Chi Ali
Encyclopedia
Chi-Ali Griffith professionally known as Chi-Ali, is an American rapper, best known musically for his album The Fabulous Chi-Ali
, which he recorded at the age of 14.
's 3 Feet High and Rising
. He reappeared as Chi-Ali two years later on Black Sheep
's debut album A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
on "Pass the 40," a posse cut
about drinking 40s
, rocking women, and ripping the mic
. Chi Ali at the time was a member of the Native Tongues
and also had connections with the Legion family, along with Showbiz and AG.
Soon after "Pass the 40," Chi released his first solo single "Age Ain't Nothing But a #," which was a moderate hit. It was popular on urban radio stations, and the video got good rotation on Yo! MTV Raps
and Rap City
. The album in which the song was featured was released shortly thereafter, which yielded two other singles, "Roadrunner" and "Funky Lemonade," which were both remixed and rerecorded, making them different than their album versions. They featured Chi with a slightly more mature voice. It received mixed reviews.
Chi Ali seemingly disappeared from the hip hop world until the late 1990s, when he appeared on Dres's solo album Sure Shot Redemption
. The album got little press and mixed, though overall good reviews.
. He was apprehended on March 5, 2001, and was subsequently convicted of the killing. He is currently serving a 14-year sentence at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, where he is prisoner number 04A0267.
The Fabulous Chi-Ali
The Fabulous Chi-Ali is the first and only album by rapper Chi-Ali, a member of the Native Tongues.-Reception:It was released on March 24, 1992, on Relativity Records and was produced by The Beatnuts and Black Sheep's Mista Lawnge...
, which he recorded at the age of 14.
Music career
Chi first made his first appearance as Jeff on various B-Sides of singles from De La SoulDe La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
's 3 Feet High and Rising
3 Feet High and Rising
3 Feet High and Rising is the debut album from American hip hop trio De La Soul, released in 1989.The album marked the first of three full-length collaborations with producer Prince Paul, which would become the critical and commercial peak of both parties. It is consistently placed on 'greatest...
. He reappeared as Chi-Ali two years later on Black Sheep
Black sheep
In the English language, black sheep is an idiom used to describe an odd or disreputable member of a group, especially within a family. The term has typically been given negative implications, implying waywardness...
's debut album A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (album)
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing is the debut studio album from American hip hop group Black Sheep, released October 22, 1991 on Mercury Records....
on "Pass the 40," a posse cut
Posse cut
A posse cut is a popular form of song in hip hop music that involves successive verses by four or more rappers.Tracks described as posse cuts by Rolling Stone include A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario", "Tha Shit" by The D.O.C., "Doin' Our Own Dang" by Jungle Brothers, and "Set It Off" by Snoop Dogg...
about drinking 40s
Malt liquor
Malt liquor is a North American term referring to a type of beer with high alcohol content. In legal statutes, the term often includes any alcoholic beverage above or equal to 5% alcohol by volume made with malted barley. In common parlance, however, it is used for high-alcohol beers made with...
, rocking women, and ripping the mic
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
. Chi Ali at the time was a member of the Native Tongues
Native tongues
Native Tongues is a book by the linguist Charles Berlitz.It is a list of words in different languages, etymology and questions with speculations far and wide about words....
and also had connections with the Legion family, along with Showbiz and AG.
Soon after "Pass the 40," Chi released his first solo single "Age Ain't Nothing But a #," which was a moderate hit. It was popular on urban radio stations, and the video got good rotation on Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps was a two-hour American television music video program, which ran from August 1988 to August 1995 through its original Yo! MTV Raps name and later by Yo! . The program was the first hip hop music show on the network, based on the original MTV Europe show, aired one year earlier. The U.S...
and Rap City
Rap City (TV series)
Rap City is a music video television program block aired on the Black Entertainment Television network. The program was an exclusive showcase for hip hop music videos, and features interviews with and freestyles from popular rappers, and often has guest DJs serve as co-hosts.-Conception:The show...
. The album in which the song was featured was released shortly thereafter, which yielded two other singles, "Roadrunner" and "Funky Lemonade," which were both remixed and rerecorded, making them different than their album versions. They featured Chi with a slightly more mature voice. It received mixed reviews.
Chi Ali seemingly disappeared from the hip hop world until the late 1990s, when he appeared on Dres's solo album Sure Shot Redemption
Sure Shot Redemption
Sure Shot Redemption was Dres' first solo album after the breakup of Black Sheep. On the cover he is credited as Dres the Black Sheep. Fans around the Internet stated on several forums that the album missed the input of Black Sheep group member Mista Lawnge, but it was satisfying enough for true fans...
. The album got little press and mixed, though overall good reviews.
Arrest and prison term
On January 14, 2000, Griffith shot and killed Sean Raymond, in The Bronx, New York. At the time, Griffith was dating Raymond's sister. He was charged with second-degree murder, as well as various lesser charges. An extensive manhunt resulted, with Griffith twice being featured on the TV program America's Most WantedAmerica's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted is an American television program produced by 20th Television, and was the longest-running program of any kind in the history of the Fox Television Network until it was announced on May 16, 2011 that the series was canceled after twenty-three years, with the final episode...
. He was apprehended on March 5, 2001, and was subsequently convicted of the killing. He is currently serving a 14-year sentence at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, where he is prisoner number 04A0267.
Discography
| Year | Title | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
U.S. Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
||
| 1992 | The Fabulous Chi-Ali The Fabulous Chi-Ali The Fabulous Chi-Ali is the first and only album by rapper Chi-Ali, a member of the Native Tongues.-Reception:It was released on March 24, 1992, on Relativity Records and was produced by The Beatnuts and Black Sheep's Mista Lawnge...
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