Mahogany Jones

Last updated

Mahogany Jones
Mahogany Jones Promo Picture.jpg
Portrait of Mahogany Jones
Background information
Birth nameCharyse Lois Marshall (Bailey)
Born Mt. Vernon, New York, United States
Origin Detroit, Michigan, United States
Genres Hip hop, conscious hip hop, soul, gospel, inspirational music
Occupation(s)Musician, rapper, poet, songwriter, cultural ambassador, arts educator
Years active2001–present
Website mahoganyjones.com

Charyse Lois Marshall (born August 8, 1978), better known by the stage name Mahogany Jones, is an American inspirational female rapper, [1] singer, songwriter, community activist, [2] [3] and arts educator with InsideOut Literary Arts. [4] [5] Born in Mt. Vernon, New York, United States, she later moved to California as a child, then back to New York City before deciding to permanently reside in Detroit, Michigan in 2004. She is most noted for her appearance on BET's 106 & Park Freestyle Fridays as the first four-time undefeated champion in 2001. [6] She is also known around the world as a Hip-hop Ambassador having served as a cultural ambassador [7] with American Music Abroad [8] and other programs under the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in 2012 [9] [10] [11] and 2013. [12] [13]

Contents

Freestyle Friday

The test of her skills as an emcee and her rise to notoriety came when Toni Blackman suggested that Mahogany Jones compete in a rap battle on the cable network BET's program 106 & Park in a new segment known as Freestyle Friday. Prior to Jones, there had been no female rappers that managed to compete without losing. Feeling the pressure, Mahogany made a bargain with God before appearing on the show to use her new emcee skills to glorify him if he allowed her to win. To everyone's amazement, but her own, she won her battle, not once, but four times in a row. However, to uphold her promise to God, Jones stepped away from the competition leaving the show as the only four time undefeated champion and first undefeated female champion. [14]

Music ambassador

January 2012, at the behest of her mentor, Toni Blackman, Mahogany Jones applied for American Music Abroad, a cultural diplomacy program built on the legacy of the Jazz Ambassadors program and facilitated by American Voices on behalf of the U.S. State Department. Jones assembled a four-person ensemble called Mahogany Jones- Live with Lauren "L Boog" Johnson on percussion, Rosalyn Welch as background vocalist, DJ Sean Blu, who is a Pepsi DJ, and herself as the headliner and main vocalist. The group was one of 12 ensembles selected out of nearly 300 applicants [15] [16] to travel abroad and represent the nation. Mahogany Jones-Live performed in Washington, D.C. as part of their tour before flying to Africa to perform in Botswana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Ethiopia. While there, Jones taught workshops [17] with local artists, headlined the Amaka Arts Festival [18] in Zambia, appeared on radio shows, performed for students as Livingstone-Kolobeng College and National University of Rwanda, [19] [20] as well as for dignitaries and Vice President of Zambia and his family.

In 2013, American Voices asked Jones to serve as a performer - instructor with their Y.E.S. Academy in Iraq, Jones taught hip-hop theater and emceeing classes alongside Broadway performer, Michael Parks and break dancer, Cricket. [21] [22] The academy was located in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, however Mahogany also performed at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq during the trip. [23]

Discography

Albums

Compilations

Related Research Articles

Nas American rapper (born 1973)

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, better known by his stage name Nas, is an American rapper and businessman. Rooted in East Coast hip hop, he is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time.

Hip hop music has been popular in Africa since the early 1980s due to widespread African American influence. In 1985 hip hop reached Senegal, a French-speaking country in West Africa. Some of the first Senegalese rappers were M.C. Lida, M.C. Solaar, and Positive Black Soul.

Lil Kim American rapper from New York

Kimberly Denise Jones, better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and reality television personality. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, she lived much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. In her teens, Jones would freestyle rap, influenced by fellow female hip hop artists like MC Lyte and the Lady of Rage. In 1994, she was discovered by fellow rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who invited her to join his group Junior M.A.F.I.A.; their debut album, Conspiracy, generated two top 20 singles in the United States and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Yo-Yo (rapper) American rapper and actress

Yolanda Whitaker, also known as Yo-Yo is an American rapper and actress.

The music of Michigan is composed of many different genres. The city of Detroit has been one of the most musically influential and innovative cities for the past 50 years, whether in Michigan or anywhere else in the United States. Impressively, for 48 straight years (1959–2007) a greater Michigan-area artist has produced a chart-topping recording. Michigan is perhaps best known for three developments: early punk rock, Motown, and techno.

Urban contemporary music, also known as urban music, hip hop, urban pop, or just simply urban, is a music radio format. The term was coined by New York radio DJ Frankie Crocker in the early to mid-1970s as a synonym for Black music. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of Black genres such as R&B, pop-rap, quiet storm, urban adult contemporary, hip hop, Latin music such as Latin pop, Chicano R&B and Chicano rap, and Caribbean music such as reggae and soca. Urban contemporary was developed through the characteristics of genres such as R&B and soul.

Tamia Canadian musician and singer

Tamia Marilyn Washington Hill is a Canadian singer, songwriter, producer, and actress. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Tamia performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. In 1994, after signing a development deal with Warner Bros. Records, she was asked by veteran producer Quincy Jones to appear on his album Q's Jook Joint (1995), earning her Grammy Award nominations for their collaboration on "You Put a Move on My Heart" and "Slow Jams". Her self-titled debut album was released in 1998 and followed by a series of successful albums with Elektra Records, including A Nu Day (2000) and More (2004). Several songs from these albums became hit singles on the pop and R&B record charts, including "So Into You", "Stranger in My House" and "Imagination" as well as her collaborations "Into You", "Missing You" and "Spend My Life with You".

Amerie American singer

Amerie Mi Marie Nicholson is an American singer. Born in Massachusetts, she gained an appreciation of the classical arts from her mother Mi Suk Rogers and of music from her father Charles Rogers, and she also studied dance from an early age and performed in talent contests. After her high school graduation, her family settled down in Virginia while she began to attend Georgetown University, from which she later graduated with a degree in English and Fine Arts. While living in Washington, D.C., she met producer Rich Harrison, who worked with such performers as Mary J. Blige, and began developing demos with her. This led to a deal with Rise Entertainment and, in turn, major-label Columbia Records.

Proof (rapper) American rapper (1973–2006)

DeShaun Dupree Holton, known professionally as Proof, was an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. During his career, he was a member of the groups 5 Elementz, Funky Cowboys, Promatic, Goon Sqwad, and D12. He was a close childhood friend of rapper Eminem, who also lived in Detroit. Proof was often a hype man at Eminem's concerts.

WDET-FM Public radio station in Detroit

WDET-FM is a public radio station in Detroit, Michigan. Broadcasting from Wayne State University in the city's Cass Corridor neighborhood, about a mile south of the New Center neighborhood, WDET broadcasts original programming and shows from National Public Radio, Public Radio International and American Public Media. The station serves Metro Detroit and is the primary provider of news involving the American automotive industry and Michigan politics within the NPR distribution network.

The culture of Detroit, Michigan, has influenced American and global culture through its commercial enterprises and various forms of popular music throughout the 20th and 21st century. Its automotive heritage plays an important role in the city's culture.

Poseur Someone who poses for effect

A poseur is someone who poses for effect, or behaves affectedly, who affects a particular attitude, character or manner to impress others, or who pretends to belong to a particular group. A poseur may be a person who pretends to be what they are not or an insincere person; they may have a flair for drama or behave as if they are onstage in daily life.

Big Sean American rapper from Michigan (born 1988)

Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, known professionally as Big Sean, is an American rapper, songwriter and entrepreneur.

Hip-hop theater

Hip-hop theater is a form of theater that presents contemporary stories through the use of one or more of the four elements of hip-hop culture—b-boying, graffiti writing, MCing (rapping), and DJing. Other cultural markers of hip-hop such as spoken word, beatboxing, and hip-hop dance can be included as well although they are not always present. What is most important is the language of the theatrical piece and the plot's relevance to the world. Danny Hoch, founder of the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, further defines it as such: "Hip-hop theatre must fit into the realm of theatrical performance, and it must be by, about and for the hip-hop generation, participants in hip-hop culture, or both."

Wiz Khalifa discography

American rapper Wiz Khalifa has released six studio albums, one compilation album, one soundtrack album, three extended plays (EP), two collaborative albums, 84 singles, sixteen promotional singles, twenty-one mixtapes, and 82 music videos. After signing to independent record label Rostrum Records at a young age, Khalifa released his first mixtape Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania, and his first studio album, Show and Prove (2006). Following the release of Show and Prove, Warner Bros. Records signed Khalifa in 2007 as part of a joint deal with Rostrum. At Warner, Khalifa released the singles "Youngin' on His Grind" and "Say Yeah". The latter became his first song to appear on a Billboard chart, peaking at number 20 on the US Hot Rap Songs. Disagreements with Warner over the release of a purported major-label debut album led Khalifa to departed from the label, and release his second studio album Deal or No Deal in 2009 on Rostrum Records alone.

J Dilla American record producer and rapper (1974–2006)

James Dewitt Yancey, better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer and rapper. He emerged in the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan, as a member of the group Slum Village. He was also a member of the Soulquarians, a musical collective active during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Kendrick Lamar discography Hip hop recording artist discography

American rapper Kendrick Lamar has released five studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play (EP), five mixtapes, 65 singles, three promotional singles, and 55 music videos. Lamar initially performed under the stage name K.Dot, releasing three mixtapes under that moniker: Y.H.N.I.C. (2004), Training Day (2005), and C4 (2009). He gained major attention after the release of his fourth mixtape Overly Dedicated, which was released in 2010. It was Lamar's first full-length project to be released under his birth name and fared well enough to enter the United States Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it peaked at number 72.

Bill Adler is an American music journalist and critic who specializes in hip-hop. Since the early 1980s he has promoted hip-hop in a variety of capacities, including as a publicist, biographer, record label executive, documentary filmmaker, museum consultant, art gallerist, curator, and archivist. He is known best for his tenure as director of publicity at Def Jam Recordings (1984–1990), the period of his career to which the critic Robert Christgau was referring when he described Adler as a "legendary publicist".

Dej Loaf American rapper from Michigan

Deja Monét Trimble, better known by her stage name Dej Loaf, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan. She began her music career in 2011, and released her debut single "Just Do It" in 2012. In October 2014, she released her second mixtape, Sell Sole.

Christopher Richard Jones better known by his stage name Jonezen, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and guitarist. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he now resides in Los Angeles, CA.

References

  1. "Mahogany Jones | New Music And Songs". MTV. February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  2. "Mahogany Jones to release 'Pure Volume 1' – The Michigan Citizen". Michigancitizen.com. January 30, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  3. Jason 'Conquest' Roberts. "Mahogany Jones: A Lover & Fighter With 'PURE' Intentions". Jam the Hype. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  4. "Writers-in-Residence – InsideOut Literary Arts Project". Insideoutdetroit.org. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  5. "Who Understands Me But Me? A Youth Voices Conference. – InsideOut Literary Arts Project". Insideoutdetroit.org. December 28, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  6. "Globe-Trotting Performer Mahogany Jones Calls Detroit Home » WDET 101.9 FM". July 30, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  7. "American Music Abroad Cultivates Next Generation of Voices". Washdiplomat.com. December 27, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  8. "U.S. Department of State Announces American Music Abroad Tour to Africa". State.gov. September 10, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  9. "U.S. Department of State and American Voices Announce 2012- 2013 American Music Abroad Participants". State.gov. March 9, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  10. Montemurri, Patricia. "Music | Detroit Free Press". Freep.com. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  11. "Mahogany Jones Returns From African Music Tour". Dearbornfreepress.com. November 28, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  12. "Yes Academy Iraq 20–30 June". Erbil Lifestyle. June 30, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  13. "Events | Consulate General of the United States Sao Paulo, Brazil". Saopaulo.usconsulate.gov. January 3, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  14. "Globe-Trotting Performer Mahogany Jones Calls Detroit Home » WDET 101.9 FM". July 30, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  15. "Eastpointe Hip-Hop Artist Headed to Africa As State Department Music Ambassador – Deadline Detroit". Deadlinedetroit.com. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  16. "Mahogany Jones on Fox 2 Detroit Morning News - Zambia Videos". Firstpost.com. p. 14. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  17. "US Hip-hop group on Rwanda tour". In2eastafrica.net. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  18. "All set for Amaka Arts Festival". Smsmedia.co.zm. October 8, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  19. "American Hip Hop musicians in Kigali | Embassy of the United States Kigali, Rwanda". Rwanda.usembassy.gov. February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  20. "US Hip-hop group on Rwanda tour - The New Times Rwanda". Newtimes.co.rw. October 24, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  21. "Yes Academy Iraq 20–30 June". Erbil Lifestyle. June 30, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  22. "Press Releases | Embassy of the United States Baghdad, Iraq". Iraq.usembassy.gov. July 8, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  23. "Globe-Trotting Performer Mahogany Jones Calls Detroit Home » WDET 101.9 FM". July 30, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  24. "Morphed - Mahogany Jones - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  25. "Mahogany Jones". Amvoices.org. April 18, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  26. "Morphed by Mahogany Jones - CD Reviews And Information - NewReleaseToday". Newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  27. "Mahogany Jones of The Yuinon 'Pure Vol. 1' Full Interview - Wade-O Radio". Wadeoradio.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  28. "Listen Free to Mahogany Jones - Pure (feat. Chris Lawson & Kris Johnson) Radio". IheartRadio. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  29. Shabazz, Sherron. "Mahogany Jones: Sugar Water | The Real Hip-Hop".
  30. "Mahogany Jones Releases 'Sugar Water' [LISTEN]". August 22, 2016.
  31. Floating by Mahogany Jones, November 27, 2020, retrieved June 29, 2022
  32. Sande, Shirquille (December 2, 2020). "Mahogany Jones - The Floating EP - Holy Culture". holyculture.net. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  33. "Bridge Wars". Queensbridgerecords.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  34. "Bridge Wars". Amazon.com. December 1, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2018.