Armani Depaul

Last updated
Armani Depaul
Armani Depaul2.jpg
Background information
Also known as
  • Flav
  • Armani de Paul
  • Armani DePaul
Born1988 (age 3536)
Oakland, California
Origin Richmond, California
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • director
Instruments
Years active2007–present
Labels
  • Beach Boi Music
  • Rapbay
  • Urban life Distribution
  • INgrooves
Website ArmaniDepaul.com

Armani Depaul (born Oakland, California, 1988), also known as Flav, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and director. Based in the Bay Area in Northern California, he operates the independent label Beach Boi Music. [1]

Contents

He has released a number of singles, and collaborated with artists such as Stevie Joe, Iamsu!, Kool John, DJ Fresh, and Sage the Gemini. In 2012 he contributed production to the track "Try'na Get On" off the J. Stalin album Memoirs of a Curb Server . Since 2012, he's had a number of music videos on VEVO. [2]

Early life

Armani Depaul was born in Oakland, California in 1988, and spent his childhood growing up in Richmond, California. [1] Depaul developed an early interest in hip hop. His father was an artist and musician, and he'd join his father in the studio starting at age nine. [3]

Music career

Early years

Depaul started producing and writing rap and hip hop in 2002, and in 2006 Big Von on 106 KMEL put Depaul's first record "Cookies 'n Milk" into rotation. [1] He soon after released one of his first music videos for the single. Depaul performed on BET's 106 & Park for "Wild Out Wednesday" in 2008, [1] and opened for Akon in 2009. [4]

Starting in 2010 he began putting out a new mixtape and music video every other month, a trend he continued until 2012. While in the Bay Area he has also written and produced tracks for artists including Philthy Rich, J. Stalin, Dorrough Music, Audio Push, Clyde Carson, and Iamsu!. [1] He operates the independent label Beach Boi Music, on which he releases most of his solo material. [1] Since 2012 he's had a number of singles released with music videos on music channel VEVO. [2]

Memoirs of a Curb Server

Depaul contributed production to the track "Try'na Get On" off the J. Stalin album Memoirs of a Curb Server in July 2012. The album peaked at number 54 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at 16 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, making it J. Stalin's most successful album to date. [5] The album features guest appearances from E-40, Mistah F.A.B., Too Short, Yukmouth, The Jacka and Richie Rich, among others. Music videos have been filmed for the song "Try'na Get On" featuring Armani de Paul and Philthy Rich. [6]

Recent singles

His single "Ride On It" featuring Iamsu! and Kool John came out in July 2013, with a music video also released online. [1] Released in December 2013 on Beach Boi Music, Rapbay, and Urbanlife Distribution, his digital track "A Million Ways" was a collaboration with AM Dre. The track featured Sage the Gemini as producer, with Gemini and Smoovie and Salty also featured. As of 2014 he continues to release singles online, such as "Steph Curry" in January. [7]

He has a project with Dj.Fresh titled The Morning Show, due out in June 2014, and his independent release HashTag Flav is due out in the summer as well. [8]

Discography

Singles

Incomplete list of singles by Armani DePaul
YearSingle titleRelease details
2012"You Lookin' Too Good"
(ft. Philthy Rich)
  • Released: Dec 2012 [9]
  • Label: Beach Boi Music [10]
  • Format: Digital
2013"If"
(ft. J. Stalin, Nio tha Gift, Nolan Rashawn)
  • Released: April 16, 2013
  • Label: Beach Boi
  • Format: Digital
"Out the Mudd"
(ft. Che Dnero & Paris Cimone)
  • Released: May 8, 2013
  • Label: Beach Boi
  • Format: Digital
"Ride On It"
(ft. Iamsu!, John Hart, Kool John, Rayven Justice)
  • Released: July 23, 2013
  • Label: Beach Boi, Rapbay, Urbanlife
  • Format: Digital, [11] music video
"Yike On It"
(ft. Priceless Da Roc, Iamsu!, John Hart,
Rossi, Rayven Justice)
  • Released: Sep 3, 2013
  • Label: Beach Boi, Rapbay, Urbanlife
  • Format: Digital
"A Million Ways"
(by DePaul and AM Dre ft. Sage the Gemini, Smoovie & Salty)
  • Released: Dec 3, 2013
  • Label: Beach Boi, Rapbay, Urbanlife
  • Format: Digital

Production credits

Appearances

Incomplete list of songs featuring Armani Depaul
YearTitlePrimary artist(s)AlbumNotes
2012"Hood Chick" (ft. Depaul) Stevie Joe, Dj.Fresh Stevie Joe - The Tonite Show
"Never Knew Her" (ft. Depaul) Philthy Rich, Pooh Hefner#NOBFE
"Fire Up" (ft. Depaul) Stevie Joe Red Eye Flight
tracks 5, 7, 16 (ft. Depaul) Stevie Joe 21.0 Grams
"Up Early In da Mornin" (ft. Depaul) Stevie Joe Mafia
2013"Clap It Up" (ft. Sage the Gemini & DePaul)Jay n FreshSingle only
"Stick up" (ft. Depaul)Nolan RashawnSingle only
"Its Ok" (ft. Depaul) Stevie Joe Single only

Music videos

Music videos featuring Armani Depaul [2]
YrVideo titleRole, notes
2007"Cookies and Milk"primary artist, director
2010"1000 Bitches on My Dick"primary artist
2010"Wiggle" by Depaulprimary artist
2010"Don't Miss Me" with AM Dreprimary artist
2010"Neva Enuff"primary artist
2010"Rock the Boat"primary artist
2010"You Ain't Know" with Youngprimary artist
2010"All Day Long"primary artist
2010"Put it Down"primary artist
2011"Juice"primary artist
2011"Once More Chance"primary artist
2012"Lock It In" ft. J. Stalin, Laroo T.H.H. primary artist
2012"Dollar and A Dream"primary artist
2013"Theory of Sound"primary artist
2013"All About You"primary artist
2013"Can You Handle It" ft. D Spittaprimary artist
2014"Ride On It"primary artist
2014"Bubble Up (Champaign)"primary artist

See also

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Enemy</span> American hip hop group

Public Enemy is an American hip hop group formed by Chuck D and Flavor Flav on Long Island, New York, in 1985. The group rose to prominence for their political messages including subjects such as American racism and the American media. Their debut album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, was released in 1987 to critical acclaim, and their second album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988), was the first hip hop album to top The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll. Their next three albums, Fear of a Black Planet (1990), Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black (1991) and Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age (1994), were also well received. The group has since released twelve more studio albums, including the soundtrack to the 1998 sports-drama film He Got Game and a collaborative album with Paris, Rebirth of a Nation (2006).

Marvin Watson Jr., better known by his stage name Messy Marv, is an American rapper from San Francisco, California. Messy was also known as a collaborator in the rap group Kaalman's Krew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Stalin</span> American rapper (born 1983)

Jovan Smith, better known by his stage name J. Stalin, is an American rapper from the Cypress Village housing projects in West Oakland. In 2007, he signed to Zoo Entertainment Production Company run by artist Mekanix, who described his style as a variant of hyphy known as "Go".

<i>The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 2</i> 2012 studio album by E-40

The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 2 is the sixteenth studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on March 26, 2012, by Heavy on the Grind Entertainment and EMI. His fifteenth and seventeenth albums, The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 1 and The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 3, were also released on the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Function (song)</span> 2012 single by E-40 featuring YG, Iamsu! and Problem

"Function" is the third single from E-40's 16th studio album The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 2. The song features fellow rappers YG, Iamsu! and Problem. The song is produced by Trend of the group League of Star 2012. The song was certified Gold by the RIAA on November 3, 2016.

Rance Love Oliver II is an American rapper, record producer and DJ from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is best known for his 2011 single "Up!", which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. He joined the hip hop group the HBK Gang prior to its release, which was led by the song's producer, Iamsu!. Oliver signed with Interscope Records following its success, although the label only released its follow-up, "Akup", before parting ways with the rapper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philthy Rich</span> American rapper from California

Phillip Anthony Beasley, known professionally as Philthy Rich is an American rapper and convicted felon from Oakland, California.

<i>Memoirs of a Curb Server</i> 2012 studio album by J. Stalin

Memoirs of a Curb Server is the seventh studio album by American rapper J. Stalin, released on July 10, 2012 via Town Thizzness & Fontana. It peaked at #54 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, #16 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, and at the top spot on the Top Heatseekers Pacific chart, making it J. Stalin's most successful album to date. It is also the most successful album for the INgrooves imprint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iamsu!</span> American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer

Sudan Ameer Williams, better known by his stage name Iamsu!, is an American rapper and record producer from Richmond, California. He is the lead member of the hip hop group the HBK Gang, which was formed in 2008 and joined by fellow Bay Area artists including Kehlani and Sage the Gemini. He is best known for his guest appearances on Sage the Gemini's 2013 single "Gas Pedal" and LoveRance's 2011 single "Up!," both of which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. He signed with Alternative Distribution Alliance to release his debut studio album Sincerely Yours (2014), which moderately entered the Billboard 200 and received mixed reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JasonMartin</span> American rapper

Jason L. Martin, formerly known by the stage name Problem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer from Compton, California. He is best known for his guest appearance alongside YG and Iamsu! on E-40's 2012 single, "Function", which entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), along with his guest appearance on Childish Gambino's single, "Sweatpants" the following year. His 2013 single, "Like Whaaat" also entered both the chart and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and led his debut extended play (EP), Understand Me (2013).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sage the Gemini</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1992)

Dominic Wynn Woods, better known by his stage name Sage the Gemini, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Fairfield, California. He is best known for his 2013 singles "Gas Pedal" and "Red Nose," which peaked at numbers 29 and 59 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. Both songs preceded his debut studio album Remember Me (2014), which was released by Republic Records and saw moderate critical and commercial reception. That same year, his guest appearance alongside Lookas on Flo Rida's 2014 single, "Going Down For Real (GDFR)" peaked at number eight on the chart and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He is a member of Bay Area hip hop collective the HBK Gang, and is the only member of the group alongside Kehlani and LoveRance to have signed to a major label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gas Pedal</span> 2013 single by Sage the Gemini featuring Iamsu!

"Gas Pedal" is a song by American rapper Sage the Gemini, featuring guest vocals from fellow Bay Area rapper Iamsu!. It was released by Republic Records on March 21, 2013 as the second single from the former's debut studio album, Remember Me. It was produced by Sage the Gemini, while both performers co-wrote the song.

<i>Kilt II</i> 2013 mixtape by Iamsu!

Kilt II is the fifth solo mixtape by American rapper Iamsu!. The mixtape was released on June 6, 2013, independently for free. Then on July 9, 2013, a deluxe edition of the mixtape was released to digital music retailers. Production on the mixtape was primarily handled by Iamsu! and other members of the group The Invasion, among others such as Trackademicks, and Tha Bizness. The album featured guest appearances members of The Invasion, HBK Gang, among others such as Problem, Juvenile, Ty Dolla Sign, Terrace Martin, Tank, and Mistah FAB. The mixtape was met with generally positive reviews from music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The HBK Gang</span> American hip-hop collective

The HBK Gang is an American hip-hop collective based in San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by Iamsu!, Chief, Skipper, and P-Lo in 2008, members also include singer Kehlani and rapper-producers Sage the Gemini, IsThatCJ, Rossi, Dave Steezy, Jay Ant, and Kool John. After contributing to various mixtapes, including Iamsu's Kilt II, in August 2013, the group released their debut mixtape, Gang Forever. HBK Gang Records is the name of an associated independent record label.

<i>Sincerely Yours</i> (Iamsu! album) 2014 studio album by Iamsu!

Sincerely Yours is the debut studio album by American rapper Iamsu!. The album was released on May 13, 2014, by HBK Gang and Warner Music Group's Alternative Distribution Alliance. Recording for the album took place during 2013 and 2014. The album's production was handled by members of The Invasion, Tha Bizness, Jake One, Trackademicks and Chase N. Cashe, among others. Iamsu! collaborated with various artists on the album including 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Too Short, E-40, Berner, Dizzy Wright, along with HBK Gang members Sage the Gemini, P-Lo, Kool John, Skipper and Dave Steezy. The album was supported by the singles, "Only That Real" featuring 2 Chainz and Sage the Gemini and "I Love My Squad".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only That Real</span> 2014 single by Iamsu!

Only That Real is a song by American rapper Iamsu! from his debut studio album, Sincerely Yours (2014). The song was released as his commercial debut single on February 4, 2014. It features guest verses by American rapper 2 Chainz and fellow HBK Gang member Sage the Gemini with production handled by P-Lo of The Invasion.

<i>Remember Me</i> (Sage the Gemini album) 2014 studio album by Sage the Gemini

Remember Me is the debut studio album by American rapper Sage the Gemini. It was released on March 25, 2014, by HBK Gang Records, EMPIRE Recordings and Republic Records. The album was produced by Gemini himself, The Exclusives, League of Starz, Tha Bizness and members of The Invasion such Jay Ant, Kuya Beats and P-Lo. The album features guest appearances from Iamsu!, Justin Bieber, Kool John, Jay Ant, P-Lo, Eric Bellinger, Berner and August Alsina, among others.

Rayven Justice is an American singer, rapper, songwriter and actor from Oakland, California. He started his career as part of the rap and songwriter duo Justice Brothers with his brother Raymen. Rayven Justice began pursuing a full-time solo career in 2010, and his vocals typically blend R&B with "hip hop beats and plenty of bass." His collaborative album Both Sides of the Tracks was released in 2012, and he has also collaborated with artists such as French Montana, Dubb, Iamsu!, TeeFlii, Problem, Waka Flocka Flame, Pleasure P, and Migos. After releasing a number of singles, Rayven Justice released his I Have a Dream EP and album in 2014. Currently based in Oakland, he tours regularly.

Show Banga is a rapper and songwriter from San Francisco, California. Currently signed to Cam Publishing, he was releasing singles as early as 2011 on HomeTeam Entertainment, and in 2013 he released the deluxe edition of his album Don't Stop Votin'. Show Banga's single "Milli," which was produced by Dave-O of The A-Team, was released in 2014. According to Rehab Online Magazine, "Show Banga arguably has one of the most rare [rap] flows in the Bay Area, with 'I Been That' being a contender for the rapper’s breakout cut. However, the bass-packed track 'Milli' is pretty damn hard." In April 2015, he released Mayor 4 Life on EMPIRE Recordings, with guest artists such as E-40, Kool John, Sage The Gemini, and P-Lo. Show Banga has performed at festivals such as SXSW, and was on to tour with Iamsu! in spring 2015. On August 12, 2016, he released his technical sophomore album, Showtime 2. Now, under new management, he's been churning out singles during the 2020 pandemic such as, "That Filthy", "Exotic", "Smoke", & "Double Seal". He capped off 2021 dropping a new 5 track EP "Almost Time" with features from Nef the Pharaoh, Stunnaman02, & Drillkidmari. As of 2022, Show Banga has been in the studio working on his follow up album "Showtime 3" due to release late 2022. He will also be releasing his own cannabis strain "Mr. Bag a Bitch" this summer in collaboration with Bay Area cannabis brand "Camabis".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iamsu! discography</span>

American rapper Iamsu! has released five studio albums, nine mixtapes and 25 singles.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "About". ArmaniDePaul.wix.com. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  2. 1 2 3 "Armani Depaul". Armani Depaul (VEVO . Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  3. Video: Armani Depaul on Just Aint Heard of Me Yet! Episode 2 (August 2011)
  4. "Armani Depaul opening for Akon". Armani Depaul (YouTube). Feb 20, 2009. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  5. Memoirs of a Curb Server (Allmusic)
  6. Video on YouTube
  7. Raze, Steve (January 22, 2014). "Armani Depaul "Steph Curry"". All Hip Hop. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  8. Che Dnero & Armani Depaul - The Feast Official Video
  9. Dub, Em (December 2, 2012). "Armani Depaul ft. Philthy Rich - You Looking Too Good (exclusive)". Thizzler. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  10. "Armani Depaul: You Lookin' Too Good ft. Philthy Rich". Audiomack. December 3, 2012. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  11. "iTunes - Music - Ride On It (feat. IamSu, John Hart, Kool John & Rayven Justice) - Single by Armani DePaul". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
Media