Through trials and tribulations, Bobby Valentino has navigated through rough waters of the music industry. At age 13, he was one of the artists in Organized Noize's teen vocal group Mista, whose debut single, "Blackberry Molasses," remains a classic to this day. Following his graduation from Atlanta University in May 2004, he found an internship at a TV station and spent some of his free time volunteering for his dad's Atlanta Gardening Program where participants learn to grow and care for fruits and vegetables, but continued to record and stay in the midst of the Atlanta recording scene. Always impressed by Bobby Valentino's vocal ability, when the timing was right Ludacris and Chaka Zulu, the President of Disturbing Tha Peace Records, offered him a deal.

The ensuing days found Bobby Valentino reuniting with Mista's producers, Tim & Bob (Jodeci, Jagged Edge, Case), who wound up producing most of the album. Between Bobby's skills as a writer ("I'm a young dude, but I know a little something about relationships," he jokes.) and Tim & Bob's tracks the album was finished in just a few short months.

"I love working with Tim & Bob; they work best with me; they are the most talented brothers I have ever met. Tim & Bob are not just producers, but musicians as well. They totally know music, and it was a blessing to be able to work with them again."

Bobby's first single, "Slow Down," proved to be a wise choice for his foray as an adult vocalist, picking up hundreds of radio spins nearly from the first week of its release. As listeners hone in on Bobby's extraordinary vocal ability, they will be teased by such tunes as "Love Dream," in which he uses his falsetto in a manner reminiscent of classic singers from the 70's. The poignant "My Angel," focuses on the magical chemistry between a man and his true love.

Bobby Valentino's debut release, 'Disturbing Tha Peace Presents Bobby Valentino' , on Disturbing Tha Peace/Island Def Jam Records, is a testament to young adult relationships from a man's point of view, focusing on Bobby Valentino's incredible vocal range Disturbing Tha Peace Presents: BOBBY VALENTINO purely showcases the haunting, mesmerizing vocal ability possessed by a young male vocalist whose talents belie his age.

he most idiosyncratic personality in rap and possessor of its most recognizable delivery, a halting, ragga-inspired style with incredible complexity, inventiveness, and humor, Busta Rhymes formed Leaders of the New School in 1990 and released two albums with the group before breaking out with a 1996 solo hit single, 'Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check'

Born in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, in 1972 of Jamaican heritage (a definite influence on his rapping style), Busta moved to Long Island in 1983 and, at Uniondale High School, met up with MCs Charlie Brown, Dinco D., and Cut Monitor Milo. Inspired by fellow Long Islanders Public Enemy and Eric B. & Rakim, the foursome united as Leaders of the New School and signed a deal with Elektra Records right out of the gate, when Busta was only 17 years old.

Much respected in the hip-hop underground for their Afrocentric philosophy and tough rapping styles, Leaders of the New School debuted in 1991 with Future Without a Past but released only one more album, 1993's T.I.M.E., before breaking up the following year.

His self-titled debut album release on November 29, 2005 landed Chris Brown into the R&B music scene with a loud thud, his first single, 'Run It!' instantly soared to the second rank of both Billboard Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop Chartas well as appearancs on 'Live with Regis & Kelly' and Vibe Awards in the same month. Selected to host the 2005 American Music Awards' Red Carpet for Access Hollywood demonstrated that this young gifted singer, without doubt, has become one of the year's sensational acts in American music industry with his genuine style and creativity.

Born as Christopher Brown on May 5, 1989 in Tappahannock, Virginia, he has been drawn to music since his childhood and was heavily influenced by the sounds of Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Anita Baker. However, it was not until the age of 11 that he actually possesses an amazing voice, thanks to his mother who quickly noticed her son's talent after she heard him singing around their house. Encouraged by this supportive woman to see some local producers, the thirteen-years-old boy got the attention of a small production team - swo much so that they agreed to help him record a few songs as his demo. “There were ups and downs,” he described the process. “But I loved it and I knew I wanted to do it.”

Dubbed the 'First Lady of Crunk & B' by the producer who should know, Lil Jon, singer Ciara burst onto the scene with the never-gonna-get-it single "Goodies," the breathy "answer song" to Petey Pablo's 'Freek-a-Leek'. She was born in Austin, Texas, but with her father in the Army, Ciara spent time living in Germany, New York, California, Arizona, and Nevada before landing in Atlanta.

In her early teens, she got a piece of paper out and wrote down her life's goal, to become a professional singer. She joined a girl group, worked on her songwriting, left the group, landed a publishing deal, and found a "music soul mate" when she met producer Jazze Pha. With Sean Garrett, the co-writer of Usher's massive hit "Yeah!," Ciara co-wrote "Goodies," and when Lil Jon heard the demo, he knew it was going to be big. LaFace released the Lil Jon-produced track in the summer of 2004, and its quick climb up the charts was remarkable.

With help from Pha, Garrett, and Lil Jon, Ciara released her self-titled debut in September the same year.

Coolio was one of the first rappers to balance pop accessibility with gritty, street-level subject matter and language. Yet despite his nods to hardcore, his music is clearly more happy-go-lucky at heart; he shared the West Coast scene's love of laid-back '70s funk, and that attitude translated to his music far more often than Dr. Dre's Death Row/G-funk axis. Most of Coolio's hits are exuberant, good-time party anthems (save for his moody signature song "Gangsta's Paradise"), and he created a goofy, ingratiating persona in the videos that supported them.

Accompanied by DJ Brian "Wino" Dobbs, Coolio recorded his debut album, 'It Takes a Thief,' released in 1994. The lead single, "County Line," was a humorous recounting of the indignities of welfare, but the album really took off when 'Fantastic Voyage' rocketed to number three on the pop charts, pushing 'It Takes a Thief ' into the Top Ten and past the platinum sales mark.Following up his breakthrough success, Coolio teamed up with gospel-trained singer L.V. on a tune based on Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life cut 'Pastime Paradise'.

'Gangsta's Paradise' was a social statement about ghetto life, and the music was dark, haunting, and spellbindingly atmospheric. Tommy Boy discouraged him from putting it on an album, instead placing it on the soundtrack to the film Dangerous Minds, which starred Michelle Pfeiffer as a tough inner-city teacher. Released as a single, 'Gangsta's Paradise' was a staggeringly huge hit; it became Coolio's first number one pop single and also the first ghetto-centric rap song to hit number one in the U.K. Its chart longevity was such that, even with the Mariah Carey/Boyz II Men duet 'One Sweet Day' setting a new record for most weeks at number one that year, "Gangsta's Paradise" still managed to beat it out as the number one single of 1995. It was such a phenomenon that when Weird Al Yankovic recorded the parody 'Amish Paradise' the accompanying album 'Bad Hair Day' became his biggest-selling record ever. Naturally, "Gangsta's Paradise" was featured on Coolio's next album, released toward the end of 1995, and naturally, it was the title track. It later won a Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance.

The triple-platinum Gangsta's Paradise album kept the hits coming: the bright party anthem '1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)' hit the Top Ten in 1996, and the safe-sex anthem 'Too Hot' was fairly popular as well. Meanwhile, Coolio toured the world and began an acting career, making his screen debut with a cameo in the 1996 comedy Phat Beach; he would also land a small role in the following year's Batman and Robin. Coolio's third album, 'My Soul' was released in 1997, My Soul's lead single, the elegiac "C U When U Get There" (which sampled Pachelbel's "Canon in D"), seemed to fit the mood of the times, and despite the backlash the 2Pac/Biggie murders hanging heavily over the hip-hop scene, the album still made the Top 40 and became one of the lowest-profile platinum hits of the year. Coolio
appeared regularly on the revived Hollywood Squares and set up his own label, Crowbar. He continues to take a number of small film roles, but his much-delayed fourth album remained only a rumor (though it was confirmed that he had recorded "The Hustler," a rap update of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" with Rogers himself on vocals, back in 1998). Finally, five years after his last album, 'El Cool Magnifico' appeared on the Dragon Riders label.

Rapper/composer Guru (real name Keith Elam) first rose to prominence as the "lyrical half" of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, one of the first outfits that attempted to fuse jazz with rap. After three albums by Gang Starr hit record store shelves (1989's 'No More Mr. Nice Guy', 1991's 'Step in the Arena', and 1992's 'Daily Operation'), Guru launched his own solo career, issuing J'azzmatazz, Vol. 1' in 1993.

The album featured guest appearances by the likes of Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, and N'Dea Davenport of the Brand New Heavies, and was followed up two years later by a sophomore solo outing, 'Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality', which again featured a variety of special guests (including Ramsey Lewis, Branford Marsalis, and members of Jamiroquai).

Despite his solo career, Guru has remained true to Gang Starr all along, continuing to contribute to such further albums as 1994's 'Hard to Earn' and 1998's 'Moment of Truth'. Five years after his second solo outing appeared, 'Streetsoul' was released in 2000, which again featured a stellar cast of supporting characters: Herbie Hancock, Isaac Hayes, the Roots, Erykah Badu, and Macy Gray.

Wasting little time, Guru returned directly back to the recording studio, releasing a follow-up one year later, Baldhead Slick & da Click.

In addition to the aforementioned artists, Guru has collaborated with some of rap music's best-known producers, including fellow Gang Starr member DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Alchemist, Ayatollah, and DJ Spinna, as well as Ice-T, Naughty by Nature's Treach, Killah Priest, and Ed O.G

Ice-T (born Tracy Morrow) has proven to be one of hip-hop's most articulate and intelligent stars, as well as one of its most frustrating. At his best, the rapper has written some of the best portraits of ghetto life and gangsters, as well as some of the best social commentary hip-hop has produced. Just as often, he can slip into sexism and gratuitous violence, but even then his rhymes are clever and biting.

Ice-T landed his first a major-label record deal with Sire Records in 1987, releasing his debut album, Rhyme Pays. On the record, he is supported by DJ Aladdin and producer Afrika Islam, who helped create the rolling, spare beats and samples that provided a backdrop for the rapper's charismatic rhymes, which were mainly party-oriented; the record wound up going gold. Following the release of the theme song of the same name for Dennis Hopper's 'Colors', Ice-T formed his own record label, Rhyme Syndicate (which was distributed through Sire/Warner) and released Power. Power was a more assured and impressive record, earning him strong reviews and his second gold record. Released in 1989, The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say established him as a true hip-hop superstar by matching excellent abrasive music with fierce, intelligent narratives, and political commentaries, especially about hip-hop censorship.

Rough-but-smooth male vocal quartet Jagged Edge formed in Atlanta, consisting of identical twin brothers Brandon "Case Dinero" Casey and Brian "Brasco" Casey, who had moved from their native Hartford, CT; Kyle Norman (aka "Quick"), whom they'd met through church activities; and Richard Wingo (aka "Wingo Dollar"), a late addition to the group suggested by Xscape's Kandi Burress, who took their demo to superproducer Jermaine Dupri.

Jagged Edge signed to Dupri's So So Def label and in the summer of 1997 released their debut single, 'The Way That You Talk', featuring appearances by Dupri and Da Brat - it reached the Top 40 of the R&B chart and was also a pop chart entry. Early in 1998, Jagged Edge released their first album, 'A Jagged Era', which went gold and spawned the Top 20 R&B, Top 40 pop hit 'Gotta Be'.

Expressing himself musically has been at the top of Jon B.'s agenda since his early years, growing up in Rhode Island before moving out to California. Proficient on keyboards, guitar, bass and drums, much of Jon B.'s early exposure to the classic soul and R&B of the '70s came as a result of his grandparents' ownership of a record store. Legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway were major influences as were the early pioneers of rap and hip-hop so it was no surprise that when Jon B. egan creating his own music, he would draw from such distinct sources.

Continuing and expanding upon the tradition he set with his first two best-selling albums - 1995's "Bonafide" and 1997's "Cool Relax" - multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer and musician Jon B HAS demonstrated his growth and development as a mainstay artist in the contemporary music marketplace with 'Pleasures You Like' on Edmonds Record Group/Epic, representing a new level of hands-on involvement f- with Jon B producing almost all the tracks on the album, writing or co-writing every cut, recording virtually everything at his own VibeZelect Studios in Pasadena. As he notes, "I didn't have a particular concept in mind for my third album. I just wanted to write and produce with some of my favorite artists."

The follow-up to his 'Cool Relax' platinum-plus 1997 set (which included the million-selling hit single 'They Don't Know'), the new album includes participation by the legendary Babyface, superstar rapper NAS, '90s diva Faith Evans, Cuban Link, producers Tim & Bob and hitmaking songwriter Joshua Thompson.  The perfect combination of rap and R&B, the ultra-smooth "Finer Things" features NAS:

Working with Faith Evans on the late night slow jam 'Overjoyed' was another highlight for Jon B, while on a different musical tip, "Lonely Girl" is a standout collaboration between Jon B. and Babyface:Whether it's the jazzy, slinky, tropical-styled groove of 'All I Want Is You' - featuring Cuban Link - or the straight-ahead sexually-charged 'Inside' (reminiscent in flavor of a vintage Prince cut), 'Pleasures You Like' has showed great creative maturity.

In 1995, Jon B.'s auspicious debut album "Bonafide" met with immediate acclaim, spawning a Top 10 pop and R&B hit in "Someone To Love," a gold single that featured Babyface. The memorable ballad was also included in the movie "Bad Boys."

In a short span of time, Kanye West went from hitmaking producer to just plain hitmaker, as his stellar production work earned him a solo record deal and soon his beats were accompanied by his own witty raps on a number of critically and commercially successful releases. His flamboyant personality also made a mark. West showcased a dapper fashion sense that set him apart from most of his rap peers, and his confidence often came across as boastful or even egotistic, albeit amusingly.

This flamboyance, of course, made for good press, something West enjoyed plenty of during his sudden rise to celebrity status. He was a media darling, appearing and performing at practically every major awards show (and winning at them, too), delivering theatrical videos to MTV that were events in themselves, and mouthing off about whatever happened to cross his mind. For instance, he once spoke out against the rampant homophobia evident in much rap music, and he also posed for the cover of Rolling Stone as Jesus Christ. He seemed to court controversy. West's boundless energy during his initial surge of activity not only racked up impressive hits for himself like "Jesus Walks" and "Gold Digger," but also graced such fellow rap stars as Jay-Z and Ludacris with smashes.

West shattered certain stereotypes about rappers along the way - whether it was his appearance or his rhetoric, or even just his music, this young man became a superstar on his own terms, and his singularity no doubt is part of his appeal to a great many people, especially those who don't generally consider themselves rap listeners.More high-profile productions followed, and before long word spread that West was going to release an album of his own, on which he'd rap as well as produce. West experienced a tragic car accident in October 2002 that almost cost him his life. but it inspired him to pen 'Through the Wire' (and its corresponding video), which would later become the lead single for his eventually released debut album. 'The College Dropout' (2004). West continued to churn out big hits for the likes of Talib Kweli ("Get By"), Ludacris ("Stand Up"), Jay-Z ("'03 Bonnie & Clyde"), and Alicia Keys ("You Don't Know My Name"). Then, at the tail end of 2003, just as 'Through the Wire' was breaking big-time , another West song caught fire, a collaboration with Twista and comedian/actor Jamie Foxx called 'Slow Jamz' that gave the rapper/producer two simultaneously ubiquitous singles and a much-anticipated debut album.

In the wake of his breakout success, West earned a whopping ten nominations for the 47th annual Grammy Awards, held in early 2005. The College Dropout won the Best Rap Album award, 'Jesus Walks' won Best Rap Song, and a songwriting credit on 'You Don't Know My Name'had West sharing the Best R&B Song award with Alicia Keys and Harold Lilly. Later in the year, he released his second solo album, Late Registration, which met with enormous success, hit the top of the charts, and won the Grammy for Album of the Year in early 2006. That same year, the live album Late Orchestration: Live at Abbey Road Studios found West performing his hits with a 17-piece string orchestra.

IKRS-One (born Kris Parker) was the leader of Boogie Down Productions, one of the most influential hardcore hip-hop outfits of the '80s. At the height of his career, roughly 1987-1990, KRS-One was known for his furiously political and socially conscious raps, which is the source of his nickname, "the Teacher."

Around the time of 1990's Edutainment, BDP's audience began to slip as many fans thought his raps were becoming preachy. As a reaction, KRS-One began to re-establish his street credibility with harder, sparer beats and raps. 1992's Sex and Violence was the first sign that he was taking a harder approach, one that wasn't nearly as concerned with teaching. KRS-One's first solo album, 1993's Return of the Boom Bap, was an extension of the more direct approach of Sex and Violence, yet it didn't halt his commercial decline. Still, he forged on with a high-quality self-titled 1995 effort and 1996's Battle for Rap Supremacy, a joint effort with his old rival, MC Shan.

After 1997's I Got Next, he put his solo career on hiatus for several years, finally returning in early 2001 with The Sneak Attack.

The following year brought two full releases: the gospel effort Spiritual Minded and The Mix Tape, the latter including a single ("Ova Here") that stood as a response to Nelly, only the latest hip-hop figure to feud with the Blastmaster. In 2003 KRS-One released two albums, Kristyles and D.I.G.I.T.A.L., while the next year brought only one, Keep Right. In 2006 Life came out on the small, California-based Antagonist Records.

The following year KRS-One reunited with Marley Marl to create Hip Hop Lives, an attempt to preserve the golden age of hip-hop.

Hip-hop is notorious for short-lived careers, but LL Cool J is the inevitable exception that proves the rule. Releasing his first hit, "I Can't Live Without My Radio," in 1985 when he was just 17 years old, LL initially was a hard-hitting, street-wise b-boy with spare beats and ballistic rhymes.

He quickly developed an alternate style, a romantic -- and occasionally sappy -- lover's rap epitomized by his mainstream breakthrough single, "I Need Love." LL's first two albums, Radio and Bigger and Deffer, made him a star, but he strived for pop stardom a little too much on 1989's Walking With a Panther.

By 1990, his audience had declined somewhat, since his ballads and party raps were the opposite of the chaotic, edgy political hip-hop of Public Enemy or the gangsta rap of N.W.A., but he shot back to the top of the charts with Mama Said Knock You Out, which established him as one of hip-hop's genuine superstars.

By the mid-'90s, he had starred in his own television sitcom, In the House, appeared in several films, and had racked up two of his biggest singles with "Hey Lover" and "Doin' It." In short, he had proven that rappers could have long-term careers.

LL attracting the interest of Def Jam, a fledgling label run by New York University students Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. Def Jam signed LL and released his debut, 'I Need a Beat', as their first single in 1984. The record sold over 100,000 copies, establishing both the label and the rapper.  LL dropped out of high school and recorded his debut album, 'Radio', a major hit and earning considerable praise for how it shaped raps into recognizable pop-song structures. On the strength of 'I Can't Live Without My Radio' and 'Rock the Bells', the album went platinum in 1986.

The following year, his second album, 'Bigger and Deffer', shot to number three due to the ballad 'I Need Love', which became one of the first pop-rap crossover hits. LL's knack for making hip-hop as accessible as pop was one of his greatest talents, yet it was also a weakness, since it opened him up to accusations of selling out. Taken from the 'Less Than Zero' soundtrack, 1988's 'Goin' Back to Cali' walked the line with ease, but 1989's 'Walking With a Panther' was not greeted warmly by most hip-hop fans, although it was a Top Ten hit and spawned the gold single 'I'm That Type of Guy. LL struck back with 1990's 'Mama Said Knock You Out', the hardest record he ever made. LL supported the album with a legendary, live acoustic performance on MTV Unplugged, and on the strength of the Top Ten R&B singles 'The Boomin' System' and 'Around the Way Girl' (number nine, pop) as well as the hit title track, 'Mama Said Knock You Out' became his biggest-selling album, establishing him as a pop star in addition to a rap superstar. He soon landed roles in the films 'The Hard Way' (1991) and 'Toys' (1992), and he also performed at Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration in 1993. 'Mama Said Knock You Out' kept him so busy that he didn't deliver the follow-up, '14 Shots to the Dome', until the spring of 1993. Boasting a harder, gangsta-rap edge, '14 Shots' initially sold well, debuting in the Top Ten, but stalled at gold status.

LL began starring in the NBC sitcom In the House. He returned to recording in 1995, releasing 'Mr. Smith' toward the end of the year. Unexpectedly, Mr. Smith became a huge hit, going double platinum and launching two of his biggest hits with the Boyz II Men duet 'Hey Lover' and 'Doin' It' At the end of 1996, he released the greatest-hits album, 'All World', while 'Phenomenon' appeared one year later. 'G.O.A.T'. Featuring James T. Smith: 'The Greatest of All Time', released in 2000, reached the top of the album charts, and 2002's '10' featured one of his biggest hits in years, 'Luv U Better' With the help of producer Timbaland he unleashed the tough 'DEFinition' album in 2004 around about the same time his James Todd Smith clothing line was hitting the catwalks.

Finally the UK’s answer to Eminem - Streatham’s very own Marga Man. “I’m a comedian, I’ve been doing comedy for years, but then I started freestyling and putting my jokes into my lyrics,” tells the 27-year-old comedian-turned-rapper. “I started taking this seriously a few years back, but then Eminem came out with the same thing! I knew people would accuse me of copying him, so I didn’t really do anything about my talent.”

Malik Alves is rapidly becoming one of the most respected underground UK artists. The Jamaican MC grew up on a strong foundation of reggae music; Marga Man’s father and his uncles were in a band that performed their reggae music in shows and live dates around the UK, assisting the likes of Bob Marley. After a while, he started realising that he was good at rappingand decided to make a mixtape under the name of ‘Too Sticky’ and titled ‘Marga Man’. “The mixtape did really well, so I decided to do something about it because now I knew how to produce and people were telling me I could rap,” he explains. The success of the mixtape, and the popularity of tracks like ‘Butterz Friend’, led Malik to change his emcee name from ‘Too Sticky’ to ‘Marga Man’.

In early 2004, Choice FM’s native DJ Jenny Francis got hold of Marga Man’s track ‘Butterz Friend’ from his first mix tape. After continuous play on Francis’ ‘Hype’ show as one of her favourites, it soon became clear that it was a highly requested song. “Jenny started playing it and all of a sudden everyone was requesting it,” says Marga Man. “I was really pleased with the response it got, because I wasn’t even planning on releasing it as a single, so big up Jenny Francis for all of her support!”

However, it wasn’t until early 2005 that Marga Man decided to put a video out for it as his first promotional single. “I had to put a video out for it because everyone was talking about it!” he explains. The video for ‘Butterz Friend’ proved to be a huge success on Channel U and landed at the No.1 spot on the Channel U chart show. “Choice FM and Channel U support UK acts a lot. They’re definitely giving UK artists a chance to do their thing.”

The next step for Marga Man was to tour the USA with Dizzie Rascal for over five months, bumping into the likes of Jay-Z. Marga is featured on Dizzie’s single ‘Girls’ from the hit album ‘Showtime’, and is also on Taz’ single ‘Just Walk’. The track from Taz’ debut album, ‘Analyse This’, became a very popular underground single, and was receiving air play on pirate radio stations such as Extreme FM. This gave Marga Man the recognition that was long overdue. He also began to get a taste of the fans and all of the good things that would come along with his accomplishments. “It’s crazy when people start to recognise you and ask you for an autograph, especially school kids, but it’s still a good feeling, because you know that they’re your fans,” he tells.

The single ‘Fish and Chips’ is Marga Man’s latest hit. Although it is another promotional single, the video is available to request on Channel U. The remix features samples from Kriss Kross’ ‘Jump’ and focuses around the topic of why women are not as “homely” nowadays.

Despite all of Marga Man’s success in his music career, his comedy and combined acting skills have also come into effect. He has made his debut role in acting starring in a movie called ‘Breaking The Cycle’, where he plays the role of a barber, alongside Lethal Bizzle, Bradley Macingtosh, and J Roc from the group Big Brovas. The movie is due to be released some time next year. Meanwhile, Marga Man is also currently working on his sitcom ‘The Bredrinz’. to be aired on Channel U or MTV Base soon, and has many music collaboration project in the pipeline.

The most visible Winans family member outside the world of gospel, Mario Winans gravitated toward percussion at an early age and eventually learned piano.

Immediately after graduating from high school, he began a production career. In addition to working on several family-related recordings, Winans piled up credits for other gospel artists, including Fred Hammond, the Anointed, and the Clark Sisters; with his reputation as a drum programmer, percussionist, producer, and composer already considerable, he made the full transition into secular music to assist in sessions for R. Kelly and Pebbles.

Though he hadn't originally planned to step into the spotlight as a solo artist, he signed to Motown and released Story of My Heart in 1997. The album was not a success, with only 'Don't Know' scraping the Top 50 of the R&B/hip-hop singles chart. Instrumental, programming, and production duties nonetheless continued, including regular work for P. Diddy's Bad Boy roster. This tight association led to a new solo contract. In 2004, Winans released his second album and his first for Bad Boy, Hurt No More. Lead single 'I Don't Wanna Know' blew up almost immediately after it was issued, crossing over to the Top Five of Billboard's Hot 100.

Method Man was the first, and biggest, solo star to emerge from the groundbreaking Wu-Tang Clan.

His mush-mouthed, sandpaper-rough bellow (at times recalling EPMD's Erick Sermon) and imaginative rhymes easily made him one of the most recognizable, unpredictable MCs in the group, yet his flow was more deliberate and laid-back than the Wu's resident loose cannon, Ol' Dirty Bastard. On his solo records, Method Man developed a persona that swung from offhand, understated menace to raucous stoner humor. Toward the end of the '90s, his frequent team-ups with Redman produced not only a terrific musical chemistry, but an eventual big-screen comedy team as well.

Method Man was born Clifford Smith on April 1, 1971, in Hempsted, Long Island; he split his childhood between his father's Long Island residence and his mother's Staten Island home. It was the latter locale where he met his future Wu-Tang cohorts RZA, Genius/GZA, and Ol' Dirty Bastard; when they set about forming a hip-hop collective in the early '90s, Method Man was one of the first to sign on.

Meth was heavily featured on the group's classic late-1993 debut 'Enter the Wu-Tang' (36 Chambers), even getting his own showcase track with 'Method Man', which certainly put him out front in terms of name recognition. Thanks to the Wu's innovative contract -- which allowed individual members to sign solo deals with whatever label they chose -- Method Man inked a contract with Def Jam, and in 1994, approximately one year after 'Enter the Wu-Tang''s release, he became the first Wu member to release a solo album with Tical. Highly anticipated, the album entered the charts at number four and quickly went platinum, while singles like 'Bring the Pain' (which just missed the pop Top 40) and 'Release Yo' Delf' made him an even bigger name in the hip-hop community. He began making numerous guest appearances on other artists' records and in the summer of 1995, his one-off single with Mary J. Blige, 'I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By', soared into the pop Top Five, giving Meth his first major mainstream exposure. Shortly thereafter, another duet -- this time with Def Jam labelmate Redman -- on the compilation track 'How High' climbed into the pop Top 20.

Wu-Tang Clan reconvened in 1997 for the double-album 'Wu-Tang Forever', and about a year later, another round of solo projects commenced. Method Man issued his sophomore effort, 'Tical 2000: Judgement Day' (ironically), in late 1998 and took a more expansive approach this time out, filling the album with between-song skits and a variety of guest rappers and producers. 'Tical 2000' was another hit, entering the charts at number two. Meanwhile, in addition to recording the album, Meth had spent much of 1998 getting his acting career off the ground; after landing a few bit parts, he made his first prominent big-screen appearance in Hype Williams' Belly. In 1999, Meth partnered up with Redman to form a duo act that hit the road with Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life tour; they also entered the studio together to record the collaborative album Blackout!, which entered the charts at number three that fall and received highly complimentary reviews.

The Wu returned in late 2000 with the lower-profile 'The W'. After completing the record, Meth refocused on his acting career; in early 2001, he put in a month's worth of appearances portraying a young gangster on HBO's gritty prison drama Oz, and teamed up with Redman for the Cheech & Chong-styled stoner comedy 'How High', which hit theaters toward the end of the year, around the same time as the fourth Wu-Tang album, Iron Flag. After numberous delays, the MC released his third solo album, 'Tical 0: The Prequel', in 2004. He allegedly finished off 20 tracks with RZA as the producer, but Def Jam opted to release a version that featured only one of those cuts.

Montell Jordan began singing in his hometown of Los Angeles in talent shows, church choirs, and later nightclubs. After graduating from Pepperdine University, he spent seven years looking for a record deal, finally getting an opportunity through Paul Stewart, the president of PMP Records.

Jordan and Stewart flew to New York, where Jordan sang for Russell Simmons and was promptly signed to a contract. For his first album, Jordan heavily sampled B.B. King tracks (the first to do so), and took his lyrical inspiration from the more positive side of life in his native South Central L.A. in an attempt to balance the negative pictures coming out of most SoCal gangsta rap. Jordan was rewarded with a massivenNo 1 smash in the party anthem 'This Is How We Do It' - a mixture of sly beats and street-infected wordplay which changed the R&B landscape. It was the first Def Jam R&B album to hit No1 on the Top Albums Chart, holding the top spot for almost two months.

The runaway smash single 'This Is How We do It' celebrated the South Central street vibe, becoming a precursor for the grittier, hip-hop tinged R&B that would dominate the charts by the end of the '90's.

Montell followed up his debut success with 1996's gold-plus More To Tell, releasing the hit single 'I Like' which was also featured on the sound track for Eddie Murphy's 'The Nutty Professor'. Successful tours with superstar artists such as Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, and TLC also established Montell as a potent live artist. In 1998 he unleashed the eclectic, funk-inspired 'Let's Ride', which included the hit title cut. The multi-textured album reflected Montell's hearty appetite for collaboration, featuring guest shots from Master P and Redman, among others. The album also showcased Montell's gift at balladry with an ode to his daughter Sydney, the tender 'Missing You'. Montell also found time to produce the genre-leaping smash hit, 'Nobody's Supposed To be Here', for Deborah Cox, further establishing him as a pop force to be reckoned with.

Montell also began to stretch his wings globally, with visits to Ireland (where he collaborated with Hothouse Flowers, among others), to Cuba, as part of a music exchange program called Music Bridges as well as a week long stint in Africa. These life changing experiences contributed in large part to the charged offerings on Montell's fourth album, 1999's 'Get It On…Tonite'. The album's timelessness reflected a maturing Montell, but also delivered the heat, as on searing cuts like 'Get Enough' and 'What It Feels Like'."which sold over one million copies; 'More to Tell' followed in 1996.

For multi-talented Def Soul recording artist Montell Jordan, the journey that launched his much-anticipated fifth album - the soul-stirring 'R U With Me' - began in a very unlikely place. "In front of the mirror", says the charismatic singer/songwriter. "This is definitely my most personal, inward looking collection of songs. I've been to Africa, to Cuba, to Ireland - you name it. I've been on hundreds of stages, won my share of awards. But I realized now with all my travels I was really looking for me - the real Montell Jordan." Montell's new album proclaims loud and clear that the emotive, one-man-arsenal has never been tighter. Montell parted ways with long time collaborator Shep Crawford before 'R U With Me', an amiable split that had more to do with timing than any difference of musical opinion.

"I've come a long way," says Montell. "But I know in this game it's always 'what's next?' I'm a music fan too. I'm out every Tuesday buying up the latest albums. I want my music to have an impact. I think with a lot of R&B artists, people tend to think the music is all physical - that an R&B artist might not have a lot to say. But I've paid my dues. I know how to dig deep. Anybody who tries this album and comes away not understanding who I am - they just aren't listening."

At the tender age of twenty-two, Ne-Yo possesses lyrical and musical talent that are far beyond his years. Born into a family of musicians from Arkansas, Shaffer C. Smith a.k.a. Ne-Yo was raised in a single parent home by his mother. In hopes of a better opportunity, Ne-Yo’s mother relocated the family to Las Vegas Nevada; where Ne-Yo would discover his passion.

A master in the art of storytelling, Ne-Yo began writing at an early age. and his start in the music industry came as a songwriter. while still a teenager, he penned material for Youngstown and broke through in 2004 with R&B artist Mario's 'Let Me Love You' one of the most-played songs in US radio history (189.5 million listeners in one week) and No1 inBillboards R&B chart for several weeks  

Written with Scott Storch and Kam Houf and , 'Let Me Love You' is just a glimpse into the mind of a true writer. “It’s a great song, and I’m really happy to have written it,” he says.”

At a time when the music marketplace is flooded with carbon copy rappers rhyming over recycled hip-hop beats, a new generation of talent is poised on the cusp of the come-up. Not since the Jackson 5 has the world witnessed a band of musical brothers whose high energy and artistic ability epitomize the phrase blood is thicker than water.

That is, until this quartet of Miami-bred kinfolk appeared. Pleasure, Slick 'Em, Baby Blue, and Spectacular comprise the hip-hop ensemble known as Pretty Ricky, and they have emerged with a unique flair, coupled with the discipline and tenacity that breeds chart-topping success.

Theunorthodox line-up, consisting of three rappers – Slick 'Em, Baby Blue, and Spectacular, and one singer – Pleasure. Pretty Ricky had been aggressively grinding in the USA's South East since 1997. hey teamed up with producer Jim Jonsin of Unusual Suspects production team fame (responsible for Trick Daddy’s recent smash, 'Let’s Go'), and history was in the making.  Donning themselves in sparkling head-to-toe outfits, they became known as "those glitter boys," notes Slick 'Em. As a result, the brothers even developed their own clothing line, Marco De Bleu.

By 2002, Pretty Ricky began tasting greater success with their song "Flossin’," which began buzzing on Miami radio station Power 96. With its infectious Miami bass beat and hook – "me and you, and you and me/y’all ridin’ on some 22’s and 23’s/we ridin’ on some 24’s down on the beach/no one flosses better/we flossin’ forever" – it was an instant hit with their rapidly growing female fan base. The ladies began to request the song on the radio, helping to rapidly increase the momentum and popularity of the group.

Pretty Ricky continued grinding and hustling – writing songs, building relationships with their fans, and doing lots of shows. opening for some of hip-hop’s heavyweights, including Run-DMC, Lil Jon, Trick Daddy, Trina, and newcomer, fellow Miami comrade Pitbull, whom they cite as someone who has "opened doors, shown us a lot of love, and taught us a lot,"

In late-2004, Power 96 began playing another Pretty Ricky track, 'Grind With Me' with its mellow, head-nodding melody, and their ladies immediately began demanding to hear the song. It instantly became the second most requested song on the station, and the group made history when it went on to become the most requested song in the station’s history.

In December 2004, Atlantic Records Co-Chairman/COO Craig Kallman was in Miami, where he felt the huge buzz surrounding Pretty Ricky, witnessed a hysteria-generating live show, and hosted an impromptu audition in his hotel room. All of the training and years of hard work on the road, culminated at that very moment… Kallman made them an offer on the spot. "Although other offers were on the table, the impression Craig gave our father was like… 'we’re going to take care of them,’" recalls Baby Blue. "And they shook on it right there," notes Spectacular.

Keeping their entrepreneurial spirit alive, Pretty Ricky’s debut album, "Bkuestars' is released by Atlantic in association with the group’s own Blue Star Entertainment International imprint.

Probably best known in the semi-mainstream world as a member of the Roots, Rahzel is an MC that specializes in the "fifth element" of hip-hop culture - beatboxing (which comes after graffiti spraying, DJing, MCing, and breakdancing).

He actively discourages classification of his sound, attempting to remain on the eclectic edge of the commercial music. According to the artist, his influences include Biz Markie, Doug E Fresh, Buffy of the Fat Boys, Bobby McFerrin, and Al Jarreau. His goal is to gain respect for beatboxing as a true art form on its own merits. Growing up, Rahzel looked up to his cousin Rahim of the Furious Five, and went to Grandmaster Flash's shows regularly. He later became a roadie for the Ultramagnetic MCs.

Rahzel has in fact mastered the art of beatboxing, able to recreate full songs, with accompaniment by himself without instrumentation, able to sing a chorus and provide a backing beat simultaneously, able to invoke impressions of singers and rappers on a whim. 'His 1999 album, 'Make the Music 2000' is widely considered one of the most influential hip hop albums of all time; credited with bringing beatboxing back into the spotlight

New Jersey born Redman started as a professional rap artist in the early '90s, and has since rounded off his lime-lit career with numerous appearances in film and on television.

The rap star made his initial impact with 'Whut? Thee' album in 1992. He blended reggae and funk influences with topical commentary and displayed a terse, though fluid rap style that was sometimes satirical, sometimes tough, and sometimes silly.

Redman returned in 1994 with his second album, 'Dare Iz a Darkside', which was a harder album than his debut. 'Muddy Waters', Redman's third album, followed in 1996; he returned two years later with 'Doc's Da Name'.

He has often been found paired with fellow rapper Method Man, both musically and comically, and collaborated with major artists on the fronts of both film and rap for several years. Redman's long-lasting fame as a seldom rap star with an actual lengthy career (he made recordings for over a decade) helped establish his stage and screen personality as well.

As well as making many appearances as himself, for instance hosting the TV series Stung, Redman has also earned roles as an accredited actor. His first film appearance came in 1997 with Rhyme & Reason, and one year later he followed up with a small part in the road trip comedy Ride. In 1999, he played Trevor in the film Colorz of Rage, and also starred with multi-medial collaborator Method Man in P.I.G.S., a comedy in which they both portrayed pan-handling nuns.

Shifting from the comedic realm, Redman had a small role in the Val Lik drama about loyalties entitled 'Boricua's Band' in 2000, and played Limpin' Lenny the made-for-TV action film 'Statistic: The Movie' (2001). He realigned with both his comic side and Method Man in the absurd comedy about "preparing" for a college entrance exam, in 'How High (2001), also featuring Dean Cain. He came on as host for the television series 'Stung' in 2002, and appeared in a rappers' documentary called 'Sweet Dreams' -- also starring Sean Puffy Combs, Method Man, Kid Rock, and others -- that same year.

His lasting rap career landed him song spots on several major film soundtracks including 'Save the Last Dance', 'Rush Hour 2', 'How High', and 'All About the Benjamins'.

It's not often we are truly gob-smacked in this business, but Richard Bellars never fails to leave us with a bottom jaw dropped to the floor and a bewildered/astonished expression on our faces.  Don't expect to get any sleep the night after this immaculate world class close-up performer has played out his spectacular urban style magic on you - you'll be too busy working out how the hell he did what he did.  For the last week we've been trying to figure out how he....aah on second thoughts perhaps it's best if we don't spoil the surprise.

This fast-rising star catches even the harshest cynics off-guard with his easy, laid back style of street and walkabout entertainment.  Don't be fooled by this or his youthful appearance for a moment - for behind the engaging smile lies a razor sharp mind with over 15 years experience in the black art of sleight-of-hand/mind magic. There has rarely been a day since aged 9 when Richard hasn't had a deck of cards in his hand or an audience to play to.

After filming for his debut TV close-up magic series, 'Urban Illusions', Richard has his mind set on performing a David Blaine-inspired World Record endurance stunt 'Hands Of Time'.

Originally planned for Summer 2006 this had to be deferred to 2008 to accomodate two tourof The Gulf's premier venues which will further consolidate his position as one of the World's premier exponents of mind over matter.

With a performance portfolio already under his belt that that many older and greyer practitioners would be envious of including a 3-day sub-zero endurance, also for charity and baffling the aforementioned Mr Blaine with one of his many off-the wall-tricks, Richard still maintains his easy, fun, style and is just as at home mingling with clubbers and partygoers, corporate and celebrity clientele. Let Richard literally add some extra magic to your glitzy launch event, aftershow party or private clebrity function - the memory of witnessing Richard Bellars confound logic inches in front of your very eyes is going to remain with you and your guests for a very very long time indeed.

Dancehall DJ Sean Paul began scoring hit singles in Jamaica starting in 1996, and has since attracted American attention with his appearance on the soundtrack of Hype Williams' 'Belly' (with Mr. Vegas and DMX) and his 1999 hit 'Hot Gal Today'.

Born Sean Paul Henriques on January 8, 1973, the multi-ethnic Paul grew up comfortably in St. Andrew, Jamaica, his mother a renowned painter. He was a skilled athlete, excelling in swimming and especially water polo, playing for the Jamaican national team in the latter. Although his education was enough to land a prosperous career, dancehall music remained Paul's first love, particularly crafting rhythm tracks. He became a DJ after he began writing his own songs, patterning his style largely after Super Cat and finding a mentor in Don Yute; he also found contacts in several members of the reggae-pop band Third World in 1993, which helped open up business connections.

Sean Paul released his debut single, 'Baby Girl' with producer Jeremy Harding in 1996; it proved a significant success, leading to further Jamaican hits like 'Nah Get No Bly (One More Try)', 'Deport Them', 'Excite Me', Infiltrate', and 'Hackle Mi'.

Shola Ama is Britain's most successful solo female R'n'B singer to date. Her debut album has sold over 1 Million copies and spurned the top five singles "You Might Need Somebody" and "You're the one I Love" to name a few. She was also the proud winner of the Brit Award for Best Female Solo Artist (also receiving a nomination for best newcomer), the crowning achievement in an incredible year.

The culmination of this critical and commercial success resulted in Shola collecting two MOBO awards for Best R'n'B act and Best Newcomer. In addition she received two further nominations for Best Single ("You Might Need Somebody") and for Best Album ("Much Love").

Throughout 1997 she toured extensively across the U.K as a special guest of the Fugees, performed at Jamiroquai's Jam in the park and headlined the 1998 Rhythm Nation tour (which also featured D-Influence, Rashaan Patterson and Glamma Kid).

In 1999 she released her sophomore effort, the critically acclaimed album "In Return". She co-wrote the majority of the new material on the album. In the process she worked with a host of international producers and writers including Darkchild, Stargate, Bradley Spalter, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Angie Stone, Babyface, Shaun Labelle and D-Influence Productions.

Shola soon started touring again and did a sell out U.K club tour which took her, and her band all around the country. Shola's single "Still Believe" spent an amazing four months in the French radio chart and last summer she toured France extensively, playing to an average of 28.000 people every night. She also played at fully packed venues in Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.

Shola's second single "Imagine", lifted from her "In Return" album was released last summer and was written by Shola and The Jerkins brothers. It features a garage mix by Club Asylum, which had the clubbers dancing all year. The remix video was shot in club land Ibiza and features MC Onyx Stone.

She also did a spectacular millenium show, in front an audience of 6000, on the beautiful island of Djerba in Tunisia. This New Years extravaganza was also televised throughout Tunisia and France, and received rave reviews from the press as well as the punters.

As well as writing for other acts such as Warren Stacey (Popstar signed to Def Jam), Shola has recently finished collaborations with Robbie Craig (Artful Dodger), with whom she has recorded the beautiful duet "I'm Yours" and "Nin Kadi" with Guinean World Music Artist Mory Kante. She has also recorded the forthcoming single "Amazing Love / Feels So Good" with the B15 Project, which features Lady Dynamite, and is set for a late October release.

Currently in the studio writing tracks for her forthcoming album project, tentatively titled "My Future". It features productions from D-Influence Productions, Curtis Lynch JR, Copenhaniaks, BJ & Mike Soul, SPA and The Ignorants. Shola is also heavily in demand on the PA circuit with both R'n'B and Garage PA's, and are doing shows across England, Europe and Africa.

Shystie aka Chanelle Calica got her nickname, which means sweet but cheeky & Sly, at school and was born and raised in Hackney, East London but now resides in North london.

She started MC'ing at Sixth Form College with the boys she hung around with. inspired by Eminem, Lauren hill and Busta Rhymes and writing most of her lyrics on her Nokia phone, she wanted to sound different and made her flow faster and faster. "It's my trademark. I rhyme fast and people know it's me. It's my speed and my triple-rhymin'." Her distinctive style propelled her onto the mic at garage raves, pirate airwaves and then onto the Dreem Teem's Radio One show. All the while, she was putting in the hours doing a sound engineering course.

Shystie's blew up 2003 big-style with her smash white label response to Dizzee Rascal's 'I Luv U' and a hugely successful tour with Basement Jaxx which led to her being scooped up by major label Universal Polydor.

2004 promised much more with her long-playin', lightning-speed rhymin' debut 'Diamond In The Dirt' showcasing her as a major new UK talent. Shystie spent her year performing in the UK as well America, Germany, Brazil, Chille, Argentina promoting her new album and making it onto 8 newpapers and magazines front covers. She was also the first artist in the UK to have her own Character, named 'Shystie' of course, to be featured in a computer game called 'JUICED' which was released on the Playstation and X-Box platforms and also featured on the games soundtrack, which she also shot a video for

After such a busy year, Shystie went back in the studio in 2005 to work on her second album 'The Movie - All or Nothing'. whilst her and her team members, Dice Recordings and manager Justin Stennett devising a concept for Shystie to forefront her own Interactive TV Series 'Dubplate Drama' where the viewers can decide the outcome of show given two options a or b and the most voted would be aired on TV the following week, requiring Shystie to shoot two outcomes for every episode. The pilot was shot in July for production company 'Road Mullet' and was a success, receiving full backing from Livity, Channel 4, MTV, MTV Base, PSP and 3Mobile and a 6 part series aired from November 2005, showed 17 times a week over a 6 week period and recieved 3.3 Million viewers. When the series finished, MTV and Channel 4 then showed all 6 episodes back to back as a film which showed and will continue to show 20 times over December 2005 to Feb 2006.

Shystie is ready to get back on the TV screens and stage, doing what she does best - Music, while she looks forward to a second mature but raw album 'The Movie - All or Nothing', more live performances, and a second series of 'Dubplate Drama 2' which will air again in 2006.

With their Teddy Riley-produced 1992 debut, It's About Time, the all-female new jack swing trio SWV scored a string of Top Ten R&B hits that established them as one of the most popular urban R&B groups of the '90s.

SWV (their name is an acronym for Sisters With Voices) is comprised of three school friends: Coko (born Cheryl Gamble), Taj (born Tamara Johnson), and Lelee (born Leanne Lyons). All three vocalists sang in church as children, which is where they learned how to harmonize. A demo tape the group assembled caught the attention of producer Teddy Riley, a former member of Guy and arguably the father of new jack swing. Prior to SWV, Riley helped establish the careers of Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. Riley's luck didn't wear out with SWV -- he helped the group craft their debut,' It's About Time', which went double platinum within its first year of release.

The release of It's About Time was preceded by 'Right Here' in the fall of 1992. The single reached number 13 on the R&B charts, but it was the number two hit, 'I'm So Into You' that established the trio as a commercial force early in 1993.

It was followed by two number one R&B singles in a row: 'Weak' and 'Right Here/Human Nature' a remix of their first single that featured samples of Michael Jackson's hit', 'Weak also hit number one on the pop charts; 'Right Here/Human Nature' reached number two on the pop charts. One other Top Ten R&B hit from It's About Time, 'Always on My Mind', followed late in 1993. 'Anything', SWV's contribution to the soundtrack for Above the Rim, became a Top Ten R&B hit in the spring of 1994. Also in the spring of 1994, SWV released 'The Remixes', which went gold by the end of the year. In the summer of 1995, the trio lent vocal harmonies to Blackstreet's Top 40 R&B hit, 'Tonight's the Night'.

The trio returned in 1996 with a sophomore album, New Beginning, and had another #1 R&B hit with the song "You're The One" and follow-up single "Use Your Heart" was a Top 20 R&B hit. The album was followed by next single, "Can We" produced by Timbaland and Missy Elliott, which appeared on the Booty Call soundtrack. Then they released a third album Release Some Tension in 1997, which featured a bevy of guest appearances by rappers including Lil' Kim, Missy Elliott, and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Snoop Dogg -- and the hits "Someone" and "Rain" (another Top 10 R&B Hit). Later that year, they released a Christmas album titled A Special Christmas.

SWV disbanded in 1998 and Gamble moved on to continue with a solo career. Her solo debut, Hot Coko, was released in 1999, as well as it's main single, "Sunshine," dedicated to Coko's firstborn son, Jazz, and in 1999, the groups previous successes were recalled on their Greatest Hits compilation. Another greatest hits compilation, 'Best of SWV' was released in 2001.

SWV are now officially reunited and with more album and release plans in prgress. They performed their first live performance in eight years at Los Angeles urban radio station KKBT 100.3 "The Beat"'s 'Summerjam' concert on August 20, 2005.

Labeled 'Jay-Z from the South' by Pharrell Williams, T.I. unquestionably possesses all the quality needed to receive such an acolade - superb talent and skills he has shown through his growing career in American music industry. A native of Atlanta Georgia born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. on September 25, 1980, this good-looking guy has been rapping since he was still a nine-year-old boy, 10 years later at the age of just 19 and going under the under the moniker of T.I.P. (a version of his childhood nickname Tip (later shortened it to T.I. out of respect for fellow rapper Q-tip who also joined the company) he signing a deal with Arista Records subsidiary LaFace Records

His debut album, 'I'm Serious', was released in October 2001 and was well received, entering the top 30 of the Billboard R&B Hip-Hop chart, brought him to the fore and the young rapper established his own recording company, Grand Hustle, producing an underground only CD entoitled 'In Da Streets, Parts 1 and 2', which surprisingly sold more than 20,000 copies, closely followed by a high rates TV airing of his collaboration with Bone Crusher in the artist's hit single, “Never Scared” - publicity which brought his name to other artists and lables attention.

Eventually choosing se to join Atlantic Records, T.I. went straight to work on a new album and created “Trap Muzik” released on August 19, 2003.  All his perseverance proved worthwhile when it rocketed to No 4 in the Billboard 200 and No 2 on Billboard's Top R&B Hip-Hop chart. Bolstered by catchy yet gritty tunes of “24's”," "Rubber Band Man," and “Let's Get Away”, the record finally earned Platinum status, propelling the charming fellow to national prominence, elevating him to be one of The South's most electrifying young rappers.

Aiming even higher for his next project, T.I. cleverly assembled collaborations with other hip-hop artists, such as B.G., Nelly, Lil' Wayne, plus Mannie Fresh. Entitled 'Urban Legend', this major album directly topped the Billboard Top R&B Hip-Hop and secured a No 7 slot on the Billboard 200 selling over 1.3 million copies in U.S alone, it was certified double Platinum within a short time, becoming the fastest-selling album in history by a Southern artist. In the meantime, the record also generated several hits, notably 'Bring Em Out', 'U Don't Know Me', and 'ASAP, which all charted in the top 20 of Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.

Prestigious accolades followed, most notably that of a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance through single 'U Don't Know Me' in 2006. Also marked the year with his foray into film industry through a Warner Bros production of 'ATL' T.I. continued his path in hip-hop mainstream confidently under the self-proclaimed 'King of the South' nickname, leading to the magnificent album King which has consolidated his claim to the majestic title.