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Saukrates

 
Artist: Saukrates
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See Saukrates Lyrics
  • Born: 1977
  • Active: '90s, 2000s
  • Genres: Rap
  • Instrument: Producer
  • Representative Albums: "The Underground Tapes

Biography

A Toronto-based rapper with an ear for music (classically trained in the violin and cello) and a head for business, Saukrates was fed on the mid-'80s rap styles of De La Soul, Special Ed, and the Native Tongue rap movement. He freestyled rhymes on the fly, basing his lyrics on personal experiences and dreams, just as other rappers before him. Once he started putting his rhymes to paper in 1989, the young MC began to seriously fine tune his skills. Saukrates hit pay dirt with his first single, "Hate Runs Deep," released in late 1994. It won top prize at an MC contest and, at 18, he followed with "Brick House" on Slammin' Records. In 1997, a mix-tape release hit the streets and Saukrates became well-known in college radio circles for the rap jams "Father Time" and "Play Dis." Just when success was all but guaranteed, Warner Bros., his then-label, essentially shut down its rap music division, leaving Saukrates with recorded material but no mode of distribution. Joining creative and financial forces with his manager, Chase Parsons, he created Capitol Hill Music and in early summer 1999 they released Saukrates: The Underground Tapes in the United States under the Serious Entertainment label. Later that same summer, The Underground Tapes was re-released in Canada on Capitol Hill Music/ILL Vibe with six additional tracks. ~ Roxanne Blanford, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Saukrates
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Saukrates
Birth name Amani Wailoo
Also known as Big Sox
Born December 20, 1977 (1977-12-20) (age 31)
Origin Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres Canadian hip hop, R&B
Occupations Producer, rapper, singer, songwriter
Years active 1994–present
Labels Capitol Hill Music
Associated acts Redman, Gilla House, Big Black Lincoln, Nelly Furtado

Saukrates aka Big Sox (born Amani Wailoo on December 20, 1977 in Toronto, Ontario), is a Canadian hip-hop artist and producer of Guyanese heritage. Along with Kardinal Offishall, he is one of the most well-recognized Canadian hip hop artists. He is part of Capitol Hill Music, and frontman of the five-man hip hop group Big Black Lincoln. He is also a member of Redman's Gilla House group.

Contents

Career

In 1994, his first track was titled "Still Caught Up", which earned a nomination for Best Rap Recording at the 1996 Juno Awards. He was also nominated for another Juno of the same award in 2000 for "Money or Love". In 2001, Saukrates produced the track "Uh-Huh" for Redman's Malpractice album, and appeared on a track called "Enjoy Da Ride". He also did a track called "Fine Line" for the soundtrack to Method Man and Redman's How High movie. In 2002, Saukrates teamed up with fellow Canadian producer Agile from BrassMunk to produce the track "Heaven", for Nas' album God's Son, and it featured Jully Black.

Canadian hip hop artists have had a hard time getting established south of the border, and Saukrates is no exception. In 1996, he was signed to Warner Bros. Records. Unfortunately for Saukrates, Warner dropped him in 1998,[1] which was one year before his debut album The Underground Tapes was released on Capitol Hill. By the year 2000, Saukrates reached another big deal with Def Jam and Gilla House Records (owned by Redman).[2] Eventually, Saukrates was dropped by Def Jam because he was no longer considered a priority, however he remained with Gilla House. He appears on two tracks of Redman's latest album Red Gone Wild, released in March 2007.

He completed a third album, Bad Addiction, in 2004, but has faced difficulty securing widespread release on a major label. In the meantime he has produced material for Big Black Lincoln and R&B singer Andreena Mill.[3]

Work with Nelly Furtado

On November 19, 2006, he performed "Promiscuous" with Nelly Furtado at halftime show of the 94th Grey Cup (the CFL championship game). Two days later, Saukrates beat-boxed during her performance of "Say It Right" at the 2006 American Music Awards in Los Angeles. On February 23, 2007, he appeared on the daytime drama One Life to Live with Furtado, performing "Promiscuous".

Saukrates also toured with Furtado on her Get Loose Tour, singing as a backing vocalist and supporting act.

2009

Saukrates is aiming at a 2009 release for his much delayed second studio album. Singles include "Fades Away", "Ms. Yesterday" and "On The Run" with k-os, which is also featured on k-os' album, Yes!, as the alternatively titled "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman". He collaborated with Method Man & Redman on the single "A-Yo", from their album Blackout! 2.

Personal life

He has a son with one-time stripper, and Mos Def's ex-wife, Alana Wyatt-Smith.[4]

Discography

References

  1. ^ "Sauks Takes Philosophy Elsewhere". Rolling Stone, February 10, 1999.
  2. ^ Saukrates Signs to Def Jam. Eye Weekly.
  3. ^ "Border Block - Canadian Hip Hop vs. America". cbc.ca, March 22, 2005.
  4. ^ "Scenes from a hip-hop marriage". http://www.thestar.com/article/451241. Retrieved 2008-07-05. 

External links


This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 
Learn More
The Underground Tapes (1999 Album by Saukrates)
Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 (2001 Album by Kardinal Offishall)
The World Famous Beat Junkies, Vol. 3 (1999 Album by Beat Junkies)

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Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Saukrates".  Read more

 

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