Jedi Mind Tricks
Encyclopedia
Jedi Mind Tricks is a hip hop
duo with Vinnie Paz
from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
and Jus Allah
from Camden, New Jersey
. The group was founded by two high school friends, rapper Vinnie Paz (Vincenzo Luvineri) and former producer
/DJ
Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind (Kevin Baldwin). In 1999 the New Jersey
rapper Jus Allah (James Bostick) joined the group to record the second studio album by JMT, Violent by Design
but left shortly after for reasons that remain unexplained. The track "The Rebuilding" (2006) marked his unofficial return to JMT since the split, but made a full fledged return aside Vinnie Paz for the sixth studio album, A History of Violence
(2008). In September 2011, Vinnie Paz officially announced the departure of Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind
from the group, because "his heart wasn’t in making JMT records anymore".
DJ Kwestion is also a part of the group, mainly scratching choruses on the turntable. Kwestion (or Kwes) is also a part of the group Skratch Makaniks. Kwestion was a replacement for JMT's previous tour DJ, Drew Dollars, who is no longer affiliated with the group.
JMT has collaborations with both regional MCs and rap veterans, including GZA
, Kool G Rap
, 7L & Esoteric
, Sean Price
, Ras Kass
, Canibus
, Percee P
, Killah Priest
, Immortal Technique
, Virtuoso
, Louis Logic
, R.A. the Rugged Man
, Tragedy Khadafi
, and Ill Bill
. The group has sold over 250,000 albums in the United States
and 450,000 albums worldwide, all of which were released independently.
.
"The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological, And Electro-Magnetic Manipulation Of Human Consciousness" known as "The Psycho-Social" for short was released under Babygrande Records
and is JMT's first full length LP. It featured 12 tracks and 6 bonus tracks. It is considered JMT's most groundbreaking and influential album.
(AotP).
1998 saw the first result of these efforts in The Five Perfect Exertions EP. The release featured Virtuoso
, 7L & Esoteric
, Chief Kamachi and Bahamadia
as well as Vinnie Paz himself. The EP was later remixed for JMT's next LP, Violent by Design
(2000), albeit without Chief Kamachi's verse.
The LP was originally titled "Nyugha Reincarnation of the Hologramic Christ". Vinnie Paz became noticeably more aggressive, abandoning his cosmic, paranoid rhyme style from The Psycho-Social CD for more violent lyrics. The LP also introduced Jus Allah
, a founding member of JMT who had left for college but dropped out a short while after. A self-proclaimed five-percenter, Jus was present on every non-AotP track on Violent by Design as JMT's unofficial third member. Most of the lyrics in Violent By Design
show Jus and Paz describing exaggerated ways of killing people as well as their metaphorical superhuman powers. Typically, they do this by combining themes of hardcore/gangsta rap with mythological or fantasy
imagery.
The list of guest artists on this album was also their longest, including Mr. Lif
, Planetary of OuterSpace
, Louis Logic
, Diamondback
, Philip King Rappah,Coffee Gangsta Child L-Fudge, B.A. Barakus, J-Treds, Killa Sha, C-Baz and Tragedy Khadafi
, plus a couple of odd phone-call interludes by Mr. Len
.
During the course of Violent by Design
's 1999-2000 recording period, Paz changed his alias to Vinnie Paz, inspired by the boxer
of the same name. The reason for this has been reported to be the result of a short-lived rivalry instigated by fellow Philly underground rapper iCON the Mic King. Vinnie Paz decided to settle on his new moniker in order to prevent any further confusion. It was also around this time that he formally declared himself to be a follower of Islam
, alluding to this fact several times on record.
founder Chuck Wilson
to sign a deal. Jus Allah's uncertainty caused him to leave the group on good terms. Stoupe and Vinnie Paz closed their homegrown Superegular label and migrated to Babygrande. Before his White Nightmare EP on Virtuoso's "Omnipotent Records" label, Jus was somewhat isolated from the entire Philadelphia underground scene; the two sides wouldn't talk to each other for over three years. Virtuoso was also estranged from JMT and AOTP for his support of Jus, among other reasons.
Mid-2003 saw the release of JMT's third LP, Visions of Gandhi
. In an interview, Vinnie Paz said the title was inspired by Foxy Brown's verse in Nas
's song "Affirmative Action", and expresses the need for a prominent figure of non-violent social change such as Gandhi in a post-9/11
world.
Stoupe, now supplied with a professional studio in New York, also expanded his variety of production, incorporating grand orchestral samples and a stronger Latin feel. In response, some longtime fans felt let down by Vinnie Paz's lyricism and delivery, as well as the abundance of slick, upbeat loops adopted by Stoupe . Nevertheless, the album helped expand the group's audience as its popularity and commercial success continued to grow.
, this time intentionally keeping guest artists to a minimum. Carrying with them their lessons from Gandhi, Stoupe and Vinnie tried to strike a balance between the past two albums. Vinnie Paz also added a more personal aspect to his lyrics, most notably in the last song "Before the Great Collapse".
In February, 2005, Babygrande officially announced that Jus Allah had signed on to the label after reconciling with his former partners. Babygrande released his long-awaited debut LP, All Fates Have Changed, in May of that year. However, after a dispute with label CEO Chuck Wilson soon after the album's release, Jus left Babygrande and denied any new association with JMT.
In March, 2006, a reunited Army of the Pharaohs released The Torture Papers LP. The crew now consisted of Vinnie Paz, Chief Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric, Apathy, Celph Titled, Planetary & Crypt the Warchild of Outerspace, King Syze, Faez One, Reef the Lost Cauze, and new Jedi Mind Tricks hype-man Des Devious. This time, however, Virtuoso and Bahamadia were not featured and are no longer associated with the Army.
The fifth Jedi Mind Tricks album, titled Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
, was released on September 19, 2006. The release coincided with the beginning of the album's supportive tour, which kicked off in New York City
's Time Square. The album was widely acclaimed, unlike the group's two previous albums, which both received mixed reviews. A large part of the acclaim was due to the album's lyrical and musical diversity, both missing from their previous efforts. The album featured the single "Heavy Metal Kings" with Ill Bill
, the Shara Worden-assisted "Razorblade Salvation", and the storytelling track "Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story
" with R.A. The Rugged Man
. A day after the release of the album, Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks did an interview with The Breakdown, a show on ItsHipHop.tv where he discussed the album and his thoughts on Jus Allah.
In early 2006, rumors spread that the group had reunited with estranged member Jus Allah, and that he would be featured on Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell, but no collaboration appeared. However, on September 20, 2006 a newly-recorded Jedi Mind Tricks/Jus Allah collaboration, produced by Brods, titled "The Rebuilding" appeared online. Jus is also planning to release his second album, The Colossus, in the summer of 2007. In a January 2007 interview Paz stated that Jus will be featured on the group's upcoming sixth album, titled A History of Violence
. Jus Allah, Doap Nixon and Demoz were added to the AotP roster in 2007, and will contribute verses to the group's second studio album Ritual of Battle
, scheduled for release on September 25, 2007. Also, in summer 2008, Jedi Mind Tricks' Label, Babygrande, will be releasing a JMT DVD. "With a 12+ year career under their belt and a continually growing rabid fan base, the history of Jedi Mind Tricks has never been officially documented…until summer 2008, “Divine Fire: The Story of Jedi Mind Tricks DVD,” promises an insightful excursion into the roots of an underground empire." This is from Babygrande's Newsletter.
was released on November 11, 2008. This album would be the last JMT album released on Babygrande Records.
, Dutch (the side group of Stoupe The Enemy Of Mankind), and Army of the Pharaohs
.
Vinnie Paz released his first solo album Season of the Assassin (album)
on June 22, 2010. Jus Allah is in the works of releasing his second solo album entitled MMA (Meanest Man Alive). Stoupe released the album for his group ,Dutch, (which features Liz Fullerton on vocals) entitled A Bright Cold Day (album)
on June 8, 2010. Army of the Pharaohs released their third album as well entitled The Unholy Terror
on March 30, 2010.
It was announced that JMT would be creating a new title called Violence Begets Violence. This album marks the first album without Stoupe behind production. Vinnie Paz stated in a blog on the JMT website that Stoupe has lost the inspiration for Hip-Hop and decided to focus on other things in his career, such as his sidegroups, and that Stoupe would not be producing any of the tracks on the new JMT album. Vinnie Paz stated that there is no conflict between the two and if Stoupe wants to be part of the next album, Paz would welcome him back . JMT has since gotten numerous producers to fill in the slot and released a new single from the album entitled "Target Practice". The new album was released on October 25, 2011.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
duo with Vinnie Paz
Vinnie Paz (rapper)
Vincenzo Luvineri, better known as Vinnie Paz , is a Italian-American rapper and the lyricist behind the Philadelphia underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks...
from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
and Jus Allah
Jus Allah
Jus Allah is a New Jersey rapper who made his official debut on Jedi Mind Tricks second album Violent by Design in 2000. He is known for his aggressive lyrics that are commonly Afro-centric...
from Camden, New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
. The group was founded by two high school friends, rapper Vinnie Paz (Vincenzo Luvineri) and former producer
Hip hop production
Hip hop production is the creation of hip hop music. Though the term encompasses all aspects of hip hop music, it's most commonly used to refer to the instrumental, non-lyrical aspects of hip hop. This means that hip hop producers are the instrumentalists involved in a work...
/DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind (Kevin Baldwin). In 1999 the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
rapper Jus Allah (James Bostick) joined the group to record the second studio album by JMT, Violent by Design
Violent By Design
Violent by Design is the second album by underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Despite never reaching any Billboard album chart, the album sold 50,000 copies in its first week on shelves. . The album was originally released on JMT's self-run Superegular Records on October 3, 2000. JMT's...
but left shortly after for reasons that remain unexplained. The track "The Rebuilding" (2006) marked his unofficial return to JMT since the split, but made a full fledged return aside Vinnie Paz for the sixth studio album, A History of Violence
A History of Violence (album)
A History of Violence is the sixth album by Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released on November 11, 2008 on Babygrande Records...
(2008). In September 2011, Vinnie Paz officially announced the departure of Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind
Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind
Kevin Baldwin, better known by his stage name as Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, is an American hip hop producer, DJ, and member of the underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. His production is often the most acclaimed aspect of the group's work...
from the group, because "his heart wasn’t in making JMT records anymore".
DJ Kwestion is also a part of the group, mainly scratching choruses on the turntable. Kwestion (or Kwes) is also a part of the group Skratch Makaniks. Kwestion was a replacement for JMT's previous tour DJ, Drew Dollars, who is no longer affiliated with the group.
JMT has collaborations with both regional MCs and rap veterans, including GZA
GZA
Gary Grice , better known by his stage names GZA and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist and founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan. He has also appeared on his fellow clan members' solo projects and has maintained a successful solo career...
, Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap
Nathaniel Thomas Wilson , better known by his stage names Kool G Rap , Kool G. Rap, and Giancana , is an American rapper, from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew...
, 7L & Esoteric
7L & Esoteric
7L & Esoteric are a Boston-based hip-hop duo, notorious for battle rhymes and boom-bap production. 7L is the duo's DJ/Producer and Esoteric the emcee.-History:...
, Sean Price
Sean Price
Sean Price is an American rapper and member of the hip hop supergroups Boot Camp Clik and Random Axe. He came to fame as one-half of the duo Heltah Skeltah, performing under the name Ruckus, or in short Ruck, along with partner Rock. He also is featured in the video game NBA 2K11 as a playable...
, Ras Kass
Ras Kass
John Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt...
, Canibus
Canibus
Germaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
, Percee P
Percee P
Percee P is a hip hop artist from the Patterson Projects in The Bronx, New York City, United States. Percee P has been writing and performing since 1979, yet his debut album Perseverance was not released until September 18, 2007, produced entirely by Madlib.He was known in the underground for...
, Killah Priest
Killah Priest
Walter Reed, better known as Killah Priest, Iron Sheik from the Middle East, or Masada, is an American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan affiliate who was raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant & Brownsville neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. He is known for intensely spiritual lyrics loaded with metaphors and religious...
, Immortal Technique
Immortal Technique
Felipe Andres Coronel , better known by the stage name Immortal Technique, is an American rapper of Afro-Peruvian descent as well as an urban activist. He was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics...
, Virtuoso
Virtuoso
A virtuoso is an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability in the fine arts, at singing or playing a musical instrument. The plural form is either virtuosi or the Anglicisation, virtuosos, and the feminine form sometimes used is virtuosa...
, Louis Logic
Louis Logic
Louis Logic is a New York City based underground hip-hop MC. He is a former member of the Demigodz, appearing on a number of tracks on their first album. He has also released albums as a solo artist, and as The Odd Couple with Jay Love. He has recently made his arrangement with longtime producer J.J...
, R.A. the Rugged Man
R.A. The Rugged Man
R. A. Thorburn, better known as R.A. the Rugged Man, is an emcee from Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.-Career:At 18, R.A. signed with Jive Records and then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI. His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording...
, Tragedy Khadafi
Tragedy Khadafi
Percy Chapman IV, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, which has spawned other hip hop artists such as Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga,...
, and Ill Bill
Ill Bill
William Braunstein, better known as Ill Bill, is a American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York. Having gained notoriety in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his hardcore lyrics and as the producer, founder and CEO of Uncle Howie Records...
. The group has sold over 250,000 albums in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 450,000 albums worldwide, all of which were released independently.
Amber Probe EP and Psycho-Social LP
JMT officially debuted with the Amber Probe EPAmber Probe EP
Amber Probe is the debut EP from Philadelphia Hip Hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, released in 1996. The tracks "Neva Antiquated ", "Communion: The Crop Circle Thesis" and "Books of Blood: The Coming of Tan" were all included on their full-length debut, The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological &...
.
"The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological, And Electro-Magnetic Manipulation Of Human Consciousness" known as "The Psycho-Social" for short was released under Babygrande Records
Babygrande Records
Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:...
and is JMT's first full length LP. It featured 12 tracks and 6 bonus tracks. It is considered JMT's most groundbreaking and influential album.
Five Perfect Exertions EP and Violent By Design
Prior to the release of their first LP, Vinnie Paz had conceived the idea of forming a rotating, collaborative super-group of underground East Coast artists called the Army of the PharaohsArmy of the Pharaohs
Army of the Pharaohs is a hip hop supergroup originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed by Jedi Mind Tricks MC, Vinnie Paz in 1998.-Recording history:...
(AotP).
1998 saw the first result of these efforts in The Five Perfect Exertions EP. The release featured Virtuoso
Virtuoso
A virtuoso is an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability in the fine arts, at singing or playing a musical instrument. The plural form is either virtuosi or the Anglicisation, virtuosos, and the feminine form sometimes used is virtuosa...
, 7L & Esoteric
7L & Esoteric
7L & Esoteric are a Boston-based hip-hop duo, notorious for battle rhymes and boom-bap production. 7L is the duo's DJ/Producer and Esoteric the emcee.-History:...
, Chief Kamachi and Bahamadia
Bahamadia
Bahamadia is a Philadelphia-born hip hop artist born in 1970, and a DJ who later became an MC. As a member of Gang Starr Foundation, she released her critically acclaimed debut album entitled Kollage in 1996. The album featured production by Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr...
as well as Vinnie Paz himself. The EP was later remixed for JMT's next LP, Violent by Design
Violent By Design
Violent by Design is the second album by underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Despite never reaching any Billboard album chart, the album sold 50,000 copies in its first week on shelves. . The album was originally released on JMT's self-run Superegular Records on October 3, 2000. JMT's...
(2000), albeit without Chief Kamachi's verse.
The LP was originally titled "Nyugha Reincarnation of the Hologramic Christ". Vinnie Paz became noticeably more aggressive, abandoning his cosmic, paranoid rhyme style from The Psycho-Social CD for more violent lyrics. The LP also introduced Jus Allah
Jus Allah
Jus Allah is a New Jersey rapper who made his official debut on Jedi Mind Tricks second album Violent by Design in 2000. He is known for his aggressive lyrics that are commonly Afro-centric...
, a founding member of JMT who had left for college but dropped out a short while after. A self-proclaimed five-percenter, Jus was present on every non-AotP track on Violent by Design as JMT's unofficial third member. Most of the lyrics in Violent By Design
Violent By Design
Violent by Design is the second album by underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Despite never reaching any Billboard album chart, the album sold 50,000 copies in its first week on shelves. . The album was originally released on JMT's self-run Superegular Records on October 3, 2000. JMT's...
show Jus and Paz describing exaggerated ways of killing people as well as their metaphorical superhuman powers. Typically, they do this by combining themes of hardcore/gangsta rap with mythological or fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
imagery.
The list of guest artists on this album was also their longest, including Mr. Lif
Mr. Lif
Mr. Lif is an American hip hop artist from Boston, Massachusetts. Often noted for his political lyrics, he has released two studio albums on El-P's Definitive Jux label and one on Bloodbot Tactical Enterprises. Mr...
, Planetary of OuterSpace
OuterSpace
OuterSpace is an underground hip hop duo from North Philadelphia. Originally a trio consisting of three Puerto Rican friends that then took the artist names Planetary, Jedeye and Crypt the Warchild...
, Louis Logic
Louis Logic
Louis Logic is a New York City based underground hip-hop MC. He is a former member of the Demigodz, appearing on a number of tracks on their first album. He has also released albums as a solo artist, and as The Odd Couple with Jay Love. He has recently made his arrangement with longtime producer J.J...
, Diamondback
Diamondback
Diamondback may refer to:* Diamondback Bicycles, a division of Raleigh Bicycle Company* Crotalus atrox, the western diamondback rattlesnake* Crotalus adamanteus, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake...
, Philip King Rappah,Coffee Gangsta Child L-Fudge, B.A. Barakus, J-Treds, Killa Sha, C-Baz and Tragedy Khadafi
Tragedy Khadafi
Percy Chapman IV, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, which has spawned other hip hop artists such as Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga,...
, plus a couple of odd phone-call interludes by Mr. Len
Mr. Len
Mr. Len is a hip hop DJ from Bronx, New York. He was a member, with Bigg Jus and El-P, of the underground hip hop trio Company Flow, which disbanded in the late-1990s. Presently he is in a group with Kimani Rogers from The Masterminds named Roosevelt Franklin...
.
During the course of Violent by Design
Violent By Design
Violent by Design is the second album by underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Despite never reaching any Billboard album chart, the album sold 50,000 copies in its first week on shelves. . The album was originally released on JMT's self-run Superegular Records on October 3, 2000. JMT's...
's 1999-2000 recording period, Paz changed his alias to Vinnie Paz, inspired by the boxer
Vinny Paz
Vinny Paz, formerly Vinny Pazienza is an Italian-American former boxer and world champion in the lightweight and light middleweight weight classes...
of the same name. The reason for this has been reported to be the result of a short-lived rivalry instigated by fellow Philly underground rapper iCON the Mic King. Vinnie Paz decided to settle on his new moniker in order to prevent any further confusion. It was also around this time that he formally declared himself to be a follower of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, alluding to this fact several times on record.
Visions of Gandhi
In late 2001, JMT was made an offer by Babygrande RecordsBabygrande Records
Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:...
founder Chuck Wilson
Chuck Wilson (multimedia executive)
Chuck Wilson is a multimedia executive. He is currently the CEO of Triumph Media Holdings, a multimedia company formed to explore media opportunities that target African Americans. Wilson is also the founder of Babygrande Records. He has served as the executive producer on over 100 titles...
to sign a deal. Jus Allah's uncertainty caused him to leave the group on good terms. Stoupe and Vinnie Paz closed their homegrown Superegular label and migrated to Babygrande. Before his White Nightmare EP on Virtuoso's "Omnipotent Records" label, Jus was somewhat isolated from the entire Philadelphia underground scene; the two sides wouldn't talk to each other for over three years. Virtuoso was also estranged from JMT and AOTP for his support of Jus, among other reasons.
Mid-2003 saw the release of JMT's third LP, Visions of Gandhi
Visions of Gandhi
Visions of Gandhi is the 3rd album from underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Jus Allah split from the group after the release of their album Violent by Design , returning the group back to its original lineup of Vinnie Paz and Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind...
. In an interview, Vinnie Paz said the title was inspired by Foxy Brown's verse in Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
's song "Affirmative Action", and expresses the need for a prominent figure of non-violent social change such as Gandhi in a post-9/11
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
world.
Stoupe, now supplied with a professional studio in New York, also expanded his variety of production, incorporating grand orchestral samples and a stronger Latin feel. In response, some longtime fans felt let down by Vinnie Paz's lyricism and delivery, as well as the abundance of slick, upbeat loops adopted by Stoupe . Nevertheless, the album helped expand the group's audience as its popularity and commercial success continued to grow.
Legacy of Blood and Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
A little over a year later, JMT continued their creative streak with Legacy of BloodLegacy of Blood
Legacy of Blood is the fourth album from hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released in August 2004 on Babygrande Records. Album guests include Killah Priest, GZA, Des Devious, and Sean Price.-Track listing:# "Intro"# "The Age of Sacred Terror"...
, this time intentionally keeping guest artists to a minimum. Carrying with them their lessons from Gandhi, Stoupe and Vinnie tried to strike a balance between the past two albums. Vinnie Paz also added a more personal aspect to his lyrics, most notably in the last song "Before the Great Collapse".
In February, 2005, Babygrande officially announced that Jus Allah had signed on to the label after reconciling with his former partners. Babygrande released his long-awaited debut LP, All Fates Have Changed, in May of that year. However, after a dispute with label CEO Chuck Wilson soon after the album's release, Jus left Babygrande and denied any new association with JMT.
In March, 2006, a reunited Army of the Pharaohs released The Torture Papers LP. The crew now consisted of Vinnie Paz, Chief Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric, Apathy, Celph Titled, Planetary & Crypt the Warchild of Outerspace, King Syze, Faez One, Reef the Lost Cauze, and new Jedi Mind Tricks hype-man Des Devious. This time, however, Virtuoso and Bahamadia were not featured and are no longer associated with the Army.
The fifth Jedi Mind Tricks album, titled Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell is the fifth studio album by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. It was released September 19, 2006 through Babygrande Records. The first single, "Heavy Metal Kings", featuring Ill Bill of La Coka Nostra, was released in early August through iTunes and a limited...
, was released on September 19, 2006. The release coincided with the beginning of the album's supportive tour, which kicked off in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Time Square. The album was widely acclaimed, unlike the group's two previous albums, which both received mixed reviews. A large part of the acclaim was due to the album's lyrical and musical diversity, both missing from their previous efforts. The album featured the single "Heavy Metal Kings" with Ill Bill
Ill Bill
William Braunstein, better known as Ill Bill, is a American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York. Having gained notoriety in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his hardcore lyrics and as the producer, founder and CEO of Uncle Howie Records...
, the Shara Worden-assisted "Razorblade Salvation", and the storytelling track "Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story
Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story
"Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story" is a song by hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks. The track is produced by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, and features a guest verse from R.A. the Rugged Man. It is the fourth song on the group's 2006 album Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell...
" with R.A. The Rugged Man
R.A. The Rugged Man
R. A. Thorburn, better known as R.A. the Rugged Man, is an emcee from Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.-Career:At 18, R.A. signed with Jive Records and then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI. His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording...
. A day after the release of the album, Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks did an interview with The Breakdown, a show on ItsHipHop.tv where he discussed the album and his thoughts on Jus Allah.
In early 2006, rumors spread that the group had reunited with estranged member Jus Allah, and that he would be featured on Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell, but no collaboration appeared. However, on September 20, 2006 a newly-recorded Jedi Mind Tricks/Jus Allah collaboration, produced by Brods, titled "The Rebuilding" appeared online. Jus is also planning to release his second album, The Colossus, in the summer of 2007. In a January 2007 interview Paz stated that Jus will be featured on the group's upcoming sixth album, titled A History of Violence
A History of Violence (album)
A History of Violence is the sixth album by Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released on November 11, 2008 on Babygrande Records...
. Jus Allah, Doap Nixon and Demoz were added to the AotP roster in 2007, and will contribute verses to the group's second studio album Ritual of Battle
Ritual of Battle
Ritual of Battle is the second album by underground hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs, released September 21, 2007 on Babygrande Records. The album features group members Vinnie Paz, Jus Allah, Outerspace, Chief Kamachi, Reef the Lost Cauze, Esoteric, Celph Titled, King Syze, Des Devious,...
, scheduled for release on September 25, 2007. Also, in summer 2008, Jedi Mind Tricks' Label, Babygrande, will be releasing a JMT DVD. "With a 12+ year career under their belt and a continually growing rabid fan base, the history of Jedi Mind Tricks has never been officially documented…until summer 2008, “Divine Fire: The Story of Jedi Mind Tricks DVD,” promises an insightful excursion into the roots of an underground empire." This is from Babygrande's Newsletter.
Reunion with Jus Allah and A History of Violence
In an interview conducted in September 2007 on the Art of Rhyme website, Jus Allah announced that he has rejoined Jedi Mind Tricks. In the interview he states that "I'm back in the group [and that] I'm focused on... putting out the next Jedi Mind Tricks album... a History of Violence." A History of Violence (album)A History of Violence (album)
A History of Violence is the sixth album by Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released on November 11, 2008 on Babygrande Records...
was released on November 11, 2008. This album would be the last JMT album released on Babygrande Records.
Enemy Soil, Violence Begets Violence, and the departure of Stoupe
After a long time dispute with Babygrande Records, JMT decided to part ways and form their own record label entitled Enemy Soil. Enemy Soil features artists such as JMT, Reef the Lost CauzeReef the Lost Cauze
Sharif Talib Lacey, better known as Reef The Lost Cauze, is a prominent underground hip hop artist based in Philadelphia. Aside from being a solo artist, Reef is a member of the hip hop group The JuJu Mob as well as the hip-hop collective, Army of the Pharaohs.-Career:Reef started battling other...
, Dutch (the side group of Stoupe The Enemy Of Mankind), and Army of the Pharaohs
Army of the Pharaohs
Army of the Pharaohs is a hip hop supergroup originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed by Jedi Mind Tricks MC, Vinnie Paz in 1998.-Recording history:...
.
Vinnie Paz released his first solo album Season of the Assassin (album)
Season of the Assassin (album)
-Samples:*"Drag You to Hell"**Last Dayz by Onyx*"End of Days"**Beyond Cutting Edge* by David Icke*"Aristotle's Dilemma"**"Mister Kingdom" by Electric Light Orchestra*"No Spiritual Surrender"...
on June 22, 2010. Jus Allah is in the works of releasing his second solo album entitled MMA (Meanest Man Alive). Stoupe released the album for his group ,Dutch, (which features Liz Fullerton on vocals) entitled A Bright Cold Day (album)
A Bright Cold Day (album)
A Bright Cold Day is the debut album by Dutch, a duo of Jedi Mind Tricks producer, Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, and singer Liz Fullerton. The album was musically produced by Stoupe and Scott Stallone, and released on Enemy Soil records on June 8, 2010....
on June 8, 2010. Army of the Pharaohs released their third album as well entitled The Unholy Terror
The Unholy Terror
The Unholy Terror is the third studio album by underground rap super group Army of the Pharaohs. The official street release date was March 30, 2010, but the album was released early on March 19, 2010 on UGHH.com. The album debuted in the Billboard 200 at number 179 selling 3,200 units in its first...
on March 30, 2010.
It was announced that JMT would be creating a new title called Violence Begets Violence. This album marks the first album without Stoupe behind production. Vinnie Paz stated in a blog on the JMT website that Stoupe has lost the inspiration for Hip-Hop and decided to focus on other things in his career, such as his sidegroups, and that Stoupe would not be producing any of the tracks on the new JMT album. Vinnie Paz stated that there is no conflict between the two and if Stoupe wants to be part of the next album, Paz would welcome him back . JMT has since gotten numerous producers to fill in the slot and released a new single from the album entitled "Target Practice". The new album was released on October 25, 2011.
Public opinions on piracy
At the same day as Violence Begets Violence was released, a post at the official Jedi Mind Tricks Facebook page addressed copyright infringements and the early leaked album online. An upset Vinnie Paz condemned downloading the leaked copy calling it an act of stealing.Albums
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| The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness is the debut album of underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. The group consists of Ikon the Verbal Hologram and producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind...
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| Violent by Design Violent By Design Violent by Design is the second album by underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Despite never reaching any Billboard album chart, the album sold 50,000 copies in its first week on shelves. . The album was originally released on JMT's self-run Superegular Records on October 3, 2000. JMT's... Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... ) Heavenly Divine "Heavenly Divine" is a single by Hip Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released in the summer of 1999 through the group's self-run label Superegular Recordings . The track's violin and background vocals are both sampled from "Andante" by Bobby McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma. The song marks the debut of... ", "Genghis Khan Genghis Khan (song) "Genghis Khan" is a single by Hip Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. The original press, distributed through JMT's Superegular Recordings, was released as a promo in early 2000. The group's current label, Babygrande Records, re-released the single in 2003 with wider distribution. The track is named after... ", "Retaliation"/"Blood Runs Cold Retaliation (song) "Retaliation" is a single by Hip Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, the third released from their second album Violent by Design, following "Heavenly Divine" and "Genghis Khan". Released in 2001, the single was the group's last release on self-run Superegular Recordings . The following year, the group... " |
| Visions of Gandhi Visions of Gandhi Visions of Gandhi is the 3rd album from underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Jus Allah split from the group after the release of their album Violent by Design , returning the group back to its original lineup of Vinnie Paz and Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind... Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... Animal Rap "Animal Rap" is the lead single by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks from their third album Visions of Gandhi . The first vinyl pressing was released in 2002 and the CD pressing was released in 2003. The single was the group's first release on Babygrande Records... ", "Kublai Khan", "Rise of the Machines Rise of the Machines (song) "Rise of the Machines" is a single by hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks , released as a limited edition promo single in 2003 . The vinyl is the only JMT single not to feature a B-Side. The album version of Rise of the Machines features a Latin acoustic guitar sample, coupled with clips from Mike Tyson's... " |
| Legacy of Blood Legacy of Blood Legacy of Blood is the fourth album from hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released in August 2004 on Babygrande Records. Album guests include Killah Priest, GZA, Des Devious, and Sean Price.-Track listing:# "Intro"# "The Age of Sacred Terror"... Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... Before the Great Collapse "Before the Great Collapse" is a single by Hip Hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, released in 2004 through Babygrande Records. The single was the lead-off for the group's fourth album, Legacy of Blood. The song's intro contains a sample from "Freeman's Farm" by David Elon Preston, and the song's music... ", "The Age of Sacred Terror"/"Saviorself The Age of Sacred Terror "The Age of Sacred Terror" is a single by Hip Hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, released in 2005 through Babygrande Records. The single was the second released from their fourth album, Legacy of Blood, following 2004's "Before the Great Collapse". The song's title is taken from the book of the same name,... " |
| Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell is the fifth studio album by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. It was released September 19, 2006 through Babygrande Records. The first single, "Heavy Metal Kings", featuring Ill Bill of La Coka Nostra, was released in early August through iTunes and a limited... Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... Heavy Metal Kings Heavy Metal Kings is a group featuring veteran rappers Ill Bill and Vinnie Paz . In 2006, Ill Bill was featured on the single "Heavy Metal Kings" by hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, released through Babygrande Records... " |
| A History of Violence A History of Violence (album) A History of Violence is the sixth album by Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released on November 11, 2008 on Babygrande Records... Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... Monolith A monolith is a geological feature such as a mountain, consisting of a single massive stone or rock, or a single piece of rock placed as, or within, a monument... ","Godflesh Godflesh Godflesh are an English industrial metal band from Birmingham, England. Originally known as Fall of Because, they formed in 1988 by Justin K. Broadrick and G.C. Green and disbanded in 2002. Godflesh's innovative music is widely regarded as a foundational influence on industrial metal and post-metal... " |
| Violence Begets Violence
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EPs/Singles
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| Amber Probe EP Amber Probe EP Amber Probe is the debut EP from Philadelphia Hip Hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, released in 1996. The tracks "Neva Antiquated ", "Communion: The Crop Circle Thesis" and "Books of Blood: The Coming of Tan" were all included on their full-length debut, The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological &...
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| "Heavenly Divine Heavenly Divine "Heavenly Divine" is a single by Hip Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released in the summer of 1999 through the group's self-run label Superegular Recordings . The track's violin and background vocals are both sampled from "Andante" by Bobby McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma. The song marks the debut of... " Louis Logic Louis Logic is a New York City based underground hip-hop MC. He is a former member of the Demigodz, appearing on a number of tracks on their first album. He has also released albums as a solo artist, and as The Odd Couple with Jay Love. He has recently made his arrangement with longtime producer J.J... & L-Fudge), "Heavenly Divine (Remix)" |
| "Raw is War" (Vinnie Paz)
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| "Genghis Khan Genghis Khan (song) "Genghis Khan" is a single by Hip Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. The original press, distributed through JMT's Superegular Recordings, was released as a promo in early 2000. The group's current label, Babygrande Records, re-released the single in 2003 with wider distribution. The track is named after... " (featuring Tragedy Khadafi Tragedy Khadafi Percy Chapman IV, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, which has spawned other hip hop artists such as Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga,... ) |
| "Retaliation Retaliation (song) "Retaliation" is a single by Hip Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, the third released from their second album Violent by Design, following "Heavenly Divine" and "Genghis Khan". Released in 2001, the single was the group's last release on self-run Superegular Recordings . The following year, the group... " Sean Price Sean Price is an American rapper and member of the hip hop supergroups Boot Camp Clik and Random Axe. He came to fame as one-half of the duo Heltah Skeltah, performing under the name Ruckus, or in short Ruck, along with partner Rock. He also is featured in the video game NBA 2K11 as a playable... ) |
| "Animal Rap Animal Rap "Animal Rap" is the lead single by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks from their third album Visions of Gandhi . The first vinyl pressing was released in 2002 and the CD pressing was released in 2003. The single was the group's first release on Babygrande Records... " (Arturo Gatti Arturo Gatti Arturo "Thunder" Gatti was a Canadian professional boxer. Born in Cassino, Italy, and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Gatti relocated to Jersey City, United States as a teenager... Mix) (featuring Kool G Rap Kool G Rap Nathaniel Thomas Wilson , better known by his stage names Kool G Rap , Kool G. Rap, and Giancana , is an American rapper, from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew... ) Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... Animal Rap "Animal Rap" is the lead single by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks from their third album Visions of Gandhi . The first vinyl pressing was released in 2002 and the CD pressing was released in 2003. The single was the group's first release on Babygrande Records... " (Micky Ward Micky Ward Micky Ward , nicknamed Irish, is a retired American junior welterweight professional boxer and a former WBU champion from Lowell, Massachusetts... Mix) |
| "Kublai Khan" (featuring Goretex & Tragedy Khadafi Tragedy Khadafi Percy Chapman IV, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, which has spawned other hip hop artists such as Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga,... ) Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... |
| "Rise of the Machines Rise of the Machines (song) "Rise of the Machines" is a single by hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks , released as a limited edition promo single in 2003 . The vinyl is the only JMT single not to feature a B-Side. The album version of Rise of the Machines features a Latin acoustic guitar sample, coupled with clips from Mike Tyson's... " (featuring Ras Kass Ras Kass John Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt... ) Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... |
| "Before the Great Collapse Before the Great Collapse "Before the Great Collapse" is a single by Hip Hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, released in 2004 through Babygrande Records. The single was the lead-off for the group's fourth album, Legacy of Blood. The song's intro contains a sample from "Freeman's Farm" by David Elon Preston, and the song's music... " Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... Julio César Chávez Julio César Chávez is a retired Mexican professional boxer.He is a six-time world champion in three weight divisions, and for several years he was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world... Mix) (featuring GZA GZA Gary Grice , better known by his stage names GZA and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist and founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan. He has also appeared on his fellow clan members' solo projects and has maintained a successful solo career... ), "On the Eve of War" (Meldrick Taylor Meldrick Taylor Meldrick Taylor is a former Olympic gold medalist and world boxing champion in two weight classes.-Amateur career:... Mix) (featuring GZA GZA Gary Grice , better known by his stage names GZA and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist and founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan. He has also appeared on his fellow clan members' solo projects and has maintained a successful solo career... ) |
| "The Age of Sacred Terror The Age of Sacred Terror "The Age of Sacred Terror" is a single by Hip Hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, released in 2005 through Babygrande Records. The single was the second released from their fourth album, Legacy of Blood, following 2004's "Before the Great Collapse". The song's title is taken from the book of the same name,... " Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... Killah Priest Walter Reed, better known as Killah Priest, Iron Sheik from the Middle East, or Masada, is an American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan affiliate who was raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant & Brownsville neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. He is known for intensely spiritual lyrics loaded with metaphors and religious... ) |
| "Heavy Metal Kings Heavy Metal Kings Heavy Metal Kings is a group featuring veteran rappers Ill Bill and Vinnie Paz . In 2006, Ill Bill was featured on the single "Heavy Metal Kings" by hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, released through Babygrande Records... " (featuring Ill Bill Ill Bill William Braunstein, better known as Ill Bill, is a American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York. Having gained notoriety in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his hardcore lyrics and as the producer, founder and CEO of Uncle Howie Records... ) Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... |
Compilations
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The Greatest Feature
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Jus Allah discography
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"White Nightmare" (EP/Single)
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| "All Fates Have Changed" (Full-length album)
Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... |
| "Pool of Blood" (featuring GZA GZA Gary Grice , better known by his stage names GZA and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist and founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan. He has also appeared on his fellow clan members' solo projects and has maintained a successful solo career... ) (Single) Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... |
| "G-O-D" (Single)
Babygrande Records Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:... |
| "MMA (Meanest Man Alive)" (Second full-length album)
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