January 14, 1968 James Todd Smith (L. L. Cool J), rapper, actor, and author, was born in Bay Shore, New York. In 1985, Cool J’s debut album, “Radio,” was released to critical acclaim and went platinum with more than 1.5 million in sales. Other albums followed, including “Bigger and Deffer” (1987), “Mr. Smith” (1995), “G.O.A.T.” [...]
Tag Archives | rapper
November 4th in African American History - Sean John “Diddy” Combs
November 4, 1969 Sean John “Diddy” Combs, rapper, record producer, fashion designer, and entrepreneur, was born in Harlem, New York. Combs attended Howard University but dropped out after becoming a top executive at Uptown Records. In 1993, he established Bad Boy Records where he signed and produced The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Mariah Carey, and [...]
July 6th in African American History – Curtis James Jackson, III (50 Cent)
July 6, 1975 Curtis James Jackson, III (50 Cent), rapper and actor, was born in Queens, New York. Jackson’s first official appearance was on a song titled “React” with the group Onyx in 1998. In 2000, he released the album, “Power of the Dollar.” Jackson’s breakthrough occurred with the 2003 release of the album “Get [...]
June 16th in African American History – Tupac Amaru Shakur
June 16, 1971 Tupac Amaru Shakur, hip hop rapper and actor, was born in New York City. Shakur was named after Tupac Amaru II, a Peruvian revolutionary who led an indigenous uprising against Spain and was subsequently executed. In 1986, his family moved to Baltimore where Shakur attended the Baltimore School for the Arts and [...]
June 8th in African American History – Kanye Omari West
June 8, 1977 Kanye Omari West, rapper and record producer, was born in Atlanta, Georgia. West attended the American Academy of Art and Chicago State University but dropped out to focus on his music career. He first gained recognition for producing hit singles for artists such as Jay-Z, Common, Alicia Keys, and John Legend. In [...]
March 18th in African American History – Dana Elaine Owens (Queen Latifah)
March 18, 1970 Dana Elaine Owens (Queen Latifah), rapper, singer and actress, was born in Newark, New Jersey. Latifah started rapping in 1987 with the group Ladies Fresh and released her first album, “All Hail the Queen,” in 1989. Other rap albums include “Nature of a Sista” (1991) and “Order in the Court” (1998). In [...]
September 25th in African American History – Willard Christopher “Will” Smith
September 25, 1968 Willard Christopher “Will” Smith, rapper, actor and film producer, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While still in his teens, he began rapping and collaborating with Jeff Townes and “DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince” was born. The combination was a hip-hop hit during the 1980s and early 1990s creating such songs [...]