Shyheim

Last updated

Shyheim
Shyheim in 2011 (cropped).jpg
Shyheim in 2011
Born
Shyheim Dionel Franklin

(1979-11-14) November 14, 1979 (age 44) [1] [2]
Other namesThe Rugged Child [3]
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • actor
Years active1993–present
Relatives Ghostface Killah (cousin) [4]
Musical career
Genres
Labels

Shyheim Dionel Franklin (born November 14, 1979) is an American rapper from New York better known simply as Shyheim. He initially gained fame as a teenager, releasing his debut album AKA the Rugged Child at the age of 14 in 1994. He has spent the majority of his career affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan, frequently collaborating with Method Man and Ghostface Killah. [5]

Contents

As a teenager, Shyheim was considered one of hip hop's brightest prospects, being referred to as a "Wunderkind" [6] and a "prodigy", [5] even being admired by fellow rappers such as Jay-Z, who said he "looked up to him" in admiration in his autobiography Decoded . [7] [8]

After 1996's The Lost Generation, Shyheim's career saw a string of underperforming releases over the next eighteen years, and was finally derailed due to a hit-and-run conviction. He was released from prison in early 2020. [9]

Career

Music

Shyheim's Virgin Records debut, AKA the Rugged Child . It included the hit single "On and On" the video of which featured Method Man, [10] and the album rose to #7 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart.

Shyheim joined others, notably the Fugees, to provide a free concert to deaf children in a summer camp in 1996. [11]

Shyheim released another album in 1996, The Lost Generation, which featured members of G.P. Wu and Brooklyn Zu. [12] He also shared the stage with the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Scoob and Big Daddy Kane at Madison Square Garden, for a live freestyle session. [6] [9] He also made an appearance on Big Daddy Kane's "Show & Prove," which featured Ol' Dirty Bastard, Sauce Money, Scoob and Jay-Z. [10]

Shyheim resumed his career after almost a decade and released subsequent albums on the label he founded, Bottom Up Records. [5] His third, fourth, and fifth albums, Manchild, The Greatest Story Never Told, and Enter the Bottom were released to little fanfare in 1999, 2004, and 2008 respectively. Shyheim released his fifth solo album, Disrespectfully Speaking, October 2009 on his label Bottom Up Records. [5]

Acting

Shyheim starred in the video for TLC's "Waterfalls". [10]

He has had roles in films such as the 1996 Pam Grier, Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, and Richard Roundtree vehicle Original Gangstas , [13] [ failed verification ] [14] In Too Deep , [15] [10] and The Preacher's Wife [9] [10] and he also starred in the television show The Parent Hood . [9] Shyheim appeared in a small role in the prequel Carlito's Way: Rise to Power . [9]

In July 2002, Shyheim was sentenced to a year in prison after second degree attempted robbery. On November 4, 2003, Shyheim was released from prison.

In January 2014, Shyheim turned himself into authorities facing charges for leaving the scene of an accident during a hit-and-run accident that left one person dead. [10] On August 21, 2014, Shyheim was sentenced to 14 years in prison after he pled guilty to second degree manslaughter. He also received a concurrent term of seven years for a gun conviction, and is subject to five years' post release supervision. [16] [17] On January 6, 2020, Shyheim was released from prison after serving a five year sentence. [18] [19]

Discography

Studio albums

Filmography

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wu-Tang Clan</span> American hip hop collective

Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop musical collective formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and, until his death in 2004, Ol' Dirty Bastard. Close affiliate Cappadonna later became an official member. They are credited for revitalizing East Coast hip hop and are considered one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U-God</span> American rapper (born 1970)

Lamont Jody Hawkins, better known by his stage name U-God, meaning Universal-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 is known for his deep voice and rhythmic flow that can alternate between gruff and smooth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raekwon</span> American rapper (born 1970)

Corey Woods, better known by his stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as a founding member of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which achieved mainstream success following the release of their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang , in 1993. Raekwon would subsequently pursue a solo career, releasing his first solo album, entitled Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., in 1995. The album received critical acclaim, and is regarded by many critics as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, as well as a staple of 1990s rap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghostface Killah</span> American rapper (born 1970)

Dennis David Coles, better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and a member of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success. Ghostface Killah debuted his solo career with Ironman, which was well-received by music critics, in 1996. He has enjoyed continued success in the years that have followed, releasing critically acclaimed albums such as Supreme Clientele (2000) and Fishscale (2006). His stage name was taken from one of the characters in the 1979 kung fu film The Mystery of Chess Boxing. He is the founder of his own record label, Starks Enterprises.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inspectah Deck</span> American rapper and producer

Jason Richard Hunter, better known by his stage name Inspectah Deck, is an American rapper and hip hop producer. He is a member of the groups Wu-Tang Clan and Czarface.

<i>Tical</i> (album) 1994 studio album by Method Man

Tical is the debut studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man. It was released November 15, 1994, by Def Jam Recordings. It was the first Wu-Tang solo album released after the group's debut, Enter the Wu-Tang . Similar to all first generation solo Wu-Tang projects, Tical was mainly produced by group member RZA, who provided a dark, murky and rugged sound. The album features guest appearances from RZA, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, as well as several affiliates, who would later appear on future group projects. On October 5, 2017, Method Man revealed on the Viceland talk show Desus & Mero that the album's title is an acronym for "taking into consideration all lives."

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

Walter Reed, better known by his stage name Killah Priest, is an American rapper, member of Sunz of Man and Wu-Tang Clan affiliate who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is known for his intensely spiritual lyrics, containing religious references and metaphors. He is connected to the Black Hebrew Israelites through his rhymes, and is known for his controversial and political subject matter. He is also a part of supergroup the HRSMN along with Canibus, Ras Kass, and Kurupt.

Killarmy is an American hip hop group that is affiliated with Wu-Tang Clan. It is one of the earliest and most successful of the many Wu-Tang affiliates along with Sunz of Man.

Lason Jackson, better known as La the Darkman, is a Wu-Tang Clan affiliated rapper and MC.

Chron Smith, better known by his stage name Hell Razah, is an American rapper. He is best known as a member of Sunz of Man, an early affiliate group of the Wu-Tang Clan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tekitha</span> Musical artist

Tekitha Washington is a Wu-Tang Clan affiliated female vocalist. She was the Wu-Tang Clan's in-house singer for the album Wu-Tang Forever, on which she also performed a solo track titled "Second Coming". She also filled in for the unavailable Mary J. Blige in the video for Ghostface Killah's "All That I Got Is You".

Bronze Nazareth is an American record producer and rapper associated with the Wu-Tang Clan. He has a solo career as an emcee and is also a part of the hip-hop group Wisemen along with his brother Kevlaar 7.

GP Wu was an American hip hop group consisting of four members, Pop Da Brown Hornet, Down Low Recka, Rubbabandz and June Luva. The group formed in 1993 and were one of the many affiliates of The Wu-Tang Clan.

Remedy is an American rapper and hip-hop producer. He is known for being the first Jewish rapper to be affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan. He owns and runs Code Red Entertainment, his label that released Cappadonna's The Struggle album in 2003. He also served as executive producer on Inspectah Deck's album Manifesto in 2010. Remedy has produced and been featured on various works for ESPN. He released a mixtape, It All Comes Down to This, in 2010. He is the co-executive producer of the Wu-Tang Killa Bees: Return Of The Swarm album.

<i>Dont Go Against the Grain</i> 1998 studio album by GP Wu

Don't Go Against the Grain is the only studio album by American hip hop group GP Wu. It was released on January 27, 1998, through MCA Records.

<i>Wu-Tang Forever</i> 1997 studio album by Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Forever is the second studio album by the American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released June 3, 1997, by Loud and RCA Records in the United States. Pressed as a double album, it was released after a long run of successful solo projects from various members of the group, and serves as the follow-up to their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang . Forever features several guest appearances from Wu-Tang affiliates Cappadonna, Streetlife, 4th Disciple, True Master, and Tekitha. The original run of compact discs featured an enhanced CD which allowed users to walk around the "Wu Mansion" and access additional content.

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

Darryl Hill, better known by his stage name Cappadonna, is an American rapper. He is a member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan and is a member of the hip hop group Theodore Unit together with Ghostface Killah.

"On and On" is a song recorded by American hip-hop rapper Shyheim featuring Kia Jeffries. It was released as the first single from his 1994 album, AKA the Rugged Child.

References

  1. 1 2 Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. MUZE. p. 439. ISBN   9780195313734.
  2. 1 2 "Shyheim". AllMusic . Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  3. Williams, Kiani (April 20, 2019). "Shyheim: Recognizing the Rugged Child". Rock The Bells. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  4. Lars Brandle (January 9, 2014). "Rapper Shyheim Franklin Arrested After New Year's Day Hit-And-Run Death". Billboard . Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Sryon, HipHopDX -. "Shyheim Talks "Disrespectfully Speaking," Bottom Up Records" . Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  6. 1 2 "20 Years Later: Why 2Pac's 'Hit 'Em Up' Is the Greatest Diss Song of All Time". June 4, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  7. "In Case You've Been Missing…Shyheim - XXL". November 18, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  8. "Shyheim Speaks On Decoded Mention". November 10, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rapper Shyheim Franklin is still in the game, despite his share of ups and downs". November 5, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Markman, Rob (January 9, 2014). "Wu-Tang Affiliate Shyheim Faces Felony Charges In Fatal Hit And Run". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  11. "The Fresh Air Fund;Meeting Urban Musicians At a Camp in the Country". The New York Times. July 21, 1996. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  12. "Shyheim". Discogs . Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  13. "Middle-Aged Vigilantes: The Gang Has Grown Up". The New York Times. May 11, 1996. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  14. Staff, Hollywood.com (May 23, 2014). "Shyheim Franklin - Biography and Filmography" . Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  15. Greg, Grouchy (April 25, 1999). "New Shyheim Album Due" . Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  16. Donnelly, Frank (August 21, 2014). "Rapper Shyheim Franklin sentenced to up to 14 years in fatal hit-and-run". SILive.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  17. Muhammad, Latifah (August 23, 2014). "Shyheim Franklin Sentenced to 14 Years for Hit-and-Run". BET.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  18. Spezzamonte, Irene (January 8, 2020). "Wu-Tang-affiliated rapper Shyheim Franklin out of prison after fatal hit-and-run conviction". SILive.com. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  19. Moorwood, Victoria (January 7, 2020). "Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Shyheim released from prison: He served a five-year bid". REVOLT.tv. Retrieved February 5, 2020.