Kool G Rap
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Kool G Rap |
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Nathaniel Wilson (born July 20, 1968), known by stage name Kool G Rap, is an American hardcore rapper from the Corona section of Queens, New York. He began his career with the Juice Crew in the 1980s but achieved little commercial success.
Biography
Wilson began working with DJ Polo in 1986, releasing several underground hit singles including "It's a Demo"/"I'm Fly". Two other singles, "Streets of New York" and "Road to the Riches" (which borrows a sample from Billy Joel's "Stiletto), received heavy rotation on Yo! MTV Raps and cemented his reputation as one of New York's top lyrical auteurs. His talent for telling a compelling, hard-luck story in a single song was considered second to only that of Rakim. While Wilson grew in popularity, he never crossed over like Biz Markie or Big Daddy Kane, both also members of the Juice Crew.
Kool G Rap's upcoming album, titled Half A Klip, will be released on the Koch Entertainment-distributed labels Chinga Chang Records and Latchkey Recordings on October 23rd 2007 worldwide. Half A Klip features production by DJ Premier. The first single by Kool G Rap is titled "What's More Realer Than That" (produced by Marks) followed by "Risin Up" produced by Domingo. The Queens-bred rapper inked a deal with Chinga Chang Records in December 2005. Sources told AllHipHop.com
Legacy
Kool G Rap is considered a legendary golden age and mafioso rapper. He is also considered one of the most influential rappers ever:
I think overall and all around Kool G Rap is the greatest rapper to ever live. I prove to people when I tell them to go back and do their homework. Biggie got his style from G Rap, Big Pun to Nas to Jay-Z, we were all influenced by Kool G Rap. Even Rakim and Big Daddy Kane who were a little before G Rap, they were still influenced by Kool G Rap. I mean these aren't just the best hip-hop artists of our time, these are the best ever. We all have to pay homage to Kool G Rap. G Rap is like Dr. J of Rap, Jordan got all the accolades but he learned a lot from Dr. J.
Lyrical dexterity
Early in his career, Kool G Rap's (short for "Kool Genius of Rap") hallmark was his rapid-fire, multisyllabic delivery. He trademarked the ability to rhyme the same syllables in the same combinations, though with different words, for a whole verse. This style is mostly apparent on the 1990 album Wanted: Dead or Alive, on such songs as "Play It Again, Polo", "Jive Talk", and "Kool is Back". The style was later adopted by Souls of Mischief, Big Daddy Kane, Cassidy, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, Pharoahe Monch, and Juelz Santana to varying degrees, as well as Nas, Necro, Papoose, Black Thought, R.A. The Rugged Man, and Big Pun (of whom the latter two cited G Rap as their biggest influences). Today many rappers use this style, though few follow it as strictly as G Rap does (or Big Pun did).
Example verse:
- Its the Corona Queens apocalypse
- My block is hit with the dark eclipse
- Takin' no hostages, so grab the glocks and clips
- The raps apostle-ist, niggaz to Loch Ness
- Large as Colossus is
- Mumblin' shit, get shot in the esophagus
- A thug saga novelist
- Sex in this rap shit, monogamous
- Rainin' like the tropics while you be topicless
- Blow money monopolist - do it for eons
- Shinin' like it's neon - heart colder than Freon
- Decidin' which MC to pee on
- Baby 'cause that's the shit that we on
- Niggaz go to Warwick like Dion
- Put the G. on
- I analyze guys with Montana eyes
- To vandalize any man alive, soon as the hammer rise
- Cut 'em down like samurais
- Kickin' that real shit that you fantasize
- Niggaz step aside or recognize
- G. the real cat, pack the steel cat, baby feel that
- Leave you layin' flat witcha shit clapped and peeled back
- Battle-actin' rap shit'll put you in back of a Cadillac
- A bad decision, fuck up your whole vision like cataracts
- Kool G Rap, Let The Games Begin
Mafioso rap
Starting with his third album (Live and Let Die), Kool G Rap became more known for Mafioso rap. He had hinted at this inclination on his second album with the song "Streets of New York." His later albums straddle the line between glorification and remorse in relation to the gangster lifestyle. He laments the violent lifestyle he rapped about on songs like "On the Run," yet boasts it on songs such as "Fast Life" (featuring Nas).
In his songs, album covers and titles, he has used various references to mob movies:
- The first line of "Bad to the Bone" states: I'm bad to the bone / with a style like Al Capone
- The album "Live and Let Die" uses many samples from the film The Untouchables.
- The album cover [1] of his 5th album, Roots of Evil, is an obvious reference to the popular poster for the film Scarface[2]
- His 6th album is named The Giancana Story, referencing well-known Mafia boss Sam Giancana
- His current label Chinga Chang Records, is run by 22 year old CEO DMAK.
![[1]](/wiki/Image:Rootsofevil.jpg){kind=link}
![[2]](/wiki/Image:Scarface.jpg){kind=link}
Discography
with DJ Polo
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
 |
Road To The Riches
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| Wanted: Dead or Alive | |
 |
Live and Let Die
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Solo
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
 |
4,5,6
|
 |
Roots of Evil
|
 |
The Giancana Story
|
Click of Respect (with the 5 Family Click)
| |
Half A Klip
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Compilations
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
Killer Kuts
| |
Rated XXX
| |
The Best of Cold Chillin': Kool G Rap & DJ Polo
| |
| Greatest Hits |
Featured Appearances
- 1991: "Don't Curse" (from the Heavy D album Peaceful Journey)
- 1998: "Truly Yours 98" (from the Pete Rock album Soul Survivor)
- 2000: "Fall Back" (from the Big L album The Big Picture)
- 2003: "Animal Rap" (from Jedi Mind Tricks album "Visions of Ghandi")
- 2005: "Ghost & Giancana" (from the Ghostface album Put It on the Line)
- 2007: "Next Up" (from the UGK album Underground Kingz)