Kwamé
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (May 2013) |
Kwamé | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | K-1 Million, K1 Mil |
| Genres | Hip hop, R&B, Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, Producer |
| Years active | 1988–1994, 2001–present |
| Labels | Atlantic Records |
Kwamé Holland (born 1973) is an American emcee who enjoyed brief popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is currently a music producer sometimes credited as K-1 Million or K1 Mil.
Biography
Kwamé was 16 when he released his debut album Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring a New Beginning in 1989, which was produced by him and Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. A New Beginning was his backing band and Kwamé was one of the rare emcees at the time to use a live band. The album spawned the singles "The Man We All Know and Love" and "The Rhythm." The accompanying music videos featured a polka-dot motif in the costumes and production design. This was to become Kwamé's trademark, and it started a hip hop fashion trend as fans began wearing polka-dotted clothing.[1][2] In 1990, his second album A Day in the Life: a Pokadelick Adventure also produced by Kwamé, was released. It was a concept album about a day in the life of a high school student. The album spawned the hit singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue."[1] Holland is a cousin of Vin Diesel, who danced in some of his early music videos.[3]
In 1992, he released his third album, Nastee. Now 18, Kwamé tried an image change by discarding the polka-dots and writing more sexually charged lyrics in contrast to his previously playful, intellectual persona. The title track was a minor hit but the album quickly fell from the charts.[4] His fourth album, 1994's Incognito failed to chart.[1][4]
In 2000, Kwamé reemerged as a music producer Sometimes nicknamed K-1 Million. He worked with many artists, such as LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera. In 2004, he had a major success as the co-producer (with Eminem) of Lloyd Banks' smash hit song "On Fire."[1] In 2005, he had even more success with Will Smith's single "Switch".[1] As a producer, Kwamé sold over 30 million records.
Kwamé also scores and provides music for film and TV. Some film credits include Drum Line, Step Up 1 & 2, Stomp the Yard, Freedom Writers, The Comebacks, Coach Carter, Fantastic Four, and The Great Gatsby, to name a few.
Kwamé is currently crafting the sound for Atlantic Records recording artist Lauriana Mae, and has also joined the classic hip hop group the Alumni (Hip Hop Elite), which is comprised of Chubb Rock, Dana Dane, Special Ed, and Monie Love.
In 2012, Kwamé teamed up with Vin Diesel to help score his web series The Ropes. He also formed the boutique label Make Noise, which features the artist Beyond Belief, which released its debut album in 2009 titled What About Bob?.
In 2012, Kwamé released an instrumental album on his Make Noise label that was titled Break Beat Diaries.
Kwamé is an avid toy collector and also has a company and Web site called www.Geekmodeonline.com, which showcases original content and all things comic book-related.
Discography (As a Artist)
Albums
- Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning (1989)
- A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure (1990)
- Nastee (1992)
- Incognito (1994, Ichiban Records)
- Break Beat Diaries (Instrumental Album) (2012, MAKE NOISE Recordings)
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" | 57 | 1 | ||
| "Ugotz 2 get Down" | — | 7 | ||
| "Sweet Thang" | — | 20 | ||
| 1990 | "Ownleeeue" | 33 | 1 | 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 |
Discography (As a Producer)
Selected production discography
- Mary J. Blige - "Love" (album: No More Drama) (2001)
- LL Cool J - "10 Million Stars", "Throw Ya L's Up" (album: 10) (2002)
- Dru Hill - "No Doubt" (album: Dru World Order) (2002)
- Nick Cannon - "Scared of You" (album: Drumline soundtrack) (2002)
- Lady May feat. Blu Cantrell - "Round Up" (album: May Day) (2002)
- JoJo - "Breezy" (album: JoJo) (2004)
- Lloyd Banks - "On Fire" (album: Hunger for More) (2004)
- Will Smith - "Switch" (album: Lost & Found) (2005)
- Tweet feat. Missy Elliott - "Turn da Lights Off", "We Don't Need No Water" (album: It's Me Again) (2005)
- Teairra Mari - "New Sh*t", "No Daddy" (album: Roc-a-Fella Records presents Teairra Mari) (2005)
- Pussycat Dolls - "Bite da Dust" (album: PCD) (2005)
- Red Cafe - "All Night Long" (album: Coach Carter soundtrack) (2005)
- Fantasia - "Not The Way That I Do" (album: Fantasia (2006)
- Method Man - "Fall Out", "For Ever", "O.D. On Em" (album: 4:21) (2006)
- Chingy feat. Fat Man Scoop - "Lets Ride" (album: Hoodstar) (2006)
- 3LW & Young Joc - "Bout It" (album: Step Up soundtrack) (2006)
- Christina Aguilera - "Understand" (album: Back to Basics) (2006)
- Skillz - "Sick" (album: Million Dollar Backpack) (2006)
- Mya feat. Charli Baltimore & Penelope Jones - "I Am" (album: Liberation) (2007)
- Talib Kweli - "Listen" (album: Eardrum) (2007)
- Raven-Symoné - "Green", "That Girl" (album: Raven-Symoné) (2008)
- Keyshia Cole - "No Other" (album: A Different Me) (2008)
- Algebra Blessett - "Run & Hide", "Half Way", "Can I Keep You" (album: Purpose) (2008)
- Day26 - "Come with Me" (album: Day26) (2008)
- Raheem Devaughn - "Friday(Shut The Club Down)" (album: Love Behind The Melody) (2008)
- Jesse McCartney - "Make Up" (album: Departure) (2009)
References
- ^ a b c d e Hall, Rashaun (2004-10-07). "Lloyd Banks, Eminem Help Kwame Set The Polka Dots 'On Fire'". MTV.com. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ The Fly Guy (2007-07-20). "Express Yourself: The Genius Of Kwamé". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ "In Tha Background: Kwame - Once dissed by Biggie... But Now?". HipHopDX.com. 2002-09-06.
- ^ a b Paine (2004-07-07). "Kwame: Nobody's Laughing". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2008-05-05.