|The Source : Issue 233, August 2009, pg. 87, article – Jessica Bennett, "The Takeover". of Wu-Tang Clan , Adil Omar , Lady Of Rage , Big Pun , O.C. (rapper)|O.C. of DITC , http://halftimeonline.com/hip-hop-icon-series/oc/4/ Memphis Bleek , Kurupt , Pharoahe Monch , and Twista , among others.

He is also often very highly rated in terms of his technical ability and is often ranked alongside other highly regarded Golden age hip hop|golden age MCs, such as Big Daddy Kane , Rakim , and KRS-One . In Jay-Z 's track 'Encore', Jay-Z raps, "hearing me rap is like hearing G Rap in his prime",Jay-Z, 2003, 'Encore', The Black Album , Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam. comparing his skill level to that of Kool G Rap. Allmusic calls him "one of the greatest rappers ever", "a master", and "a legend".
A number of rappers, such as Ice Cube (rapper)|Ice Cube , Rakim , Big Daddy Kane , Lloyd Banks , and Nas have put him in their lists of favorite rappers. Kool Moe Dee ranked Kool G Rap at No.14 in his book '' There's A God On The Mic : The True 50 Greatest MCs'', and MTV gives him an 'Honorable Mention' in their Greatest MCs Of All Time list.

Rhyme technique

Kool G Rap is known for using complex multisyllabic rhymes since his debut (in a similar way to other golden age MCs such as Big Daddy Kane and Rakim ), and this remains a hallmark of his style, along with his rapid-fire delivery and "superhuman breath control". Although many of today's MCs use multisyllabic rhymes extensively (such as Eminem , Pharoahe Monch , Nas , Papoose (rapper)|Papoose , and many others), Kool G Rap is known for taking the technique to its limits and packing in as many multisyllabic rhymes as possible,Kool Moe Dee, 2003, ''There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs'', Thunder's Mouth Press, p.225-228.Sway & King Tech, 1999, 'The Anthem', This Or That , Interscope Records. sometimes all in the same rhyme scheme for a whole verse, such as on Sway & King Tech 's 'The Anthem'.

He has also been cited as one of Hip-Hop's greatest storytellers, alongside Slick Rick and Notorious B.I.G. ,Kool Moe Dee, 2003, ''There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs'', Thunder's Mouth Press, p.225, 227. with "laser-like visual descriptions", and "vivid narratives". Rolling Stone states that, " Live and Let Die (album)|Live and Let Die continued G Rap's reign as rap music's premier yarn-spinner".

Kool G Rap provided the foreword for the 2009 book How to Rap : The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC ,Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC , Chicago Review Press. also providing insight into his rhyming technique.

Mafioso/Street content

Kool G Rap is often credited as the first rapper to infuse his lyrics with Mafioso rap#Mafioso rap|mafioso and hardcore street content.
This can be seen as early as 1989 in the song "Road to the Riches" where he makes a reference to Al Pacino (who plays mobster Tony Montana in the 1983 crime drama movie Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface )Kool G Rap, 1989, 'Road to the Riches', Road to the Riches , Cold Chillin'. – this was long before albums such as Raekwon 's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… (1995), and Jay-Z 's Reasonable Doubt (1996) made such references popular.

Since his debut, he has used various references to Mafia|mob movies in his lyrics, album covers, and titles. For example, the first line of 'Bad to the Bone' from Wanted: Dead or Alive (Kool G Rap & DJ Polo album)|Wanted: Dead or Alive (1990) is, ''I'm bad to the bone / with a style like Al Capone '',Kool G Rap, 1990, 'Bad to the Bone', Wanted: Dead or Alive , Cold Chillin'. the album Live and Let Die (album)|Live and Let Die (1992) uses samples from the film The Untouchables (1987 film)|The Untouchables ,Kool G Rap, 1992, Live and Let Die , Cold Chillin'. the album cover of Roots of Evil (1998) uses elements from The Godfather and Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface theatrical posters, and The Giancana Story (2002) album title references Mafia boss Sam Giancana .

Rolling Stone says, "before Kool G Rap, New York didn't really have the street rap that could hold its own against what artists such as L.A.'s Ice-T and N.W.A were churning out" and that "G Rap excelled at the street narrative".

His take on crime, violence, and the mafioso lifestyle ranges from remorse and contemplation (e.g. 'Streets of New York',Kool G Rap, 1990, 'Streets of New York', Wanted: Dead or Alive , Cold Chillin'. described by Rolling Stone as "a vivid look inside the misery of the hood"), to glorification (e.g. 'Fast Life' featuring Nas Kool G Rap, 1995, 'Fast Life', 4, 5, 6 , Cold Chillin'.).

Personal life

Wilson dated Karrine Steffans , they have one son, he also has children with other women.

Discography

with DJ Polo	Year
Road to the Riches	1989
Wanted: Dead or Alive	1990
Live and Let Die	1992
Solo Albums	Year
4,5,6	1995
Roots of Evil	1998
The Giancana Story	2002
Half a Klip	2008
Riches, Royalty, Respect	2011 cite web
Compilations	Year
Killer Kuts	1994
Rated XXX	1996
The Best of Cold Chillin'	2000
Greatest Hits	2002
Kool G Rap & Twinn Loco Present – I Live Hip Hop – The Mixtape	2010

Collaborative Albums	With	Year
Click of Respect	The 5 Family Click	2003
Legends Vol. 3 (digital album – Napster)	J-love Enterprise	2004
The Godfathers cite web	Necro (rapper)>Necro	2012
TBA cite web	The Alchemist	2012

Featured appearances

1988: "The Symphony" (on the Marley Marl album In Control Volume 1 )

1991: "Don't Curse" (from the Heavy D album Peaceful Journey ")

1991: "The Symphony Vol. II" (on the Marley Marl album In Control Volume 2: For Your Steering Pleasure )

1992: "Death Threat" (from the Brand New Heavies album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1 )

1993: "You Must Be Out of Your Fuckin' Mind" (from the Fat Joe album Represent (Fat Joe album)|Represent )

1993: "Pee-Nile Reunion" (from the MC Shan ''Don't Call It Comeback 12" )

1993: "This Is How We..." (from the Pudgee Tha Phat Bastard album Give Em The Finger )

1996: "Representin'" (Ruffa featuring Kool G Rap)

1996: "Stick To Ya Gunz" (from the M.O.P. album Firing Squad (album)|Firing Squad )

1996: "Know Da Game" (from the Frankie Cutlass album Politics And Bullshit )

1998: "Truly Yours 98" (from the Pete Rock album Soul Survivor (Pete Rock album)|Soul Survivor )

1998: "Guns Blazing (Drums of Death, Pt. 1)" (from the UNKLE album Psyence Fiction )

1998: "40 Island" (from the N.O.R.E. album N.O.R.E. (album)|N.O.R.E. )

1999: "Friend of Ours" (from the E-Moneybags album In E-Moneybags We Trust )

1999: "The Anthem" Also feat. RZA , Tech N9ne , Eminem , Xzibit , Pharoahe Monch , Jayo Felony , Chino XL & KRS-One and "3 to the Dome" also feat. Big Daddy Kane & Chino XL (from the Sway & King Tech album This or That (album)|This or That )

1999: "The Realest" (from the Mobb Deep album Murda Muzik )

2000: "Fall Back" (from the Big L album The Big Picture (Big L album)|The Big Picture )

2000: "Ghetto afterlife" (from the Reflection Eternal album Train of Thought (Reflection Eternal album)|Train of thought )

2000: "Legendary Street Team" (from Lyricist Lounge 2 )

2001: "Let 'Em Live" (from the Chino XL album I Told You So (Chino XL album)|I Told You So )

2001: "I Am" (from the G. Dep album Child of the Ghetto )

2001: "Gorillas" (from the Screwball (group)|Screwball album Loyalty (Screwball album)|Loyalty )

2001: "No Surrender" ( Shabaam Sahdeeq featuring Kool G Rap)

2002: "Allied Meta-Forces" (from the Canibus album Mic Club: The Curriculum )

2002: "Nuthin Has Changed" (from King Tee album The Kingdom Come )

2003: "Animal Rap" (from the Jedi Mind Tricks album Visions of Gandhi )

2005: "AIDS" (from the MF Grimm album Scars and Memories )

2005: "Ghost & Giancana" (from the Ghostface Killah album Put It on the Line )

2006: "We Gone Go Hard" (from the Ras Kass album Revenge of the Spit )

2006: "Reckless Eye-Ballin" (from the VERBAL THREAT album The Golden Era )

2006: "Full Metal Jacket" (from the Molemen album Killing Fields (album)|Killing Fields )

2007: "Hood Tales" (from the Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo album Port Authority (album)|Port Authority )

2007: "100 Roundz" (from the Domingo (producer)|Domingo album The Most Underrated )

2007: "Come one, come all" (from the Styles P album The Ghost Sessions )

2007: "Next Up" (from the UGK album Underground Kingz )

2007: "6 in the Morning" (from the Statik Selektah album Spell My Name Right: The Album )

2007: "Buck Buck" (on the Red Cafe and DJ Envy album The Co-Op )

2007: "And Wot (Remix)" (Album "Unified: He Whanau Kotahi Tatou" featuring Sweet Tooth & Carbon Kid)

2007: "Terrorise the City(on the Klashnekoff album Lionheart: Tussle with the Beast featuring Kyza )

2008: "Queens" (from the LL Cool J Exit 13 Promo EP)

2008: "One Shot" (album Hood 2 Hood: The Blockumentary Soundtrack, Pt. 1 )

2008: "The Next Step" (from the Big John album The Next Step featuring R.A The Rugged Man)

2008: "Same Old Hood" (Saul Abraham featuring Kool G Rap & St Laz)

2009: "Das Leid / The Light" Azad featuring Kool G Rap (from Brisk Fingaz album Einzelkämpfer )

2009: "Gunz From Italy" (from the Club Dogo album Dogocrazia )

2009: "Ill Figures" (from the Wu-Tang Clan compilation album Chamber Music (Wu-Tang Clan album)|Wu-Tang Chamber Music )

2009: "Legendary" (from the 67 Mob album Raising The Bar )

2009: "ALC Theme" (from The Alchemist (producer)|The Alchemist album Chemical Warfare (album)|Chemical Warfare )

2009: "KGR & Honda" (from the DJ Honda album IV )

2010: "Cursed" (from the Diabolic debut album "Liar & A Thief")

2010: "Boot Rap" featuring Canibus (from the Mark Deez album "Bootstrap Theory")

2010: "White Sand Part 2" Rick Ross Ft. Triple C's from The Albert Anastasia EP

2010: "Knife Fight" Rick Ross Ft. Kool G Rap from The Albert Anastasia EP

2010: "Ready For War" CHI-ILL Ft. Kool G Rap from The Last Chance Lounge EP.

2010: "Controlling Tha Game" Tyger Vinum FT. Kool G. Rap from "Grindin Muzik" album

2010: "Frozen" (From The Left album "Gas Mask")

2010: "3 Extremes" (from Dusty Philharmonics album "The Audiotopsy", Unexpected Records)

2011: "Kies in tha game" (from Duo Kie album "De Cerebri Mortis")

2012: "Summertime" (from Adil Omar album The Mushroom Cloud Effect )

Copyright Citations

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1. Eminem 2. Fat Joe 3. Nas 4. Raekwon 5. Scarface 6. Wu-Tang Clan 7. Ice Cube 8. RZA 9. Big Daddy Kane 10. Big L 11. Canibus 12. Jedi Mind Tricks 13. M.O.P. 14. DJ Premier 15. Necro 16. NORE 17. Noreaga 18. Ras Kass 19. X-Ecutioners 20. UGK 21. R.A. The Rugged Man

Hip Hop/Rap Music Artists

Kool G Rap

Biography

Biography

Early years

Kool G Rap and DJ Polo

Solo career

Legacy

Rhyme technique

Mafioso/Street content

Personal life

Discography

Featured appearances

References

Further reading

External links

Copyright Citations