PackFM

Last updated

PackFM
Origin Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Hip hop artist, producer, visual artist
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1998–2014
Labels QN5 Music
Website qn5.com/artists/packfm%20qn5.com/artists/packfm

Omar Rogelio Tull (born June 11, 1977), better known by his stage name PackFM, is an American Underground hip hop artist and producer from Brooklyn, New York City. As a teenager in the mid-1990s, PackFM began his battle career, winning numerous prestigious freestyle titles. These wins include the 88HipHop MC Battle Champion, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame after four undefeated months, Braggin Rites tournament in 1999, Everlast Harlem Lyricist Championship in 2003, and three undefeated months in the 24 Hour MC Battle sponsored by TDK.

Contents

PackFM's recording career began in 1998, with his single "Hit List" getting frequent airplay on Hot 97 New York. Around 2000, PackFM joined and began to collaborate with QN5 label founder Tonedeff. After releasing the Extended F@mm EP Happy F*ck You Songs with Tonedeff, Substantial, and Session in 2002, PackFM has released two studio albums, 2006's whutduzFMstand4, which won UndergroundHipHop.com's People's Choice Album of the Year, and 2010's I F*cking Hate Rappers, which was featured on multiple "Best Of 2010" lists from sources such as 2DopeBoyz and HipHop DX. He has also worked on countless collaborations that have spawned a series of Featured Material releases. Since joining the QN5 label, PackFM has headlined and supported tours along with fellow labelmates Tonedeff and Cunninlynguists both nationally and internationally through Canada, Europe, and Australia. [1] He's also performed with Hip Hop superstars like Ghostface Killah, Common, Slick Rick, among others.

Throughout his career, PackFM and his music have been featured in many different mediums. PackFM's film credits include an award-winning Dutch documentary titled "Kika NY", and, alongside Questlove, Mos Def, and other prominent emcees, "Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme", which won multiple awards at film festivals around the United States. [2] PackFM has had two television spots, one for MTV Hip Hop Week in 2003, and another for the Ford Edge in 2007. In print, he's had features in XXL, The Source Magazine, "URB" and Rolling Stone Magazine. PackFM contributed a remixed version of "Click, Clack, Spray" for the soundtrack to Marc Ecko's Getting Up. The soundtrack went on to win two awards, one for Best Licensed Music from GameSpot and the MTV VMA for Best Video Game Soundtrack. [3] In 2008, PackFM starred in a G4 Freestyle 101 episode.

PackFM was working on his third and final solo album, The Human Highlight Reel and a new Extended F@mm record, along with co-hosting a weekly podcast, Tacos and Chocolate Milk, with long-time collaborator and friend Tonedeff before going on hiatus from performing in 2013. His last official feature was on the track "Lucky" off of Tonedeff's EP Hunter.

Biography

Early life

PackFM was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. During much of his youth, he had less of an interest in MCing than another element of hip hop, graffiti. PackFM attended LaGuardia High School, where he began to gain an appreciation for hip hop music and battle rapping after watching A Tribe Called Quest's "Check the Rhime". During high school, PackFM would battle in ciphers both in school and outside of hip hop shows. [4] After receiving his G.E.D., PackFM briefly attended Brooklyn College. [5] While at Brooklyn College he began to run a hip hop radio show, which led to him making many industry connections and eventually bringing him back into the New York freestyle scene.

Freestyle competitions (1997–2000)

PackFM quickly rose to the top of countless major freestyle battles during the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 1998, PackFM became the 88HipHop MC Battle Champion, and retained it for four months before retiring. He was inducted into the 88HipHop MC Battle Hall of Fame soon after. During the next year, he won the Braggin' Rites, Next Generation Battle, and TDK's 24 Hour MC Battle tournaments (the latter of which he retained his top spot for 3 straight months). [6] During his reign, he battled against many other prominent 1990s battle rappers who would lead to collaborations with underground scenes around the United States, including Poison Pen, Eyedea, Pumpkinhead, Apathy, among others. [6]

While PackFM was dominating freestyle tournaments, he also maintained a consistent flow of recorded singles and collaborations. His first single, "Hit List" in 1998, was immediately played in heavy rotation by Hot97 New York.

PackFM's memorable persona led to him being cast in numerous documentaries about New York hip hop culture, including the Dutch documentary Kika NY in 1999 and the award-winning Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme in 2000. [7]

QN5, Extended F@mm (2000–2004)

After dominating the battle scene, PackFM set out to do something very few freestyle battlers do successfully; create quality music in studio. His opportunity to do just this came to fruition when he began collaborating with Tonedeff, the founder of underground record label QN5 Music, whom he battled previously. The duo came together in 2000 to create a track for the Napster/Rapstation.com Power to the People and Beats contest, where they made it to the top six finalists.

In 2000, PackFM released his first mixtape Featured Material Volume One independently, which included a mixture of freestyles, past singles, and battles. In 2001 he released his first solo 12" single "Freestyle Marathon" through the now defunct Bronx Science label. The A side of the single was produced by Celph Titled and the B side was produced by PackFM himself and featured Rise and Wordsworth.

During 2002, PackFM released two group collaborations as well. First was The Plague's initial LP Gang Green, a large group album including QN5 labelmates, Talib Kweli, Jin, and Pumpkinhead. November 2002 saw the release of Extended F@mm's EP Happy F*ck You Songs. Extended F@mm is a collection of Tonedeff and PackFM and their underground hip hop friends Substantial, Session. Urban Smarts gave the EP a 65 "dope" rating, declaring the intensity of the battle rhymes can "rip you to lyrical shreds" with the consistent humor element being an added strength to the record. [8] Matt Jost of Rap Reviews further declared that Happy F*ck You Songs was one of "the most innovative posse cut[s] since – well, in a long time." [9] This EP led to a spot during MTV Hip Hop Week alongside Tonedeff.

After the release of Happy F*ck You Songs, PackFM maintained an incredibly fast recording pace. Both the solo compilation Featured Material Vol. 2 and the QN5 compilation Asterisk: Two were released by QN5 Music in 2003. 2004 saw another couple of compilation releases, Asterisk: Three by QN5 Music and The Plague's sophomore effort 28 Tracks Later, the latter of which the original crew, with a few additions including a remixed G-Unit track featuring 50 Cent.

whutduzFMstand4? (2003–2008)

Throughout the large output of compilations and collaborations, PackFM was working on something much more ambitious; a full solo studio album. PackFM released two singles for whutduzFMstand4? prior to its release; "Forevershine/Upclose & Personal/Set It Up" in 2004 and "Stomp/Complex Simplicity" in 2005. [10]

The 2005 QN5 Megashow was a major turning point in PackFM's career, as his stage presence and working of the crowd, while nursing an injured ankle, led to a label executive bidding war. Although majors were interested, PackFM went with the independent Avatar Records for distribution to maintain creative freedom. [5] This perk of interest also led to a video game appearance, with P. Diddy choosing "Click, Clack and Spray" to be featured on Marc Ecko's Getting Up and on the B-side of a promotional 12" for the game, with the A-side having past collaborator Talib Kweli with Rakim's "Getting Up Anthem." [11]

Originally projected to be released in Spring of 2004, the album was eventually released in September 2006. The album was met with critical acclaim from reviewers and underground hip hop fans alike. MVRemix gave the album a 9/10. Max Herman of XLR8R gave the album a positive review, stating, "as this album has been so many years in the making, Pack aptly makes every moment count." [12] Later that year, whutduzFMstand4 was announced UndergroundHipHop.com's 2006 People's Choice Award for Album of the Year. [13]

Asterisk: 4 was released in 2007 by QN5 Music, involving many PackFM collaborations as the past three have. That year, he performed in The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, which was headlined that year by Ghostface Killah.

I F*cking Hate Rappers (2008–2011)

On Valentine's Day, 2008, QN5 Music released the Baby Blue for Pink EP, with PackFM contributing the song "Plucking Daisies." [14] G4's Freestyle 101 Series featured PackFM a couple months later.

In 2009, PackFM was a nominee for Best Lyricist at the Underground Hip Hop Awards. [15] That same year, he was featured on the track "Hypnotize" for Cunninlynguists album Strange Journey, Vol. 1.

PackFM set out to write a follow-up solo album to whutduzFMstand4?. The record turned into the concept album I F*cking Hate Rappers, a passionate (and often humorous) condemnation of the present climate of Hip Hop. The album was released May 5, 2010. I F*cking Hate Rappers was met with even more universal acclaim than his previous effort. A Wu Tang Corp review gave the album a 4/5 and said it "could be a classic and serve as what rap albums should be." Nicholas Candiotto of Potholes in my Blog also gave I F*cking Hate Rappers a 4/5, calling the album "a breath of fresh air." [16] There were some reviewers who found his theme as too repetitive or that he complained too much, such as Jon Garcia of KevinNottingham.com. However, HipHopDX gave the album yet another 4/5 X rating, claiming that it will be remembered as an extremely significant album in years to come. [17] Absolutely Positive, the final "bonus" track on the album, spent multiple weeks on College Radio charts. [18]

After supporting tours for I F*ckin Hate Rappers around the United States and Europe with Cunninlynguists, PackFM began to yet again branch out to new ventures, this time outside of emceeing completely. [19] He also announced plans for his new solo project, The Human Highlight Reel, which was reported by Aboveground Magazine in November 2011.

In May 2012, PackFM and Tonedeff began the Tacos and Chocolate Milk (TaCM) podcast, an approximately one-hour-long show where they discuss nothing in particular. [20] Some recurring segments include "Yo Pack!" and "Evil Tony". The show occasionally has guests, such as Kno of Cunninlynguists and Mr. Mecca. Support behind this endeavor grew very quickly, as Paste Magazine listed the show in their July "Ten Best Music Podcasts" article, and it was also featured in the iTunes New and Noteworthy section. [21] As of Episode No. 24, the podcast has amassed over one million downloads.

PackFM's fourth Featured Material Volume 4 was released on June 19, 2012. Aside from the usual rarities and collaborations, a handful of stand-up bits performed by PackFM are included. PackFM announced on the TaCM podcast that he wants to pursue stand-up comedy.

Late August-early September saw PackFM's most recent tour, a far-reaching West Coast trip with Johnny October. During an interview with 88toInfinity in September 2012, PackFM announced that Human Highlight Reel, would be his final solo PackFM album, with a final EP preceding it titled The Speaker King. Further, it will be recorded on stage with a live band and audience all the way through in a single take, as he calls it, it will be his "show and prove album." [22] However, he said that he will still do collaborations with QN5 artists. On December 21, 2012, PackFM released a single titled "12" with members of The Plague.

Hiatus (2014–present)

PackFM's rap career went on official hiatus in the years after FM Volume 4 was released. His last official feature was on "Lucky" by Tonedeff. He has performed on occasion since then (including the finale of WNYU's Halftime Show [23] ), along with stand up gigs.

Discography

Studio albums

Solo compilations

Group compilations

Released: 2004 Label: MCMI Records/QN5 Music/Red Army Inc.

Singles

Film appearances

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bizarre (rapper)</span> American rapper

Rufus Johnson, better known by his stage name Bizarre, is an American rapper, best known for his work with the Detroit-based hip hop group D12.

Killa Kela is a British beatboxer and rapper from West Sussex. He is considered to have been the first beatboxer from the UK.

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

Micheal David Larsen, better known by his stage name Eyedea, was an American musician, rapper, and poet. He was a freestyle battle champion and songwriter from Saint Paul, Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Budden</span> American rapper and media personality (born 1980)

Joseph Anthony Budden II is an American media personality, broadcaster, cultural critic, and retired rapper. He first gained recognition in the latter occupation with his 2003 single "Pump It Up", which peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded the release of his eponymous debut studio album (2003). Met with critical and commercial success, the album peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200, although it served as his only major label release for Def Jam Recordings; he thereafter released seven albums independently to continued critical praise. While doing so, he performed as a member of the hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, which were signed to Eminem's Shady Records in 2012; the group released two studio albums.

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

CunninLynguists is an American hip hop group from Lexington, Kentucky. The group consists of Deacon the Villain, Kno, and Natti.

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

Pedro Antonio Rojas, Jr., better known by his stage name Tonedeff, is an American rapper, producer, singer-songwriter and record executive.

<i>A Piece of Strange</i> 2006 studio album by CunninLynguists

A Piece of Strange is the third studio album by the Southern hip hop trio CunninLynguists, consisting of Kno, Deacon the Villain and Natti. It was released January 24, 2006, by The LA Underground, a record label based in New Mexico.

<i>SouthernUnderground</i> 2003 studio album by CunninLynguists

SouthernUnderground is the second studio album by American hip hop trio CunninLynguists. It was released on April 1, 2003 via FreshChest Records. Recording sessions took place at Deacon's Crib in Lexington, Kentucky. Production was handled by member Kno, who also served as executive producer, Domingo, Freshchest Prose and RJD2. It features guest appearances from Cashmere The PRO, Masta Ace, Supastition and Tonedeff.

The Lox is an American hip hop group from Yonkers, New York, formed in 1994. The group is composed of East Coast rappers Sheek Louch, Styles P and Jadakiss. They had originally signed to Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records in 1996, before joining Ruff Ryders in 1999, and have since launched their own label, D-Block.

Supastition is an American underground hip hop artist from Greenville, North Carolina. He has also recorded under the name of Kam Moye and Blackmel. He has appeared on songs with the likes of KRS-One, The RZA, Ras Kass, Tech N9ne, Little Brother, Croup, The Soulution, S1 (producer), M-Phazes, Tajai of Souls of Mischief, B-Real of Cypress Hill, Royce da 5'9", Elzhi, and countless others.

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

David Albaladejo is an underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Puerto Rican descent. He is a member of the underground hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs (AOTP), having featured on all their studio albums. He is known for his frequent collaboration with AOTP members; OuterSpace. Outside of rap, Albaladejo works as a member of a trade union which has inspired the names of many of his studio albums.

<i>Will Rap for Food</i> 2001 studio album by CunninLynguists

Will Rap for Food is the debut album by southern hip hop group CunninLynguists, at the time only consisting of Deacon the Villain and Kno. It was released October 2001 on Urban Acres Entertainment. The album is mostly produced by Kno, with contributions from Celph Titled and Deacon the Villain, respectively, on the singles "So Live!" and "616 Rewind", which was released via Buds Distribution. Will Rap for Food was re-issued in 2005 by Freschest Records.

Domingo Padilla, better known as Domingo, is an American hip hop producer from Brooklyn, New York of Latino descent. He has produced for some well-known hip hop artists such as Das EFX, Immortal Technique, and Rakim, among others. He is closely associated with Kool G Rap.

<i>Strange Journey Volume Two</i> 2009 mixtape by CunninLynguists

Strange Journey Volume Two is the fourth mixtape by Southern hip-hop group CunninLynguists, released on November 3, 2009. The album features guest appearances from E-40, Sean Price, Witchdoctor, Evidence, Geologic of Blue Scholars and Tonedeff, among others. The production is mostly handled by Kno, with contributions from Blue Sky Black Death and J-Zone. Strange Journey Volume Two followed the July 2009 release of Strange Journey Volume One.

Willis Garnett Polk II, better known by his stage name Deacon the Villain, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer from Versailles, Kentucky. He is a founding member of the hip hop group CunninLynguists. Deacon has produced for the likes of KRS-One, King Tee, and J-Ro from Tha Liks, among others. Deacon the Villain has been featured in notable journalism sources such as XXL, Pop Matters, HipHopDX, and Exclaim!, among others.

Daniel Faraldo, known professionally as Dan-e-o, is a Canadian hip hop artist and actor of Jamaican and Spanish descent. In June 2015, Dan-e-o received the award for Best Hip Hop Artist at the Black Canadian Awards. He is a member of the groups Monolith and Perfeck Strangers, both based in Scarborough, Ontario.

Carlos Coleman, better known by his stage name King Los or simply Los, is an American rapper from Baltimore, Maryland. He is best known for his affiliation with Puff Daddy, having frequently served as his ghostwriter and been signed to his label, Bad Boy Records from 2005 until 2008. Coleman re-signed to the label in February 2012, although he departed once more in March 2014. His debut studio album, God, Money, War (2015) was released through RCA Records and entered the Billboard 200; Puff Daddy executive produced the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Badass</span> American rapper and actor from New York (born 1995)

Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, known by his stage name as Joey Badass, is an American rapper and actor. Born in Brooklyn, New York City, he formed the regional hip-hop group Pro Era in 2011, with whom he has released three mixtapes and formed the larger collective, Beast Coast the following year.

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

Stanley Robinson, known as Substantial, is an American hip hop recording artist from Prince George's County, Maryland. He now operates out of Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kno (musician)</span> American rapper

Ryan Dean Wisler, better known by his stage name Kno, is an American alternative hip hop rapper, producer, and singer. He is a founding member of the hip hop groups CunninLynguists and Built to Fade. Kno is currently signed to QN5 Music and APOS Music. In 2010, Kno was named "one of the top loop-miners east of the Mississippi" by URB.

References

  1. Shake (February 20, 2011). "CunninLynguists Announce Oneirology European Tour" . Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  2. "Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme – IMDb" via www.imdb.com.
  3. "2019 Video Music Awards". MTV.
  4. "PackFM music, videos, stats, and photos". Last.fm.
  5. 1 2 "[VIDEO] PackFM Ballin' to Australia – July 5th, 2013 @ Enigma (Adelaide, SA) | QN5 Music". qn5.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "PackFM". IMDb.
  8. ":: urban smarts . com | extended f@mm : happy fuck you songs | review". www.urbansmarts.com.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Omar Tull". Discogs.
  11. "Diddy Joins Ecko in Getting Up – IGN". October 13, 2005 via www.ign.com.
  12. Herman, Max (August 2006). "PackFM WhutduzFMstand4?". XLR8R.
  13. ":: PackFM Wins UGHH.com's Album Of The Year :: | QN5 Forums". qn5.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  14. "RapReview Feature for February 12, 2008 – PackFM Interview". www.rapreviews.com.
  15. "2009 Underground Music Award Nominees Announced". iHipHop. July 8, 2009.
  16. "Album Review: PackFM – I F*cking Hate Rappers". Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  17. Ortiz, Edwin (June 5, 2010). "PackFM – I F*cking Hate Rappers". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013.
  18. "RapAttackLives.com Top 30 Chart". June 15, 2009. Archived from the original on June 25, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  19. "PackFM Gigography, Tour History & Past Concerts – Songkick". www.songkick.com.
  20. "Tacos & Chocolate Milk Podcast | QN5 Music". qn5.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  21. "The 10 Best Music Podcasts". pastemagazine.com. June 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  22. "Wayback Machine has not archived that URL". Archived from the original on February 19, 2013.
  23. "PackFM | The Halftime Show 18th Anniversary" via www.facebook.com.

Interviews