U-God
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| U-God | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lamont Jody Hawkins |
| Born | November 10, 1970 |
| Origin | Staten Island, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Label(s) | Priority Records Free Agency Recordings |
| Associated acts | Wu-Tang Clan Hillside Scramblers |
Lamont Jody Hawkins (born November 10, 1970), better known as U-God, is an American rapper and member of the hip hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan. He has been with the group since its inception, and released his debut solo album Golden Arms Redemption in 1999.
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[edit] Biography
U-God was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York. Being jailed for narcotics possession prevented him from featuring heavily on the group's debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), his input on the seminal LP consisting of only a short bridge on the group's debut single "Protect Ya Neck" as well as the now-famous opening verse of "Da Mystery of Chessboxin". Nevertheless, after his release he quickly became known to fans for his rugged flow and bass-like voice on Wu tracks such as "Winter Warz", "Knuckleheadz" and "Black Jesus" and featured heavily on the group's second album Wu-Tang Forever on which he was one of only three of the group to get a solo track - "Black Shampoo" - while the others being Inspectah Deck, with "The City", and Ol' Dirty Bastard, with "Dog Shit". Around this time his young son was accidentally shot and injured, an ordeal the rapper documented on the Wu-Tang Clan track A Better Tomorrow.
U-God was the eighth (out of nine) member of the group to record a solo album, releasing Golden Arms Redemption in 1999 on Priorty Records, which displayed a wide variety of sounds from gritty blaxploitation funk to urgent string sections, and featured guest appearances from several Wu-Tang members and affiliates. It had two singles in "Dat's Gangsta" and "Bizarre".[1]
After a high-profile disagreement with Wu leader RZA in 2004 over royalties, which included a heated phone conversation on live radio, U-God formed a clan affiliate group called the Hillside Scramblers that featured his team of Inf Black, Letha Fase, Black Ice and King Just. Their debut album, U-GODZILLA presents the Hillside Scramblers, was released in 2004 on Synergy Music. Shortly before the album was released, U-God released a DVD entitled Rise Of A Fallen Soldier. In the DVD, U-God talked about his problems with RZA, plus spoke his opinions on the current situation of the rap game. The DVD also included a sampler of U-GODZILLA presents the Hillside Scramblers. Later on U-God and RZA made up and they were soon both together on stage as part of the Clan for their European and American tour during summer 2004.
U-God left Priority and released his second solo album, titled Mr. Xcitement on September 13, 2005, on Free Agency Recordings. It featured two singles;"Bump", and "You Don't Want to Dance". He appeared on tour with all of the remaining Wu-Tang Clan members for the release of their latest album, 8 Diagrams. U-God said his next solo album is going to be titled "Spitta", and is due out sometime in 2008.[citation needed]
He also appeared in Scary Movie 3, as himself.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo Albums
| Album Name | Release Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Arms Redemption | October 5, 1999 | Gold U.S. |
| Mr. Xcitement | September 13, 2005 | 5,000 Units |
| Spitta | TBA |
[edit] The Hillside Scramblers
| Album Name | Release Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| U-GODZILLA presents the Hillside Scramblers | March 16, 2004 |
[edit] Singles and EPs
- 1999 "Dat's Gangsta"
- 1999 "Bizarre"
- 2002 "Supa Nigga EP"
- 2003 "Vendetta"
- 2005 "Bump"
- 2005 "You Don't Want To Dance"
- 2007 "Takem Home" feat. Necro (Internet Exclusive)
- 2007 "Freeze" (Internet Exclusive)
[edit] Appearances
- 1995 "Knuckleheadz" (from the Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx)
- 1995 "Investigative Reports" (from the GZA album Liquid Swords)
- 1996 "Black Jesus" & "Winter Warz" (from the Ghostface Killah album Ironman)
- 1996 "If It's Allright With You" (from the soundtrack for the movie The Great White Hype
- 1996 "Semi-Automatic Full Rap Metal Jacket" (from High School High (Soundtrack)
- 1997 "Intellectuals" (from the Sunz Of Man album The Last Shall Be First)
- 1998 "Supa Ninjaz" (from the Cappadonna album The Pillage)
- 1998 "Element Of Surprise" (from the La the Darkman album Heist Of The Century)
- 1999 "Grand Prix" & "Longevity" (from the Inspectah Deck album Uncontrolled Substance)
- 1999 "Killa Hill Niggaz" (from the Cypress Hill album Cypress Hill III: Temples of Boom)
- 1999 "Mr. Onsomeothershits" (from the Methods of Mayhem album Methods of Mayhem)
- 1999 "No Exit" (The Loud Rock Remix & The Infamous Hip Rock Version) (from the Blondie single No Exit)
- 2000 "Cherchez La Ghost" (from the Ghostface Killah album Supreme Clientele)
- 2001 "Militant" (from the Killarmy album Fear, Love & War)
- 2003 "Always NY" (from the Mathematics album Love, Hell & Right)
- 2004 "Digi Warfare" (from the Masta Killa album No Said Date)
- 2004 "Rock Steady" (from the Tony Touch album The Piecemaker 2)
- 2005 "Break That" (from the Mathematics album The Problem)
- 2005 "Spot Lite" (from the Mathematics album The Problem)
- 2005 "Still Grimey" (from the Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture compilation)
- 2006 "No More Tearz" (from the Soular Winds' The Quiet Americans Mixtape)
- 2006 "9 Milli Bros." (from the Ghostface Killah album Fishscale)
- 2006 "Handle That" (from the Inspectah Deck album The Resident Patient)
- 2006 "Iron God Chamber" (from the Masta Killa album Made In Brooklyn)
- 2006 "The Glide" (from the Method Man album 4:21...The Day After)
- 2007 "Rec Room Therapy" (from the Ghostface Killah album The Big Doe Rehab)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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