Paris (rapper)
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| Paris | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Oscar Jackson, Jr. |
| Also known as | P-Dog |
| Born | October 29, 1967 |
| Origin | San Francisco, California |
| Genre(s) | Hip Hop |
| Years active | 1990 - present |
| Label(s) | Guerrilla Funk Recordings |
| Associated acts | Public Enemy Dead Prez Kam T-K.A.S.H. |
| Website | www.guerrillafunk.com |
Oscar Jackson, Jr. (born October 29, 1967), better known as Paris, is an American Hip Hop artist from San Francisco, California known for his militantly confrontational rapping, and especially the controversial tracks "Bush Killa" and "What Would You Do?".
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[edit] Biography
[edit] 1990s
He was catapulted onto the national scene in 1990 with his hit single "The Devil Made Me Do It" and album of the same name, after earning a degree in economics from UC Davis. Originally released on Tommy Boy Records, his first single was banned by MTV. Since then his stance on political issues and social commentary have both aided and hindered his quest to bring his music and messages to the masses.
When his second album, Sleeping with the Enemy, was ready for release in 1992, Paris was dropped from now-defunct Tommy Boy Records and distributor Time Warner when they discovered its incendiary content - content which includes fantasy revenge killings of then-President Bush and racist police officers. Also problematic was the album's insert, which features the artist waiting behind a tree, holding a rifle, as the president is waving to the crowd. Paris eventually released the LP himself on his newly-formed Scarface Records. Also in 1992, Paris contributed to industrial music band Consolidated's 1992 album Play More Music with the track "Guerrillas in the Mist".
Paris signed a major artist and distribution deal with Priority Records for himself and Scarface Records in 1993 and released his third LP, Guerrilla Funk, and several then up-and-coming groups, most notably the Conscious Daughters. Paris and Priority formally severed their business relationship due to creative differences in 1995, and in 1997, Paris signed a one-off deal with now-defunct Whirling Records (distributed by Rykodisc), for the release of his 4th LP, Unleashed, released in small numbers with little promotion. The album contains some very solid production, and while less overtly political as earlier efforts, the lyrics continue to focus on unity and struggle against racial discrimination. The album was also released in Europe with a different track list, featuring songs from '94, '96 and '98, some of which are more in the style of his earlier releases. Becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the music industry, Paris retired from recording and worked as a stockbroker, cementing his personal wealth allowing him to independently finance the next stage of his musical endeavors.
While his real name is unknown, he has acknowledged that in the 90s he also worked as an investment banker.
[edit] 2000s
In 2003 Paris returned with his most current album, Sonic Jihad. The album continues his tradition of controversial cover art, evoking images of the September 11, 2001 attacks, it depicts a plane flying towards the White House. The content is equally radical and speaks on many topics, including the war on terror, the war in Iraq, police brutality, black-on-black violence, and conditions in inner-city communities. Other politically-minded hip hop artists are featured on the album, including Kam, dead prez, and Public Enemy. Sonic Jihad was the catalyst for the creation or Paris' new label and website, Guerrilla Funk Recordings [1], a home for projects and material of such notable acts as dead prez and Public Enemy.
In 2006, Paris completed a project with Public Enemy, Rebirth of a Nation, the title both a reference to the 1915 film The Birth of a Nation, controversial for its glorification of the Ku Klux Klan and its racist portrayal of African Americans, and PE's 1989 classic It Takes A Nation Of Millions.... Although Chuck D is the primary vocal performer, Paris penned - and produced - the bulk of the album, which also features N.W.A's MC Ren, Immortal Technique, Kam, dead prez, and The Conscious Daughters.
In 2006 Paris also released Paris Presents: Hard Truth Soldiers, Vol. 1, the first in a Paris-produced compilation series that touches on subjects ranging from war and police brutality to black on black crime and domestic violence. It showcases contributions from Public Enemy, The Coup, dead prez, Paris, T-K.A.S.H., Kam, The Conscious Daughters, Mystic, MC Ren, Sun Rise Above, and The S.T.O.P. Movement (Mobb Deep, Tray Deee, Soopafly, KRS-One, Defari, Daz, J-Ro, RBX, Bad Azz, WC, Dilated Peoples, Mac Minister, The Alchemist, Mack 10, Evidence, Defari, Everlast, and B-Real), among others.
Also in 2006, Paris introduced the world to former Coup-member T-K.A.S.H. and his debut offering, Turf War Syndrome, handling production duties as well.
His anti-war anthem "What Would You Do?" on his Sonic Jihad album [2] accuses the US government of perpetrating the September 11th 2001 attacks, saying, "Ain't no terror threat, unless approval rating's slumpin'. So I'ma say it for the record we the ones that planned it, ain't no other country took a part of had they hand in it". It is also featured on the Peace Not War, Vol. 2 compilation album.[3]
Paris not only writes and produces songs, but also publishes information about how to help the black community grow. One example of this is an article about how to manage your personal money. He explains about how you can build a better future for yourself and your children by handling your money more consciously in 5 steps and a final re-investment step.
[edit] Discography
- The Devil Made Me Do It (1990)
- Sleeping with the Enemy (1992)
- Guerrilla Funk (1994)
- Unleashed (1998)
- Sonic Jihad (2003)
- Rebirth of a Nation (2006)
- Paris Presents: Hard Truth Soldiers (2006)
