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Iamsu!

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Iamsu!
Iamsu! in March 2014
Iamsu! in March 2014
Background information
Birth nameSudan Ameer Williams[1]
Also known asSu
Born (1989-11-16) November 16, 1989 (age 35)[2]
Richmond, California, U.S
OriginRichmond, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2007–present
Labels
  • HBK Gang
  • Eyes On Me
Websitehbkiamsu.com

Sudan Ameer Williams (born November 16, 1989) better known by his stage name Iamsu!, is an American hip hop recording artist, singer, songwriter, and record producer most known for his features on "Gas Pedal", "Function", and "Up!" as well as his own singles "By My Side", "Famous" and "Only That Real", with the latter being the lead single of his debut studio album, Sincerely Yours. He has produced and featured many artists such as Tinashe, Sage the Gemini, Kehlani, Hit Boy, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, DJ Mustard, Casey Veggies, Lil B, G-Eazy, and the HBK Gang.

Early life

Sudan Ameer Williams was born on November 16, 1989, in Richmond, California, however, he moved to live in Pinole. At a young age, he would be listening to artists such as Kanye West, R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Marching Band, The Grammar Band and reggae music. At the age of 14, he began making music. Around that time, he was "always playing with instruments and messing around with music". Once he attended high school, he be started learning about how to make beats on the computer.[1] In 2007, after graduating from Pinole Valley High School, he began college at Cal State East Bay, to major in communications. Once he started to get recognition, he moved to the online classes, however, he went back to in-class schooling during his senior year.[1][3]

Career

2009–12: Career beginnings

In 2009, Iamsu! started rapping under his stage name "Su", but then he decided to change it to Iamsu!, due to search engine optimization.[4] On July 4, 2010, he released his first mixtape, titled Su! The Right Thing. In 2011, Iamsu! produced, co-wrote and featured on LoveRance's hit single "Up!", which also included fellow rapper 50 Cent on a remix. The song peaked at number 46 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached at number 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[2][5] He followed with his appearance on E-40's hit song "Function", along with rappers Problem and YG. The song peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[6] In 2012, he also featured on Jonn Hart's track "Who Booty" and Wiz Khalifa's track "Bout Me".[5]

2012–13: $uzy 6 Speed, Million Dollar Afro and Kilt II

On October 2, 2012, Iamsu! released his previous mixtapes: Kilt, Young California and Su! The Right Thing, on iTunes for sale. On November 12, 2012, Iamsu! released another mixtape, titled $uzy 6 Speed. This mixtape features guest appearances from Juvenile, Problem and Wiz Khalifa. It contained the single "Mobbin'" and received critical acclaim upon the release.[3][7][8] On February 13, 2013, both Iamsu! and Problem, released a collaboration mixtape, titled Million Dollar Afro.[9] The mixtape would be praised by Tom Breihan of Stereogum and Spin, and was named mixtape one of the best rap releases of 2013.[10][11] This mixtape features guest appearances from Juvenile, King L, Bad Lucc, Too Short, Omarion, Short Dawg and Wiz Khalifa, among others.[12] To promote the mixtape, he been touring with Problem on the 10-stop "Million Dollar Afro Tour".[9] On March 5, 2013, Spin named Iamsu! as the tenth "Hottest MC in the Game".[13]

In May 2013, Iamsu! began his first headlining tour, in promotion of his then upcoming mixtape, titled Kilt II.[3] On June 6, 2013, Iamsu! released Kilt II as a retail mixtape, for free and to iTunes on July 9, 2013.[14] The production was primarily handled by Iamsu!, along with other members of The Invasion.[15] Pitchfork Media gave the mixtape a 7.5 out of 10 rating saying, the mixtape "doubles down on all of his strongest and most likeable qualities: Largely self-produced, high-energy, and creative, it shows Iamsu! continuing to transform from a promising, agreeable Bay Area rap figure into a burgeoning star."[4][16] Spin would also praise the mixtape saying, "As much a showcase of Iamsu!'s production prowess as it is evidence of his unique lyrical skills, the new tape is an enjoyably bumpy ride through treble-y bleeps, bassy bloops, tinny drums, and hard-hustling vocals."[17] Following its release, he told HipHopDX that he was working with Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz on their upcoming albums Blacc Hollywood and B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time. He would eventually appear on "Livin", taken from 2 Chainz album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time (2013).[18]

2013–present: Sincerely Yours and Kilt 3

Main article: Sincerely Yours (Iamsu! album)

Iamsu! was also featured on Sage the Gemini's 2013's hit single "Gas Pedal", which peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it both artist's first top 40 entries and their most successful single to date. On August 12, 2013, Iamsu! and his group HBK Gang, released a compilation mixtape, titled Gang Forever.[19] On December 3, 2013, Iamsu! released "Hipster Girls as the second single from Kilt II.[20] On January 3, 2014, Iamsu! released a remix to YG's "Who Do You Love", where he was hinted at being signed and planning to release his debut album. On January 7, 2014, he announced that his debut album would be titled Sincerely Yours and be released in April 2014. He also confirmed that the first single would feature Sage the Gemini.[21] On January 28, 2014, he released the album's first single, titled "Only That Real", featuring Sage the Gemini and 2 Chainz.[22] The album was then set for a May 13, 2014, release date.[23] Following the release of his debut album, Iamsu! released a collaboration album with Problem, titled Million Dollar Afro 2 and another HBK Gang project.[24]

In 2015, he began touring worldwide to promote his second studio album, KILT 3. The first single "Up All Night" followed February 14, 2016. The album was released March 24, 2016.

Discography

Main article: Iamsu! discography

References

  1. ^ a b c "Iamsu! Interview Sphinx Chains, College, Yeezus". Complex. June 21, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Watch Iamsu's 'Father God' Video - Video". Rolling Stone. July 2, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "IAmSu! Talks Being in College, Avoiding Groupies, and Tour Life". Vibe. May 23, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "IamSu! Is Playing Noisey's May Rap Party, So We Interviewed Him | NOISEY". Noisey.vice.com. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "IAmSu! revitalizes Bay Area rap - The Daily Californian". Dailycal.org. May 9, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  6. ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/e-40/chart-history/r%26b/hip-hop-songs
  7. ^ Gotty (November 12, 2012). "Download: IamSu! - $uzy 6 Speed Mixtape". Smokingsection.uproxx.com. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  8. ^ Soderberg, Brandon (October 25, 2012). "First Spin: Iamsu's 'Mobbin'' | SPIN | No Trivia". SPIN. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  9. ^ a b "IamSu! And Problem Teach You Double Date Etiquette - XXL". Xxlmag.com. May 15, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  10. ^ "Mixtape Of The Week: Problem & Iamsu! Million Dollar Afro". Stereogum. April 10, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  11. ^ "Iamsu! - MTV T.R.U. Life: The REAL 10 Hottest MCs in the Game | SPIN | Discover | SPIN Lists". SPIN. March 5, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  12. ^ "New Mixtape: Problem x Iamsu! 'Million Dollar Afro'". MissInfo.tv. February 16, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  13. ^ "Iamsu! - MTV T.R.U. Life: The REAL 10 Hottest MCs in the Game | SPIN | Discover | SPIN Lists". SPIN. March 5, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  14. ^ "iTunes - Music - Kilt II (Deluxe Edition) by IamSu". Itunes.apple.com. July 9, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  15. ^ "Download Iamsu!'s Kilt 2 Mixtape « The FADER". Thefader.com. June 6, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  16. ^ "Iamsu!: Kilt II | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. June 28, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  17. ^ "Hear Iamsu!'s 'Kilt 2' Mixtape, a Hi-Fi Ratchet Revelation | SPIN | SPIN Mix | Songs". SPIN. June 7, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  18. ^ Kim, Emmeline (June 25, 2013). "IamSu! Working With 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  19. ^ "Iamsu! & HBK Gang Releases New Mixtape, 'Gang Forever' - XXL". Xxlmag.com. August 12, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  20. ^ "Hipster Girls - Single". iTunes. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  21. ^ ericdiep (January 7, 2014). "Iamsu! Reveals Title Of Debut Album Due Out In April". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  22. ^ "Iamsu! – "Only That Real" (Feat. 2 Chainz & Sage The Gemini)". Stereogum. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  23. ^ emmanuel (April 8, 2014). "Here's The Tracklist and Cover Art For Iamsu!'s Album". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  24. ^ "My name is Iamsu!. My new album is called Sincerely Yours. AMA. : IAmA". reddit. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
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