About C.R.I.$.I.$
2006-Brath Award for best Zambian Hip-Hop artist.
15,000+ CD's and Cassettes sold in Lusaka alone, C.R.I.$.I.$.’s album Officer in Charge (released January 2005) was the first hip-hop record to be produced and released in Zambia by a Zambian artist. His second album The Diamond Chain Mixtape reached another milestone by becoming the first Zambian Mixtape to be released commercially in Zambia.
2008-Released the album called, ‘Designer.’ C.R.I.$.I.$. isn’t showing signs of stopping as he continues to venture out of Zambia and into the international Hip-Hop market.
BEGINNINGS:
He grew up listening to all genres of music.
At age 10, began his hip-hop obsession. After hearing “The Message” by Grand Master
Flash and The Furious Five, C.R.I.$.I.$. knew that hip-hop was his passion and it was this track that inspired him to begin rapping.
EARLY INFLUENCES:
Big Daddy Kane, Boogie Down Productions, NWA, LL Cool J and Dr. Dre, C.R.I.$.I.$. believes he can bring a different taste to contemporary.
EDUCATION:
He went up to College where he later dropped out after doing the Foundation course in the Institute for Management of Information Systems (IMIS) at the Zambia Insurance Business College Trust in Lusaka, Zambia.
CAREER:
Joined Mondo Music, a label that was once Zambia’s’ biggest record company. With them, he made his professional debut release on a compilation called “The Rhythm Nation Project (Yo-Yamba).” His song, ‘The City’ was rated as the best written song on the compilation. In 2000, he left Mondo to pursue his music career independently.
That same year, progress was made as he was featured on a compilation called “Harambe Dope Sessions” that was licensed to South Africa’s DIY Records along with other artists such as Hoodlum, Cashless Society, Mizchief and many more.
ON THE RISE:
2001-He auditioned for a modeling job and became the face of Mosi Lager, a brew produced by South African Breweries and marketed throughout Africa. He appeared on billboards, television ads and all of their print and electronic media.
2002-2004, The Voice of America, a radio and television station based in Washington DC, appointed him as the coordinator of their Hip-Hop Connection Fan Club, an organization that runs youth developmental programs.
IN THE KNOW:
In 2004, he dared to enter a rap battle that aired live on South African Broadcasting Corporation Losing to South African rapper Snazz from Cashless Society for a controversial third place spot.
C.R.I.$.I.$. gained the recognition he needed to continue to pursue his hip-hop career. With his rising fame in Zambia, he signed a deal with a local distribution company, Solid Rhythmz and together, they released his hit album “Officer in Charge” making him the first Zambian to release a Hip-Hop album in that country.
With such success and a significant achievement for Zambia’s Hip-Hop industry, he quickly gained recognition across seas. He signed on with an artist management team called Clavel Inc.
March 2005-Featured in Future Music Magazine in a review written by Tim Oliver and two months later, he became the first Zambian invited to perform at the Channel-O Video Music Awards.
Inspired by his aunt who was suffering from cancer, in 2006 C.R.I.$.I.$. helped raise funds for the Breast Cancer Trust (BCT) foundation by holding a benefit gig at Lusaka’s Club Phoenix. The show was a success and according to the BCT (Break through Cancer Trust), he was the first musician to ever take this step in response to their cause.
GOING INTERNATIONAL:
2007 was a big year for C.R.I.$.I.$. that began with him being featured in the UK’s Computer Music Magazine: issue 112 (May 2007), receiving a great song review by industry insider Ronan MacDonald.
That same year, he appeared on a mixtape by Jay-Z’s disc jockey DJ Green Lantern, entitled MySpace Monster Mash. C.R.I.$.I.$. and he later appeared on the 2007 mixtape by British disc jockey, DJ Ames, called US-UK Takeover which also featured other artists such as Craig David, Lil’ Wayne & many more.
He also performed at numerous events including the Oxjam, an event organized by the charity organization Oxfam. It is one of the UK’s biggest charity events aimed at ending poverty in developing countries.
C.R.I.$.I.$. returned to Zambia in 2008 and began working on his second album, DesignerĖ, released in March 2008.
He is also involved in work by the International Labor Organization (I.LO.) along with the International Organization for Migration (I.O.M.) and the United Nations (U.N.). These organizations have teamed up and developed an anti human trafficking song on which C.R.I.$.I.$. is one of the key voices and has been quoted in the United Nations monthly journal. The video is expected to air worldwide mid 2009.
IN THE WORKS:
With his own label now, the artist has began developing careers for up and coming musicians. Musicians under the Diamond Chain stable include, Ray Gramz, D-Roots, Levins and newcomer, Camstar.
2009 looks exciting for the label as it will soon be releasing it’s second Mixtape called Diamond District, after which the new C.R.I.$.I.$. album titled ‘Mr. Swagger’ will follow. Release dates are yet to be announced.
DISCOGRAPHY
1996
Red Light Spells Danger (first professional recording) released on the Zambian market and sold on cassette as a single after the artist was discovered by former Zambian disc jokey DJ Mo-Funky.
1999
The Rhythm Nation Project, Yo Yamba (Was co-producer of this ground breaking project that helped revamp Zambian Music).
2000
Appeared on Zambian artist Jane Osbourne’s song “Muzamuona” as guest rapper/vocalist
2000
Playaz Worldwide (We Taking Over) featured on South African compilation, Harambe Dope Sessions.
2005
Officer In Charge (his debut album) was the first hip-hop album to be released in his home country of Zambia.
2006
C.R.I.$.I.$. Presents The Diamond Chain (the first mixtape to be commercially released in Zambia).
2007
DJ Green Lantern Presents Myspace Monster Mash (Bring it Back Rewind)
2008
Designer-His first international release under the new independent label, Clavel Inc.
ALBUM AVAILABLE ON iTunes. Search for: C.R.I.$.I.$. and buy now.
Also available through www.cdbaby.com on: http://www.diamondchainmusic.blogspot.com
WEB: http://www.crisis-hiphop.com (Official Site under maintenance)
Alternative Website: http://www.diamondchainmusic.blogspot.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/06crisis06
E-mail: diamondchaincs@gmail.com
ARTIST BOOKING CALL: +260976 767410
My Pad: Lusaka
Birthdate: May 27
I graduated from: Other
Identity: Black/African
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
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