Kwamé

Kwamé Holland 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

As a child, Holland was inspired by Stevie Wonder, Lionel Hampton, and Abdullah Ibrahim, who were family friends.^[1]

He was 16 when he released his debut album Kwamé the Boy Genius Featuring A New Beginning in 1989, which was produced by 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 started a hip hop fashion trend as fans began wearing polka-dotted clothing.^[2][3] In 1990, his second album A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure 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."^[2] Holland is a cousin of Vin Diesel, who danced in some of his early music videos.^[4]

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.^[5] His fourth album, 1994's Incognito failed to chart^[2][5] and Kwamé was dropped from his record label. That same year, Kwamé became a punch line in The Notorious B.I.G.'s popular song "Unbelievable":

Your life is played out like Kwamé, and them fuckin' polka-dots^[3][4][6]

The lyric was a major blow to Kwamé's esteem and career as he suddenly became an object of ridicule in the hip-hop community.^[5] But in 2002, Kwamé reemerged as a music producer nick named "K-1 Million". He worked for many artists such as LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige and Dru Hill. In 2004, he had a major success as the co-producer (with Eminem) of Lloyd Banks' smash hit song "On Fire".^[2] In 2005, he had even more success with Will Smith's single "Switch".^[2] He continues to work steadily as a producer with his current artists Beyond Belief and Profit and has since returned to using his real name.

New R&B/Hip Hop singer Jamie Jones started a form of introduction to Kwamé's production by whispering "Shhh, Kwamé did it," which can be heard on Fantasia's song "Not the Way That I Do" from her self-titled sophomore album, Raven-Symone's fourth studio album, Jesse McCartney "Makeup" from his album Departure, and recently, Skillz with "Sick," from his album The Million Dollar Backpack (Skillz album)

Kwamé has scored scenes for the film Step Up, as well as Step Up 2 the Streets, Dancing in September, and Stomp the Yard. The song "Let's Go", featured on Step Up 2, is unavailable on the internet, despite the thorough searching of many fans.

To date, he has produced and contributed to records selling over 30 million copies.

He holds music workshops for children and has worked with various youth organizations, including his wife Tamekia Flowers Holland's non profit Hip Hop 4 life.^[1]

In 2008, Kwamé launched his independent record label Make Noise!!!! featuring Rockaway Queens NY rapper Beyond Belief ^[7] and East London singer Jade Ewen^[8]

Discography

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)

Singles

Production

• Lady May featuring Blu Cantrell, "Round Up"
• Mary J Blige, "L.O.V.E."
• LL Cool J, "10 Million Stars," "Throw Ya L’s Up," "And the Winner Is"
• Dru Hill, "No Doubt"
• Nick Cannon, "Scared of You"
• Lloyd Banks, "On Fire" (co-produced by Eminem)
• JoJo, "Breezy"
• Jin, "So Afraid"
• Tweet, "Turn da Lights Off," "We Don’t Need No Water"
• Joe Budden, "Roll Your Backyard"
• Red Cafe, "All Night Long," "Rap Chic"
• Will Smith, "Switch"
• Teairra Marí, "New Shit," "No Daddy (Remix)"
• The Pussycat Dolls, "Bite the Dust"
• Christina Aguilera, "Understand"
• Chingy "Let's Ride," "Relax"
• Method Man "Fall Out," "OD," "4 Ever"
• Yung Joc featuring 3LW "’Bout It"
• Talib Kweli "Listen!!!"
• Mýa "I Am"
• Fantasia "Not the Way I Do"
• Raven-Symoné "That Girl" and "Green"
• Jesse McCartney "Makeup" and "Think About It"
• Raheem DeVaughn "Friday (Shut the Club Down)"
• Beyond Belief "Dont Touch"
• Jessica Mauboy "Up/Down-Let it Go"
• Skillz "Sick"
• Tony Yayo "Candy Man"

References