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{{short description|American rapper}}
⚫
{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->

{{Infobox musical artist
⚫
| <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name = Vakill
| name = Vakill
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| background = solo_singer
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Donald Mason
| birth_name = Donald Mason
| Born = March 21, 1975
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|March 21, 1975}}
| Age = 32
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| origin = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S.
| origin = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| years_active = 1991–present
| years_active = 1991–present
| label = Molemen Records
| label = Molemen Records
| associated_acts = [[Molemen]]
| associated_acts = [[Molemen (producers)|Molemen]]
}}
}}


'''Vakill''' (born '''Donald Mason''', March 21, 1975) is an [[United States|American]] [[rapper]] from [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. Vakill is known through his association with Chicago Hip Hop collective [[Molemen|The Molemen]], and for his literate, witty, [[punch line]]-filled lyricism and detailed story-telling.
'''Donald Mason''', also known as '''Vakill''' (Born in March 21, 1975) is an American [[rapper]] from [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Vakill {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/vakill-mn0000254647|website = AllMusic|access-date = 2015-11-02}}</ref> Vakill is known through his association with Chicago Hip Hop collective [[Molemen (producers)|The Molemen]], and has released three studio albums.


==Early years==
==Early years==
Raised on the [[South side of Chicago]] on 119th Street, Vakill was involved in Hip Hop at as early as eight years old, originally focusing on the [[break dancing]] element of the [[Hip hop culture|culture]]. So while the culture continually evolved through the '80s and the music began to take center stage, Vakill began focusing rhyming, and found inspiration from respected lyricists such as [[Kool G Rap]], [[Pharoahe Monch]] and [[Nas]]. In 1991, the young emcee met a high school classmate named Ed Zamudio at a local weekly event called Terrordome. Zamudio, later known as Panik, and Vakill, along with producers Memo and PNS, soon formed the [[Molemen]], which would become one of the most prominent collectives in Chicago Hip Hop.
Raised on the [[South side of Chicago]] on 119th Street, Vakill was involved in Hip Hop at as early as eight years old, originally focusing on the [[break dancing]] element of the [[Hip hop culture|culture]]. In the '80s, Vakill began focusing rhyming, and found inspiration from respected lyricists such as [[Kool G Rap]], [[Pharoahe Monch]] and [[Nas]]. In 1991, he met a high school classmate named Ed Zamudio at a local weekly event called Terrordome. Zamudio, later known as Panik, and Vakill, along with producers Memo and PNS formed the [[Molemen (producers)|Molemen]].<ref name=":0" />


==Recording history==
==Recording history==
Vakill debuted as a solo artist in 1995, with the release of a [[Compact Cassette|cassette]] titled ''Who's Afraid?''. He remained on the local scene throughout the late '90s, making numerous collaborations, and releasing a number of singles, most notably 1996's "Keep the Fame", a collaboration with veteran emcee [[Percee P]] and future Chicago Hip Hop star [[Rhymefest]]. In following years, Vakill contributed tracks to subsequent releases by the Molemen, with "Final Thought" appearing on the 1997 EP ''Below the Ground'', "Know the Bidness" appearing on the 1998 EP ''Buried Alive'', "Urban Legend" appearing on the 2001 album ''Chicago City Limits, Vol. 1'', and "The Equinox" and "Face Down" appearing on the 2001 album ''Ritual of the Molemen''. 2001 saw the release of a Vakill compilation titled ''Kill Em All'', featuring all the tracks from ''Who's Afraid?'', as well as a number of songs and freestyles recorded throughout the '90s.
Vakill debuted as a solo artist in 1995, with the release of a [[Compact Cassette|cassette]] titled ''Who's Afraid?''. He remained on the local scene throughout the late '90s, making numerous collaborations, and releasing a number of singles, most notably 1996's "Keep the Fame", a collaboration with veteran emcee [[Percee P]] and future Chicago Hip Hop star [[Rhymefest]]. In following years, Vakill contributed tracks to subsequent releases by the Molemen, with "Finyl Thought" appearing on the 1997 EP ''Below the Ground'', "Know the Bidness" appearing on the 1998 EP ''Buried Alive'', "Urban Legend" appearing on the 2001 album ''Chicago City Limits, Vol. 1'', and "The Equinox" and "Face Down" appearing on the 2001 album ''Ritual of the Molemen''. 2001 saw the release of a Vakill compilation titled ''Kill Em All'', featuring all the tracks from ''Who's Afraid?'', as well as a number of songs and freestyles recorded throughout the '90s.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Vakill - Kill'em All|url = http://www.discogs.com/Vakill-Killem-All/release/989261|website = Discogs|access-date = 2015-11-02}}</ref>


The emcee released his long-awaited debut album, ''[[The Darkest Cloud]]'', in 2003 on Molemen Records. The album was produced by Molemen members Panik and Memo, DJ Contakt and Mixx Massacre, and featured the single "End of Days". The album's sharp lyrics and dark production made it a hit with underground fans, and gave the rapper the most exposure of his career. While acclaimed, the album did not reach past rap's underground scene, and failed to produce a significant amount of sales. The rapper returned three years later with his second album, ''[[Worst Fears Confirmed]]'', released in early 2006. The album featured production from the Molemen, as well as appearances from acclaimed lyricists [[Ras Kass]] and [[Royce Da 5'9"]]. Reception for the album was overwhelmingly positive, with [[Allmusic]] and Prefix Magazine both giving the album a 4½ star rating. The album gave the rapper wider media exposure, leading to features in [[XXL (magazine)|XXL Magazine]] and on AllHipHop.com. Vakill was also featured in the Phat Tape section of the November 2006 issue of [[The Source (magazine)|The Source Magazine]], and in its Off The Radar section in the July issue. Vakill is currently recording material for his third studio album, tentatively titled ''The Armor of God''.
The emcee released his long-awaited debut album, ''[[The Darkest Cloud]]'', in 2003 on Molemen Records.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Vakill - The Darkest Cloud|url = http://www.discogs.com/Vakill-The-Darkest-Cloud/release/846253|website = Discogs|access-date = 2015-11-02}}</ref> The album was produced by Molemen members Panik and Memo, DJ Contakt and Mixx Massacre, and featured the single "End of Days". While acclaimed, the album did not reach past rap's underground scene, and failed to produce a significant amount of sales.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Vakill :: The Darkest Cloud :: Molemen Records|url = http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_thedarkestcloud.html|website = www.rapreviews.com|access-date = 2015-11-02}}</ref> The rapper returned three years later with his second album, ''[[Worst Fears Confirmed]]'', released in early 2006. The album featured production from the Molemen, as well as appearances from acclaimed lyricists [[Ras Kass]] and [[Royce Da 5'9"]]. In 2011 he released his third studio album ''The Armor of God''.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Vakill - Armor Of God|url = http://www.discogs.com/Vakill-Armor-Of-God/release/3035995|website = Discogs|access-date = 2015-11-02}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
⚫
! align="left" | Album information
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
⚫
!align="left"|Album information
|-
|-
|align="left"|''[[Kill 'Em All (Vakill album)|Kill 'Em All]]'' ([[Compilation album]])
| align="left" | ''[[The Darkest Cloud]]''
*Released: September 11, 2001
* Released: May 5, 2003
*Label: Molemen Records
* Label: Molemen Records
⚫
* Singles: "End of Days"/"Sickplicity"/"The Creed"
|-
|-
|align="left"|''[[The Darkest Cloud]]''
| align="left" | ''[[Worst Fears Confirmed]]''
*Released: May 5, 2003
* Released: January 31, 2006
*Label: Molemen Records
* Label: Molemen Records
⚫
*Singles: "End of Days"/"Sickplicity"/"The Creed"
|-
|-
|align="left"|''[[Worst Fears Confirmed]]''
| align="left" | '''''Armor of God'''''
*Released: January 31, 2006
* Released: June 14, 2011
*Label: Molemen Records
* Label: Molemen Records
|-
|align="left"|'''''Armor of God'''''
*Released: June 14, 2011
*Label: Molemen Records
|}
|}


===EPs/Singles===
===EPs/Singles===
*''Who's Afraid?'' ([[Extended play|EP]], 1995)
* ''Who's Afraid?'' ([[Extended play|EP]], 1995)
*"Flows You Can't Imagine" ([[Single (music)|Single]], 2000)
* "Flows You Can't Imagine" ([[Single (music)|Single]], 2000)
*"Out the Speakers" (Single, 2000)
* "Out the Speakers" (Single, 2000)
*"Va2K" (Single, 2000)
* "Va2K" (Single, 2000)
*"End of Days" (Single, 2003)
* "End of Days" (Single, 2003)
*"World War V" (EP, 2011)
* "World War V" (TBA)


==Appears on==
==Appears on==
*1996 "Keep the Fame" (from the single "Taste of Chicago" b/w "Keep the Fame")
* 1996 "Keep the Fame" (from the single "Taste of Chicago" b/w "Keep the Fame")
*1997 "Finyl Thought" (from the Molemen EP ''Below the Ground'')
* 1997 "Finyl Thought" (from the Molemen EP ''Below the Ground'')
*1998 "Know the Bittness" (from the Molemen EP ''Buried Alive'')
* 1998 "Know the Bittness" (from the Molemen EP ''Buried Alive'')
*2001 "Urban Legend" (from the Molemen album ''Chicago City Limits, Vol. 1'')
* 2001 "Urban Legend" (from the Molemen album ''Chicago City Limits, Vol. 1'')
*2001 "The Equinox", "Face Down" (from the Molemen album ''Ritual of the Molemen'')
* 2001 "The Equinox", "Face Down" (from the Molemen album ''Ritual of the Molemen'')
*2002 "It's On" (from the DJ Vadim album ''U.S.S.R.: The Art of Listening'')
* 2002 "It's On" (from the DJ Vadim album ''U.S.S.R.: The Art of Listening'')
* 2005 "Can You Relate" (from the Molemen compilation ''Lost Sessions'')

*2005 "Can You Relate" (from the Molemen compilation ''Lost Sessions'')
* 2006 "Cold War (Remix)", "Under the Gun" (from the Molemen compilation ''Chicago City Limits, Vol. 2'')
*2006 "Cold War (Remix)", "Under the Gun" (from the Molemen compilation ''Chicago City Limits, Vol. 2'')
* 2006 "V" (from the Molemen album ''[[Killing Fields (album)|Killing Fields]]'')
* 2013 "Cypher" (off Juellz Album "Jewelz")
*2006 "V" (from the Molemen album ''[[Killing Fields (album)|Killing Fields]]'')


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
*[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p393080|pure_url=yes}} Vakill Allmusic biography]


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://molemen.com Molemen website]
* [http://molemen.com/ Molemen website]
*[http://mobilizacja.pl/index.php?akcja=teksty&podstrona=2&id_nr=59 Interview for Mobilizacja Magazine]
* [http://mobilizacja.pl/index.php?akcja=teksty&podstrona=2&id_nr=59 Interview for Mobilizacja Magazine]

{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Vakill
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Mason, Donald
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American rapper
| DATE OF BIRTH = March 21, 1975
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:American male rappers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American rappers]]
[[Category:Rappers from Chicago]]
[[Category:Musicians from Chicago, Illinois]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]

Revision as of 13:05, 2 August 2024

Vakill
Birth nameDonald Mason
BornMarch 21, 1975 (1975-03-21) (age 49)
OriginChicago, Illinois, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Years active1991–present
LabelsMolemen Records

Donald Mason, also known as Vakill (Born in March 21, 1975) is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois.[1] Vakill is known through his association with Chicago Hip Hop collective The Molemen, and has released three studio albums.

Early years

Raised on the South side of Chicago on 119th Street, Vakill was involved in Hip Hop at as early as eight years old, originally focusing on the break dancing element of the culture. In the '80s, Vakill began focusing rhyming, and found inspiration from respected lyricists such as Kool G Rap, Pharoahe Monch and Nas. In 1991, he met a high school classmate named Ed Zamudio at a local weekly event called Terrordome. Zamudio, later known as Panik, and Vakill, along with producers Memo and PNS formed the Molemen.[1]

Recording history

Vakill debuted as a solo artist in 1995, with the release of a cassette titled Who's Afraid?. He remained on the local scene throughout the late '90s, making numerous collaborations, and releasing a number of singles, most notably 1996's "Keep the Fame", a collaboration with veteran emcee Percee P and future Chicago Hip Hop star Rhymefest. In following years, Vakill contributed tracks to subsequent releases by the Molemen, with "Finyl Thought" appearing on the 1997 EP Below the Ground, "Know the Bidness" appearing on the 1998 EP Buried Alive, "Urban Legend" appearing on the 2001 album Chicago City Limits, Vol. 1, and "The Equinox" and "Face Down" appearing on the 2001 album Ritual of the Molemen. 2001 saw the release of a Vakill compilation titled Kill Em All, featuring all the tracks from Who's Afraid?, as well as a number of songs and freestyles recorded throughout the '90s.[2]

The emcee released his long-awaited debut album, The Darkest Cloud, in 2003 on Molemen Records.[3] The album was produced by Molemen members Panik and Memo, DJ Contakt and Mixx Massacre, and featured the single "End of Days". While acclaimed, the album did not reach past rap's underground scene, and failed to produce a significant amount of sales.[4] The rapper returned three years later with his second album, Worst Fears Confirmed, released in early 2006. The album featured production from the Molemen, as well as appearances from acclaimed lyricists Ras Kass and Royce Da 5'9". In 2011 he released his third studio album The Armor of God.[5]

Discography

Album information
The Darkest Cloud
  • Released: May 5, 2003
  • Label: Molemen Records
  • Singles: "End of Days"/"Sickplicity"/"The Creed"
Worst Fears Confirmed
  • Released: January 31, 2006
  • Label: Molemen Records
Armor of God
  • Released: June 14, 2011
  • Label: Molemen Records

EPs/Singles

  • Who's Afraid? (EP, 1995)
  • "Flows You Can't Imagine" (Single, 2000)
  • "Out the Speakers" (Single, 2000)
  • "Va2K" (Single, 2000)
  • "End of Days" (Single, 2003)
  • "World War V" (TBA)

Appears on

  • 1996 "Keep the Fame" (from the single "Taste of Chicago" b/w "Keep the Fame")
  • 1997 "Finyl Thought" (from the Molemen EP Below the Ground)
  • 1998 "Know the Bittness" (from the Molemen EP Buried Alive)
  • 2001 "Urban Legend" (from the Molemen album Chicago City Limits, Vol. 1)
  • 2001 "The Equinox", "Face Down" (from the Molemen album Ritual of the Molemen)
  • 2002 "It's On" (from the DJ Vadim album U.S.S.R.: The Art of Listening)
  • 2005 "Can You Relate" (from the Molemen compilation Lost Sessions)
  • 2006 "Cold War (Remix)", "Under the Gun" (from the Molemen compilation Chicago City Limits, Vol. 2)
  • 2006 "V" (from the Molemen album Killing Fields)
  • 2013 "Cypher" (off Juellz Album "Jewelz")

References

  1. ^ a b "Vakill | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  2. ^ "Vakill - Kill'em All". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  3. ^ "Vakill - The Darkest Cloud". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  4. ^ "Vakill :: The Darkest Cloud :: Molemen Records". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  5. ^ "Vakill - Armor Of God". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
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