C-Rayz Walz
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| C-Rayz Walz | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Waleed Shabazz |
| Born | 1975 The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | underground hip hop, |
| Occupations | Rapper, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1997 – present |
| Labels | Definitive Jux, SunCycle Entertainment, Draft Records, Babygrande Records, Kings Link Records, Modular Mood Music, Worker B Records, Detonator Records |
Waleed Shabazz (born 1975), better known by his stage name C-Rayz Walz, is an MC from The Bronx, New York. He is currently a member of the legendary NY hip hop syndicate Stronghold. C-Rayz Walz has been a fixture in the New York hip-hop scene for years. He hosts many hip-hop shows and events, has appeared on over 43 singles that consistently make Billboard charts & College Radio. Walz has had a video in rotation on BET and started his own label, SunCycle Ent. C-Rayz has appeared on many other rappers' records, including Aesop Rock and Immortal Technique, and has done work with such artists as Percee P and Messiah J & The Expert. Immortal Technique is reputed to be the only MC who can hold his ground against Walz in a freestyle battle.[1]
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[edit] Biography
Shabazz was born and raised in The Bronx. At the age of two, his father was murdered, likely as a result of his involvement with drug dealing. According to Shabazz, his father was "a drug dealer but a good man" and was the inspiration for his song Protect My Family. In an interview, he describes how he was deeply affected by his death, saying, "I was always socially dysfunctional, as far as not being able to deal with other kids having fathers."[2] Shabazz described how he drew wisdom from older community members and ultimately gained inspiration for his music and how he views being a father himself. In the same interview, he points to his music as compensation for his social dysfunction resulting from not having a dad growing up.[2]
At the time that Shabazz was growing up, The Bronx was the site of the early hip hip scene.[3]. Shabazz recalls listening to DJ Cool Herc, who is credited with originating the genre, in Echo Park where he lived. In this environment, Shabazz developed a love of music and began freestyling with his friends for fun. Both he and his childhood friend and now professional rapper Prodigy describe MC battles in the lunch room in school.[2][4] He recalls how his ambitions to be an MC were sealed when Busy Bee Starski heard him rhyming: "When I was 5 or 6 years old I freestyled for Busy Bee. He gave me $5, said, 'Boy, you're good. Keep rocking son.' I ran with that because he was one of the greatest of all time. I knew I was a freestyle legend when I was 6."[4]
[edit] Music Career
[edit] MTV Made and other appearances
On June 29, 2005, MTV producers felt the man's charisma and star power, choosing him over more than 100 qualified applicants to star in an episode of the hit reality show "Made," in which he teaches an upper-class Jewish teenager named Nile Greenberg (son of Steven Greenberg) from Minneapolis who wanted to be made into a rapper. This was the premiere episode of the second series and featured Ghostface Killah, Snoop Dogg and The Game. The episode scored a 2.3 on the Nielsen Ratings and is the highest-rated reality TV episode in the network's history. He also appeared on the Classic 2005 compilation album Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture. On October 14[when?] he was featured on the concept album Freestyle vs. Written with Israeli-American hip hop artist Kosha Dillz. C-Rayz Walz freestyled all of his verses for the album, while Kosha Dillz's used written rhymes.[citation needed] The MC is recognized as the only undefeated Six-time E.O.W. (End of the Weak) emcee challenge champion. He was banned from the Blaze Battle for beating competitors in past contests, and has claimed victory over the world's best freestylers, including Guinness Record Holder Supernatural and B.E.T. Freestyle Friday's own Jin.
[edit] Performance History
C-Rayz Walz has performed over 501 live shows since 2001. Blazing Stages in Europe, South America, (Africa & Japan coming soon) shared the stage with the likes of Raekwon, dead prez, Mos Def, Aesop Rock,The Pharcyde, People Under the Stairs, Deep Rooted, Atmosphere, Mr Cheeks, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Doug E Fresh, Pete Rock, Insane Clown Posse, R.A. The Rugged Man, Mickey Avalon, Killah Priest, GhostFace Killah, Inspectah Deck, GZA, SoundTribe Sector Nine, Sage Francis, Digable Planets, X-Clan, GrandMaster Caz, Mellie Mel, Cold Crush, Busy Bee, DJ JS-1 & Rahzel, Kool Keith, Self Scientific, Brother Ali, Spank Rock, The Juggaknots, DJ Muggz, Pigeon John, Reef The Lost Cauze, Large Professor and The New Positive Reggae Vibe Light of Matisyahu. This prolific artist is more than a musician, poet, and stage-wrecker – he has written two books and one screenplay and dips his fingers into the visual arts as well.
[edit] Affiliations
R.C.P. Crew Founder with Brother/Strongman Killa Kal, Phantom Phats, Kassius Kakes, & Dj Lord Ron. One of the Original members of the Infamous Rap Crew STRONGHOLD including members L.I.F.E.Long, Stelf Index www.pdashmedia.com, Poison Pen, Breez Evahflowin, Wiz, Mic Terror, Dj Static, Swave Sevah & Immortal Technique. A.Y.A.K. Crew, LO LIFE Family Members, The People Army, TME Studios, HeavyRoc Studios, www.jeffdekal.com, TODD NISBET, Frank151, Wu-Tang Clan, Major League G.T.P.S.,The Wolves, The Nation of Gods and Earth, STS, RS, OR, Shaolin Temple, The Omniversal U BE Nation of Light, Fifth Fam, Home Wreckords, Terra Firma, Shogun Distro, Dialect., Funkoars, Resident Records, R-Dub, Dj Sum-One, SideBurn Samurais, Kings Link Recordz NYC., www.templeeffectives.com, www.buddhapparel.com, Abraham Inc., E.O.W., FatBeats Records, Deep Rooted Crew, Brooklyn Academy, Hieroglyphics, Likker Cats, Cannibal Ox, LXG, www.Heeztv.com, BROADY CHAMPS, Shalom All-Stars, B.P.B.A.S., CIRCLE CITY ALL STARS, Tiem Neigha, 2 Hungry Brothers, aNYthing N.Y., Methods NYC, ITM Soul Star, Kunta Kente, Rock Smith Tokyo, DJ JS-1, The Bermuda Pentagon.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Detonator Records
- Detonator Records Vol I (2001)
[edit] Sun Cycle Entertainment
- The Prelude (2001)
- Singular Plurals (2002)
- Limelight (The Outroduction) (2003)
- Off the Radar (2003)
- Singular Plurals Vol II (2005)
- Best of the Beast (2006)
- The Dropping (2006) (with Urchin Records)
- Chorus Rhyme (2007) (with Urchin Records)
- FreeRayzWalz (2008)
- NAPTOWN: The Broken Comb (2010)
[edit] Def Jux
- Ravipops (The Substance) (2003)
- We Live: The Black Samurai (2004)
- Year Of The Beast (2005)
[edit] Draft Records
- 1975: Return of the Beast (2006)
[edit] Kings Link Records
- Who the Fuck Are You? (2009)
[edit] Babygrande Records
- Monster Maker (with Sharkey) (2007)
- Almighty: Original S.I.N. (2008)
[edit] Collaborations
- Imperialismo(single) (with AWKWORD and Reks)
- Freestyle vs. Written (with Kosha Dillz)
- Behind the Yellow Lines (with Kassius Kakes)
- Stronghold Mixtape Vols. 1 & 2
- Darkest Night Ever!!! - Black Panther
- Revolutionary Vol. 2 - Immortal Technique
- Rampage 2004 - The Ancients
- Will Tell Compilation
- John Henry Radio Vols. 1-17 - Stronghold
- Ritual of the Molemen - The Molemen
- Detonator Records, Vol 1
- Blast from the Past
- Junk Planet - Dutch Massive
- The Beasts Released Volume 1: South of Heaven - Krohme
- Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture - Think Differently Music
- The Cold Vein - Cannibal Ox
- From Now On - Single Minded Pros
- Audio Technician - DJ JS-1
- Now This I Have to Hear - Messiah J & The Expert
- Verses vs. Beats - Blowout
- Day of the Mega-Beast - Dub-L
- Drugs, Liquor, Sex & Cigarettes - Parallel Thought
- Illustrations in Braille - Gon
- Making Moves Vol. 1 - A Step Ahead Productions
- Detonator Records Vol. 1 - Explosion! (feat. Akrobatik, Breez Evahflowin, Snacky Chan)
- Abomination - Bomshot
- Labor Days - Aesop Rock
- Itz Da RCP - DJ Lord Ron (feat. Rough Camp Productions, Killa Kal, Kassius Kakes, Mad Man Da God, & Klu Shiest
- The Adventures of Finglonger - African-American Zombie Lawyer
- Hip-Hop Music - GUMZ
- GHETTOBLASTER - SOCALLED
- IndieInBurns - Blockhead & iCON the Mic King
- Naked Dinner - Time
[edit] References
Thomas, Christopher. "C-Rayz Walz: Mind of a Lunatic". Archived from the original on 2006-10-04. http://web.archive.org/web/20061004104324/http://www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=1313. Retrieved 2006-12-25.
