DIARY OF A MADMAN
In 1993, Shabazz was discovered by The Rza of the Wu-Tang Clan. He exploded in 1994 with the first verse on the Gravediggaz’s platinum debut single and video, “Diary Of A Madman”, earning him the love of hip hop fans worldwide. He began touring the U.S. with the Wu-Tang Clan and eventually landed himself a solo deal in September of 1994 with Penalty/Tommy Boy Recordings. Shabazz then released his solo debut single and video, “Death Be The Penalty”, followed by “Crime Saga”, single and video, both receiving high street critical acclaim. The singles also received heavy rotation on BET, The Box, and MTV. Shabazz has performed on Teen Summit, and appeared on Rap City, and has also done a reenactment clip with the late Reggie Harris of CBS Channel 2 News, which aired in 1996 on Channel 2 News.In 1996, Shabazz wanted to control his own destiny, so he started his own label, “God’s Work”.He then released three strong singles, and has been touring the world ever since. He has performed in countries such as South America, Iceland, France, Germany, U.K., Switzerland, Austria, Holland,,Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Romania,Bulgaria,Latvia,Poland,Greece,Estonia,Slovakia,Hungary and The U.S. During his tours, Shabazz has been networking with foreign artists, and has been featuring on projects across the globe. He recently released a maxi-single on Kopfnicker Records in Germany called “Brooklyn Bullshit” b/w “Bail Money” and “Parallel Testimonies”. He and his cousin, Freestyle, formerly of The Arsonists, together form the group Celestial Souljahz, and are currently working on their album. Also in fruition is the Block Exchange, a family empire and risinghierarchy of the streets, which Shabazz formed along side a team of up and coming emcees. Overall, Shabazz has built a strong anticipation for his debut solo LP, and is known as one of the most visual lyricist of our time.
Trials & Tribulations
His father died of AIDS. Fifteen months later his uncle shared the same fate. His little sister Marion was accidentally shot and killed at the young age of 13 and his best friend was also shot and killed in front of him during a robbery on a train. When his childhood friend Supreme was released from jail after serving 11.5 years, it was gunshots that woke up Shabazz in the morning, only to find Supreme murdered on his doorstep.
And while God kept him alive throughout his survival in one of America’s most dangerous ghettos, Shabazz too felt the barrel of a shotgun on his forehead. With eyes closed he saw his life flash by while he awaited his execution, only to hear the sound of an empty barrel… the killers had used their last bullet on his friend…
The Man & The Artist
This is the biography of Shabazz. This is what made Shabazz who he is today, a very strong man, an artist, a father to his four beautiful daughters. This is the man whom Nas referred to as ‘a legend’, this is the man whom Big Pun called one of his main inspirations. And Rakim, Wu-Tang Clan, KRS One, DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill, Jay-Z, M.O.P, Shady Records A&R Riggs Morales and many, many more have all praised Shabazz for his music.
In 1994 he captured the attention of the world with his classic verse on the platinum selling Gravediggaz album ‘6 Feet Deep’. The song ‘Diary Of A Madman’ famed Shabazz in the Hiphop world as one of the best newcomers in history. Soon after, Shabazz’s career took off rapidly with the single ‘Crime Saga’. Record labels started taking notice of the huge public response to the record and offers for album deals started flooding in. Shabazz however, was not able to focus on his career due to the increasing violence in his surroundings, sadly leading to the deaths of close friends and family.
‘It was music that saved my life because it was a non violent way to release my anger and pain, instead of physically taking it out on human beings’ says Shabazz.
Things quickly turned for the better as Shabazz was gaining enormous popularity in America and Europe. The ‘Crime Saga’ single was getting much airplay on the radio and when the video was completed by Wu-Tang member GZA/Genius, it went on to rotate heavily on BET, The Box and MTV. The success led to live performances on Teen Summit, Rap City and a reenactment with the late Reggie Harris of CBS News, which aired on Channel 2 News.
The Arrest
But just at the peak of his success, he was again confronted with the daily horrors of his neighborhood. Shabazz, who’s girlfriend at the time was pregnant with their first child, was arrested by NYPD after they had found 144 crack vials spread over his front door pavement. Shabazz was facing 3 to 9 years in jail.
‘I was standing up facing the judge, looking back to my girl who was pregnant at the time with our first child, and praying to God he’d let justice be served. And God saved me again… I was found not guilty, I cried, I thanked God, I hugged my girl, thanked my lawyer and walked away…’
The Move
Shabazz continued to work with the best Hiphop artists in the world. He repeatedly performed in South America, Iceland, France, Germany, U.K., Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Norway and Spain. He scored a number one single in Brazil and was honorably invited to perform at a sold out soccer stadium right after France won the world cup. One of his most memorable moments remains in the year 1992 when Shabazz performed alongside the late Tupac Shakur. He has seen it all and has done it all.
Shabazz moves on, recording some of the finest Hiphop you’ll ever hear… but if it’s not Dr. Dre in charge of his project, he doesn’t have any ambitions or goals left to pursue in Hiphop.
QUOTES
1.Rakim: “Baz You’re The Greatest Newcomer Of All Time. You’re Incredible(In Sweden 1997)
2.Big Pun:”Baz You’re Shit Is Crazy, I Got My Style From Crime Saga,You’re My influence( New Yorker Hotel N.Y. 1997)
3.KRS:”You’re The Next Level Of Hip Hop, I Need Your Energy (Backstage at Virginia State University Show 1996)
4.Nas:”I Love Your Music, You’re already a legend, I would Love To Collab With You (Funkmaster Flex Release Party 1995)
5.Rza:”I Wanna Put You Out Through Wutang, You Always Kill Every Song (Rza’s House 1992)
6.Raekwon:”Ya Shit Is Fucking Crazy Hot Rewind That Shit. (Firehouse Studios 1993)
7.Gza:”Damn Baz Your Shit Is Mad ILL, I Love Your Shit. (Battery Studios N.Y. 1993)
8.Ghostface Killa:”Damn God Your Shit Is Too Sharp, I Gotta Get Like You. (Firehouse Studios N.Y. 1993)
DJ Primeire:”Crime Sga Is My Shit!!! Shouldn’t Be No Less Than Gold For You. (Ralph McDaniels’ Party in N.Y. 1995)
9.Guru:”You’re A Mentor Baz ,We Gotta Collab, Your Music Is Incredible.(D&D Studios N.Y. 1995)
10.Ralph McDaniels:”You Took The Game To A Whole Nother Level,, I Love Playing Your Videos, They Are Creative. (Ralph McDaniels’ Party in N.Y. 1995)
11.Afrikka Bambaata:”Your Voice Is The One For The Next Generation Of Our Music, ongs Are Original>>(backstage at a show in SAO PAULO Brazil 1999)
12.Lord Jamar:”We Watch Ya Videos All The Time That’s Our Shit,You’re The Most Visual Lyracist Of Our Time,,Your Shit Is Banging God,, We Need To Work Together.(On The Streets In Brooklyn N.Y. 1996)
13.Lil Fame(M.O.P):”Death Be The Penalty Was Over Niggaz’ Heads, But Crime Saga, That Shit Was Right There,Street Niggaz Love That One Baby,,Your Shity Is Rediculous Baz
Discography
1994—“Diary Of Madman” and “Graveyard Chamber”(Gravediggaz, Certified Platinum 6 Feet Deep LP), Gee Street
1995—“Death Be The Penalty” b/w “Conscious Of Sin”, Penalty Records
1995—“Five Arch Angels”(Sunz Of Man), Wu-Tang Records
1996—“Crime Saga”, Penalty Records
1997—“Street Parables” feat. Lord Jamar b/w “Organized Rime Pt.2”, God’s Work
1997—“Process Of Elimination”(Gravediggaz, The Pick, Sickle, and Shovel LP), Gee Street
1998—“The Lambs Blood”, God’s Work
1998—“Ghetto Apostles” feat. Freestyle, Bless, and Poetic from the Gravediggaz, God’s Work
1998—“Big Daddy Anthem” feat. Naturel, Wicked Wil, Mr. Eon and El Fudge, Big Daddy Distribution
1998—“War Trilogy”(Celestial Souljahz), “Truth” and “Angels Of The Death”(The Birth LP), Bomb Hip Hop
1998—“Eu Tiro En Onda”(Marcelo D2), Sony Brazil
1998—“Notify The President”(Massive Tone) feat. Celestial Souljahz, East West Germany
2000—“Brooklyn Bullshit” b/w “Bail Money” and “Parallel Testimonies” feat. Bless (Co-Defendants), Kopfnicker/EastWest Germany
2000—“Art Of Raw”(Sad Hill pt.2 LP) DJ Kheops of IAM feat. Shabazz & Arsonists, Delabel/Virgin France
2000—“Scan The Fields”(Sad Hill pt.2 LP) DJ Kheops of IAM feat. Shabazz & Arsonists, Delabel/Virgin France
2000—“Séance”(Curse feat. Shabazz, Arsonists, and Stieber Twins), Jive Zomba Germany
2000—“Blasphemy”(DJ Friction, Science Friction LP), East West Germany
2001—“Oasis” (Shabazz feat. Afrob, Ju of Massive Tone, Shur’kin of IAM, and Skills En Mass) Kopfnicker Das Album,Kopfnicker
2002—“World So Cold” (Lord Jamar feat. Shabazz and Black Starr) AV8/Warner Bros.
2003—-“Red Hook Day”, Brick Records
2003—-“The Book Of Shabazz-Hidden Scrollz”,album, Battleaxe Records
2004—-“ Preme”(All I Needed) – “Streets Is Talking” Calvin Klein Bacote and DJ Klark Kent Classic Mixtape
2006—- “The Passion Of The Hood Christ” CD and DVD,, Bloc Xchange
2007—- “Audiobiography” BSBD and Hellrazah feat. Shabazz The Disciple off the “Razah’s Ladder “ LP on Babygrande Records
2008—–”Welcome To Red Hook Houses” LP Babygrande Records Hellrazah and Shabazz are “T.H.U.G. ANGELZ”