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Beanie Sigel

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Beanie Sigel
Birth nameDwight Grant
Born (1974-03-06) March 6, 1974 (age 50)
OriginSouth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
GenresHip hop
Years active1994–present
LabelsRoc-A-Fella Records (1998–2009)
G-Unit Philly (2011–present)

Dwight Grant, (born March 6, 1974), [1] also known as Beanie Sigel, is an American rapper[2] from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers Jay-Z, Freeway and other former and current artists on the Roc-A-Fella roster. His stage name comes from a street in South Philadelphia, the rapper's former stomping grounds where he worked alongside Senior Durham in the projects. He has sold more than two million albums worldwide. He decided to end his career in middle 2010 when he made his last song, "I Go Off" with 50 Cent who had signed Grant to his G-Unit Records label in 2009[3]. In early 2011 Grant appeared in Travis Barker's album Give the Drummer Some, saying that it was the end of his career. In May 31, 2011 Grant apologized to his former boss Jay-Z. But in an interview with DJ Green Lantern, he said that he had never "apologized" to Jay-Z, and that he was still making music.[4]

Music career

State Property (2002–2003)

In 2002, Sigel and much of the Roc roster starred in a Dame Dash-produced movie entitled State Property.[5] Its release coincided with the creation and promotion of State Property, a group of artists signed to Roc-A-Fella that hailed from Philadelphia and organized by Sigel and Freeway. Its members included Peedi Crakk, the Young Gunz Chris,Neef, Oschino and Omilio Sparks. Their first collaboration was for the movie's soundtrack, an eponymous release that featured the original "Roc the Mic" by Sigel and Freeway.[6] They followed up with 2003's The Chain Gang Vol. 2, featuring the single "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" by the Young Gunz; the record was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group.[7]

The B. Coming (2005)

In 2005 Sigel finished his 3rd album with the group B.O.M.N titled The Get Back", The B. Coming, and shot multiple videos, directed by Joe Briscella, before he had to serve a year long prison sentence for a 2004 weapons and drug possession arrest. During this time, Jay-Z ascended to the Presidency of Def Jam Records, causing former business partners Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke to split off and form the Dame Dash Music Group. Sigel's B. Coming was released on DDMG and Def Jam rather than Roc-A-Fella, but contained production from a slew of Roc/Jay-Z-affiliated producers including Chad West, The Neptunes, Just Blaze, Boola and Buckwild. Artists from both sides of the split were present on the record, from State Property members to Cam'ron and Jay-Z; the record spawned Sigel a hit with "Feel it in the Air," sold 131,000 copies in its first week.[8]

Advertising his friendship with the incarcerated Beanie, Dash publicly claimed the artist was leaving the roster with him; during the sentence, State Property was thrown into turmoil, eventually choosing to remain at Roc-A-Fella—apparently against Sigel's wishes. Upon his release, Beanie called the loyalty of his group into question and stated that he was signing with Dame and Biggs courtesy of a stronger casual relationship with the pair than with Jay-Z:

I've never been around Jay on an off day. It ain't like I made a choice of running with Dame and Biggs or 'Dame and Biggs held me down through my whole trial.' It's not that. I would be a sucker if I said I [signed with the Damon Dash Music Group] because they did that for me. It's love. You see how we chillin' now, this ain't about no business.[9]

Soon after, he clarified his comments, saying he simply didn't want to be involved in the conflict and electing to re-open talks with Roc-A-Fella instead of moving to DDMG.[9]

The Solution (2006–2007)

In 2006 Sigel resigned with Roc-A-Fella Records & started to recording for his fourth studio album The Solution.[10] On October 29, 2007 Sigel released the first single off The Solution entitled "All The Above" which featured R. Kelly it debuted on the U.S. R&B charts at #83. On May 22, 2007 Sigel released The Solution it debuted on the Billboard charts at #37.

The Classic (2009–Present)

In 2009 after finally getting out of his contracts with Roc-A-Fella & Def Jam. Beanie Sigel released his first Independent album The Broad Street Bully. In 2010 Sigel announced he was working on his fifth studio album entitled The Closure which was to be released from Universal Republic and G-Unit Records.[11] But on May 31, 2011 Sigel cancelled the album & retired from the music industry. But just after two weeks he later returned and started working on the album again. He then also renamed the album as The Classic. In 2011 Sigel signed with 50 Cent's subsidiary label G-Unit Philly and renewed his contract with G-Unit Records from 2009.[12] On July 13, 2011 Sigel released his first single from the album entitled "B-Boy Stance".[13]

Other ventures

Acting career

Beanie Sigel first appeared in the documentary "Backstage" but his first main role was in the hood movie State Property which spawned a sequel "State Property 2". Sigel released a DVD shortly after his third solo release "The B. Coming" entitled "The B. Coming of Beanie Sigel"in the year of 2005.[14] Sigel also auditioned for the lead role of the 2009 film "Notorious"[15]

Beanie Sigel also appeared in the 2011 film Rhyme and Punishment a documentary about Hip-Hop artist who have served time in county jail or state/federal prison. The film features an interview with Beanie Sigel where he discusses his conviction and life in prison.

Controversy

Jadakiss

The new millennium also saw various Roc artists, including Sigel, engage in a conflict with artists from Ruff Ryders.[16] Beanie was a forerunner of the beef, publicly decrying Jadakiss, the rest of the L.O.X. and DMX. While Sigel and Jadakiss both denied any violent intent, they continued to send shots back and forth until Beanie put out a freestyle over Jada's hit "Put Ya Hands Up".[17]


Shortyo

Sigel was involved in a minor feud with fellow Philly emcee Shortyo. Shortyo's Affiliated Records crew were involved in a scuffle with Sigel as well as hip-hop group Young Gunz outside of a store. At a Roc-A-Fella concert, members of Affiliated got into another scuffle with members of Roc-A-Fella. Shortyo would soon challenge Sigel to an on-air freestyle battle with $10,000 at stake. Sigel never showed up[1], resulting in Shortyo releasing a diss track titled "Lovely", where Shortyo dissed Sigel using the N-Word. Shortyo, who is white, gained criticism for his use of the word[2]. The feud has seemed to die down, as Shortyo signed Omillio Sparks to his label, and Affiliated artist Cyssero has done a song with Sigel.

Personal life

Religion

Much like Sigel's friend and fellow Philadelphia rapper Freeway, he practices the Islamic faith.[18]

Friendship with Scarface

Conversely, Sigel cultivated a friendship with southern rapper Scarface.[16] Having first appeared together on "This Can't Be Life" with Jay-Z from Dynasty, the two would go on to collaborate on Sigel's first two records, Scarface's The Fix, and later on Sigel's 2007 album The Solution.[16]

In 2004, Sigel was found guilty of federal weapons charges and sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison. In 2010, Sigel was charged with three counts of failing to file income tax returns between 2003–2005 on earnings of over $9.2 million.

Discography

Main article: Beanie Sigel discography
Studio albums
Independent albums
Collaboration albums

Fimography

Films
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Backstage As himself Cameo/Documentary
2002 Brown Sugar As himself Cameo
State Property Beans Main Role
Paper Soldiers Stu Main Role
2003 Death of a Dynasty Charles "Sandman" Patterson Support Role
2004 Fade to Black As himself Cameo/Documentary
2005 State Property 2 Beans Main Role
2007 Beef IV As himself Cameo/Documentary
2011 Rhyme and Punishment As himself Cameo/Documentary

References

  1. ^ "Beanie Segil Birthdate". Celebrity-link.com. 2007-05-06. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  2. ^ Off On A Tangent W/Beanie Sigel | Featurette | SOHH.com. July 13, 2004
  3. ^ "Beanie Sigel | Artists | Roc-A-Fella". Island Def Jam. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  4. ^ "Quote of The Day: Beanie Sigel Says He Never Apologized To Jay-Z". Complex. 2011-06-27. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  5. ^ State Property (2002). IMDB.com
  6. ^ "State Property: Various Artists, Evan Eder, Gregory Darryl Smith: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  7. ^ "Jay-Z, Beyonce, Outkast, Pharrell Nab Most Grammy Nominations", Jon Wiederhorn, VH-1, December 4, 2003.
  8. ^ Harris, Chris (2005-04-06). "50 Cent on top for 5th week". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  9. ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (2005-09-30). "Beanie Sigel Signing With G-Unit? May Be Best Way For MC To Avoid Picking Sides – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  10. ^ Bill Heinzelman (April 23, 2007). Beanie Sigel Streets On Lock XXL. Accessed 2007-11-21.
  11. ^ Ryon, Sean (2010-06-10). "Beanie Sigel Prepares "The Closure" For Universal | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  12. ^ Beanie Sigel Officially Signed To G-Unit? //. Dashadyspot.com (2010-08-16). Retrieved on 2011-11-29.
  13. ^ "Beanie Sigel – 'B-Boy Stance' (Final / Mastered) | HipHop-N-More". Hiphop-n-more.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  14. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r784857
  15. ^ "Bio | Beanie Sigel | Artists | Roc-A-Fella". Island Def Jam. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  16. ^ a b c "Beanie Sigel: Information from". Answers.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  17. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2001-08-09). "Jay-Z, Jadakiss Say Beef Good, Violence Bad – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  18. ^ Ortiz, Edwin (2009-05-08). "Freeway, Beanie Sigel Talk Islam, Religious Practices | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  19. ^ Harling, Danielle (2011-01-18). "Beanie Sigel Expresses Interest In Cash Money | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2011-08-05.

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