Kwamé

For Australian rapper, see Kwame (Australian rapper).
For other uses, see Kwame (disambiguation).
Kwamé
Holland at a panel on hip hop and comics at the 2014 New York Comic Con
Holland at a panel on hip hop and comics at the 2014 New York Comic Con
Background information
Birth nameKwamé
Also known as
  • K-1 Million
  • K1 Mil
Born (1973-03-28) 28 March 1973 (age 51)
Queens, New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active
  • 1987–1995
  • 2001–present
Labels

Kwamé Holland (born 28 March 1973) is an American rapper and record producer from East Elmhurst, Queens, New York. Starting as a rapper in the late 1980s, he later saw success as a producer.

Biography

In 1989, aged 16, Kwamé released his debut album, Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning, which he produced with Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. The title refers to his backing band, which was unusual for emcees at the time.[1] The music videos featured a polka-dot motif in the costumes and production design. This became Kwamé's trademark and a hip hop fashion fad, as his fans began wearing it.[2][3] In 1990, Kwamé released his second album A Day in the Life: a Pokadelick Adventure, a concept album[1] about a day in the life of a high school student. The album spawned singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue.",[2] the latter of which was part of the new jack swing genre.

In 1992, at the age 18, he released his third album, Nastee.[4] This album was a departure for him, discarding the polka-dots and writing more sexually charged lyrics, in contrast to his previously playful, intellectual persona.[1] The title track was a minor hit, but the album quickly fell from the chart.[5] His fourth album, 1994's Incognito, failed to chart.[2][5]

In 2000, Kwamé reemerged as a record producer, sometimes working under the name K-1 Million. He produced for artists such as LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera. In 2004, he co-produced (with Eminem) Lloyd Banks' hit song "On Fire."[2] The single has been certified Gold by the RIAA. In 2005, he co-wrote and co-produced Tweet's single "Turn da Lights Off and Will Smith's single "Switch".[2] 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, and released an instrumental album, Break Beat Diaries.

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

In 2015, Kwamé formed Make Noise Recordings. Distributed by Caroline / Capitol records, Kwamé signed R&B singer Vivian Green and released her fifth album, Vivid. Also garnered a top 2 R&B hit "Get Right Back To My Baby" & top 15 R&B Hit "Grown Folks Music (Work)" .

In 2016, TV One aired an episode of Unsung featuring Kwamé, in which he scored all the music for his episode.

In 2017, Make Noise released Vivian Green's sixth album VGVI reaching No. 38 on the Billboard R&B albums chart. The single "I Don't Know" reached the top 10 on the Billboard adult R&B chart. In 2018, Make Noise released "Vibes", the second single from VGVI. This reached No. 12 on the Adult R&B chart.

Personal life

Kwamé has stated he is a cousin of Vin Diesel,[6] who danced in some of his early music videos.[7]

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" — 7
"Sweet Thang" — 20
1990 "Ownleeeue" 33 3 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

References

  1. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 191. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hall, Rashaun (2004-10-07). "Lloyd Banks, Eminem Help Kwame Set The Polka Dots 'On Fire'". MTV.com. Archived from the original on 2005-02-05. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  3. ^ The Fly Guy (2007-07-20). "Express Yourself: The Genius Of Kwamé". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
  4. ^ "Nastee - Kwamé & A New Beginning". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  5. ^ a b Paine (2004-07-07). "Kwame: Nobody's Laughing". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  6. ^ Shawn Prez (2023-05-13). Kwame on being shocked when his cousin Vin Diesel blew up. Double dating with 2Pac & Yoyo. Part 8. Event occurs at 8:03. Retrieved 2024-11-24 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "In Tha Background: Kwame - Once dissed by Biggie... But Now?". HipHopDX.com. 2002-09-06. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012.

Media related to Kwame Holland at Wikimedia Commons

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