Darryl Hill, better known by his stage name Cappadonna, is an American

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

. He is a member of the hip-hop collective the

Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Close affili ...

and is a member of the rap group Theodore Unit together with

Ghostface Killah Dennis Coles (born May 9, 1970), 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 (36 C ...

Career

Cappadonna (also known as Cappachino) was known to the future members of the Wu-Tang Clan, and had been

U-God Lamont Jody Hawkins (born November 10, 1970), better known as U-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 t ...

's mentor. However, Cappadonna went to prison and was replaced in the group by

Method Man Clifford Smith, Jr. (born March 2, 1971), better known by his stage name Method Man, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is known as a member of the East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He is also half of t ...

. Cappadonna made his recording debut as an affiliate of the Wu-Tang Clan on

Raekwon Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), better known by his stage name Raekwon The Chef, or simply 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 ...

's 1995 single "

Ice Cream Ice cream is a sweetened frozen food typically eaten as a snack or dessert. It may be made from milk or cream and is flavoured with a sweetener, either sugar or an alternative, and a spice, such as cocoa or vanilla, or with fruit such as str ...

" on '' Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...''. He was also a guest star, along with Raekwon, on

's solo debut album, '' Ironman''. He made his first appearance on a Wu-Tang Clan album in 1997 on ''

Wu-Tang Forever ''Wu-Tang Forever'' is the second studio album of American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released June 3, 1997, on Loud/RCA Records in the United States. Pressed as a double album, it was released after a long run of successful solo projects fro ...

'' on the single "

Triumph The Roman triumph (Latin triumphus) was a celebration for a victorious military commander in ancient Rome. For later imitations, in life or in art, see Trionfo. Numerous later uses of the term, up to the present, are derived directly or indirectl ...

". Following his appearance on ''Forever'', he contributed significantly to the group's third studio album, ''

The W ''The W'' is the third studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. It was released on November 21, 2000, by Loud Records. After their 1997 album '' Wu-Tang Forever'', several of the group's members released solo projects before ''The W' ...

'', at which point his appearances were no longer marked with "Featuring Cappadonna", as they had been on ''Forever''. After a falling-out with RZA the next year over royalties, he did not appear at all on the group's subsequent album ''

Iron Flag ''Iron Flag'' is the fourth studio album by American East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, released on December 18, 2001 on Loud Records. It was certified gold in sales by the RIAA. ''Iron Flag'' served as the group's second lowest-selling ...

''. He reunited with the group for their concert at 2004's

Rock the Bells Rock the Bells was an annual hip-hop festival that originally took place in Southern California only, but has since toured throughout the world. The concert featured a line-up of high-profile alternative hip-hop artists, often headlined by a mor ...

, and appeared on 2007 release ''

8 Diagrams ''8 Diagrams'' is the fifth studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released December 11, 2007, on SRC/Universal Motown Records. The album was released three years after the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard, and six years after the group ...

''. Cappadonna's status as a Wu-Tang member or as a featured artist has varied throughout the years, while long referred to by both the group and fans as the "Unofficial Tenth Member". Also, while his vocals on ''8 Diagrams'' were not marked with "Feat. Cappadonna", much like ''The W'', he does not appear on the front cover with the original eight living members, and is not featured in the album's booklet with a picture, although he is included in the group's shout-outs sections. In a press conference held October 2, 2014, at Warner Studios for the upcoming release of the Wu-Tang Clan's ''A Better Tomorrow'' album, RZA clarified any misunderstanding of Cappadonna's affiliation with Wu-Tang Clan, stating that Cappadonna has been an official member of Wu-Tang Clan since ''8 Diagrams''. Cappadonna's first solo effort was 1998's ''

The Pillage ''The Pillage'' is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Cappadonna. It was released on March 24, 1998 through Razor Sharp Records, Razor Sharp/Epic Street. Recording sessions took place at 36 Chambers Studio in New York City, New York, e ...

'' which debuted and peaked at number 3 on the charts and certified Gold. His follow-up - 2001's '' The Ying and The Yang'' - debuted at number 51 on the charts. Staying vigilant in his support of The Clan, he then featured on over 25 releases including classics from Raekwon, Method Man and Ghostface. Known for his colorful wardrobe, he frequently refers to fashion designers and his large collection of boutique clothing in his raps. In 2019 Cappadonna was featured in '' Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men,'' a documentary in honor of the 25th anniversary of Wu-Tang Clan's debut album, ''Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).''

Discography

Albums

Collaboration albums

Singles and EPs

* 1996 "Taking Drastic Measures" * 1996 ''Don't Be a Menace'' soundtrack - track "Winter Warz" * 1998 "Slang Editorial" * 1998 "Run" * 1999 "Black Boy" * 2001 "Super Model" * 2007 "Don't Turn Around" * 2009 "Somebody's Got To Go" * 2011 "Cuban Link Kings"

References

External links

Cappadonna Interview

{{Authority control Living people African-American male rappers Wu-Tang Clan members Rappers from New York City American beatboxers East Coast hip hop musicians People from Staten Island 21st-century American rappers 1968 births