Sudan Ameer Williams (born November 16, 1989), better known by his
stage name
A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...
Iamsu! (stylized as IamSu! or IAMSU!), 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 ...
,
singer
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...
,
songwriter
A songwriter is a musician who professionally composes musical compositions or writes lyrics for songs, or both. The writer of the music for a song can be called a composer, although this term tends to be used mainly in the classical music gen ...
, and
record producer
A record producer is a recording project's creative and technical leader, commanding studio time and coaching artists, and in popular genres typically creates the song's very sound and structure.Virgil Moorefield"Introduction" ''The Producer as ...
. He is also a part of the production team The Invasion and lead member of the hip hop group
The HBK Gang
The HBK Gang (abbreviation for the Heartbreak Gang) is an American hip hop collective based in Richmond, California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by Iamsu!, Chief, Skipper and P-Lo in 2008, members also include singer Kehlani and rapper ...
. Iamsu! has released numerous mixtapes in his career including ''Suzy 6 Speed'', ''Million Dollar Afro'' with fellow California rapper
Problem and the ''
Kilt
A kilt ( gd, fèileadh ; Irish: ''féileadh'') is a garment resembling a wrap-around knee-length skirt, made of twill woven worsted wool with heavy pleats at the sides and back and traditionally a tartan pattern. Originating in the Scottish Hi ...
'' series. He is also known for featuring on
LoveRance
LoveRance (born Rance Love Oliver II) is an American rapper, record producer, producer and deejay, DJ from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is best known for his 2011 hit single Up! (LoveRance song), "Up!" featuring 50 Cent and produced by Iamsu!. ...
's "
Up!",
E-40
Earl Tywone Stevens Sr. (born November 15, 1967), better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper. He is a founding member of the rap group The Click, and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released 26 studio albums to date, a ...
's "
Function
Function or functionality may refer to:
Computing
* Function key, a type of key on computer keyboards
* Function model, a structured representation of processes in a system
* Function object or functor or functionoid, a concept of object-oriente ...
", and
Sage the Gemini
Dominic Wynn Woods (born June 20, 1992), better known by his stage name Sage the Gemini (), is an American rapper and record producer from Fairfield, California. He is perhaps best known for his 2013 singles "Gas Pedal" (featuring Iamsu!), which ...
's "
Gas Pedal
"Gas Pedal" is a song by American rapper Sage the Gemini with additional vocals from fellow Bay Area rapper Iamsu!. It was produced by Dominic Wynn Woods and written by Woods and Sudan Williams. It was released on March 21, 2013 as the seco ...
". His debut album ''
Sincerely Yours'' was released on May 13, 2014.
Early life
Sudan Ameer Williams was born on November 16, 1989, in
Richmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was municipal corporation, incorporated on August 7, 1905, and has a Richmond, California City Council, city council. , however, he moved to live in
Pinole
Pinole, also called pinol or pinolillo, is roasted ground maize, which is then mixed with a combination of cocoa, agave, cinnamon, chia seeds, vanilla, or other spices. The resulting powder is then used as a nutrient-dense ingredient to make di ...
. At a young age, he would be listening to artists such as
Kanye West
Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer.
Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...
,
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and sex offender convicted of racketeering and multiple sex offenses.
During his recording career, Kelly sold over 75 million records worldwi ...
,
Aaliyah,
Marching Band
A marching band is a group of instrumental musicians who perform while marching, often for entertainment or competition. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Most marching bands wear a uniform, ofte ...
, The Grammar Band and
reggae
Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, " Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use ...
music. At the age of 14, he began making music. Around that time, he was "always playing with instruments and messing around with music." Once he attended high school, he started learning how to make beats at a local Bay Area Youth Program "Youth Radio".
Career
2009–12: Career beginnings
In 2009, Iamsu! started rapping under his stage name "Su", but then he decided to change it to Iamsu!, due to search engine optimization.
On July 4, 2010, he released his first mixtape, titled ''Su! The Right Thing''. In 2011, Iamsu! produced, co-wrote and featured on
LoveRance
LoveRance (born Rance Love Oliver II) is an American rapper, record producer, producer and deejay, DJ from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is best known for his 2011 hit single Up! (LoveRance song), "Up!" featuring 50 Cent and produced by Iamsu!. ...
's hit single "
Up!", which also included fellow rapper
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and businessman. Born in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, Jackson began pursuing a musical career in 2000, when he produced ...
on a remix. The song peaked at number 46 on the US ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
''
Hot 100
The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streaming ...
and reached at number 2 on the
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...
.
He followed with his appearance on
E-40
Earl Tywone Stevens Sr. (born November 15, 1967), better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper. He is a founding member of the rap group The Click, and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released 26 studio albums to date, a ...
's hit song "
Function
Function or functionality may refer to:
Computing
* Function key, a type of key on computer keyboards
* Function model, a structured representation of processes in a system
* Function object or functor or functionoid, a concept of object-oriente ...
", along with rappers
Problem and
YG. The song peaked at number 62 on the US
''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. In 2012, he also featured on
Jonn Hart
Di'Jonn Grizzell, (born August 29, 1989) better known by his stage name Jonn Hart, is an American singer, rapper from Oakland, California. He is a former member of the band Tha Outfit and was formerly signed to Epic Records. His debut release, "Wh ...
's track "
Who Booty
"Who Booty" is a song by American R&B singer Jonn Hart, featuring vocals from rapper Iamsu!, originally from his debut mixtape ''Heart 2 Hart''. The song has been in regular rotation on radio stations, peaking at #3 on the Rhythmic Songs chart, ...
" and
Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz (born September 8, 1987), better known by his stage name Wiz Khalifa, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He released his debut album, ''Show and Prove'', in 2006 and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 200 ...
's track "Bout Me".
2012–13: ''$uzy 6 Speed'', ''Million Dollar Afro'' and ''Kilt II''
On October 2, 2012, Iamsu! released his previous mixtapes: ''Kilt'', ''Young California'' and ''Su! The Right Thing'', on
iTunes
iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...
for sale. On November 12, 2012, Iamsu! released another mixtape, titled ''$uzy 6 Speed''. This mixtape features
guest appearance
In show business, a guest appearance is the participation of an outsider performer (such as a musician or actor) in an event such as a music record or concert, show, etc., when the performer does not belong to the regular band, cast, or other p ...
s from
Juvenile, Problem and
Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz (born September 8, 1987), better known by his stage name Wiz Khalifa, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He released his debut album, ''Show and Prove'', in 2006 and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 200 ...
. It contained the single "Mobbin'" and received critical acclaim upon the release.
On February 13, 2013, both Iamsu! and Problem, released a collaboration mixtape, titled ''Million Dollar Afro''.
The mixtape would be praised by Tom Breihan of
Stereogum
''Stereogum'' is a daily Internet publication that focuses on music news, reviews, interviews, and commentary. The site was created in January 2002 by Scott Lapatine.
''Stereogum'' was one of the first MP3 blogs and has received several award ...
and ''
Spin'', and was named mixtape one of the best rap releases of 2013.
This mixtape features guest appearances from Juvenile,
King L
Louis King Johnson, Jr. (born December 27, 1987), better known by his stage name King Louie (or King L), is an American rapper from Chicago. Spin Magazine attributed King Louie as being one of the Chicago rappers who made Chicago the "hottest h ...
, Bad Lucc,
Too Short
Todd Anthony Shaw (born April 28, 1966), better known by the stage name Too Short (stylized as Too $hort), is an American rapper and record producer. He became famous in the West Coast hip hop scene in the late 1980s, with lyrics often based on ...
,
Omarion
Omari Ishmael Grandberry (born November 12, 1984), better known by his stage name Omarion, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, actor and dancer. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the boy band B2K. The group achieved success in the e ...
, Short Dawg and Wiz Khalifa, among others. To promote the mixtape, he been touring with Problem on the 10-stop "Million Dollar Afro Tour".
On March 5, 2013, ''Spin'' named Iamsu! as the tenth "Hottest MC in the Game".
In May 2013, Iamsu! began his first headlining tour, in promotion of his then upcoming mixtape, titled ''
Kilt II
''Kilt II'' is the fifth solo mixtape by American rapper Iamsu!. The mixtape was released on June 6, 2013 independently for free. Then on July 9, 2013, a deluxe edition of the mixtape was released to digital music retailers. Production on the ...
''.
On June 6, 2013, Iamsu! released ''Kilt II'' as a retail mixtape, for free and to iTunes on July 9, 2013. The
production
Production may refer to:
Economics and business
* Production (economics)
* Production, the act of manufacturing goods
* Production, in the outline of industrial organization, the act of making products (goods and services)
* Production as a stati ...
was primarily handled by Iamsu!, along with other members of The Invasion. ''
Pitchfork Media
''Pitchfork'' (formerly ''Pitchfork Media'') is an American online music publication (currently owned by Condé Nast) that was launched in 1995 by writer Ryan Schreiber as an independent music blog.
Schreiber started Pitchfork while working ...
'' gave the mixtape a 7.5 out of 10 rating saying, the mixtape "doubles down on all of his strongest and most likeable qualities: Largely self-produced, high-energy, and creative, it shows Iamsu! continuing to transform from a promising, agreeable Bay Area rap figure into a burgeoning star."
''Spin'' would also praise the mixtape saying, "As much a showcase of Iamsu!'s production prowess as it is evidence of his unique lyrical skills, the new tape is an enjoyably bumpy ride through treble-y bleeps, bassy bloops, tinny drums, and hard-hustling vocals." Following its release, he told
HipHopDX
''HipHopDX'' is an online magazine of hip hop music criticism and news. The website's current president and publisher is Sharath Cherian and the Head Of Content is Jerry L. Barrow. ''HipHopDX'' is the flagship publication of Cheri Media Group.
...
that he was working with
Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz (born September 8, 1987), better known by his stage name Wiz Khalifa, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He released his debut album, ''Show and Prove'', in 2006 and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 200 ...
and
2 Chainz on their upcoming albums ''Blacc Hollywood'' and ''
B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time''. He would eventually appear on "Livin", taken from 2 Chainz album ''B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time'' (2013).
2013–2016: ''Sincerely Yours'' and ''Kilt 3''
Iamsu! was also featured on
Sage the Gemini
Dominic Wynn Woods (born June 20, 1992), better known by his stage name Sage the Gemini (), is an American rapper and record producer from Fairfield, California. He is perhaps best known for his 2013 singles "Gas Pedal" (featuring Iamsu!), which ...
's 2013's hit single "
Gas Pedal
"Gas Pedal" is a song by American rapper Sage the Gemini with additional vocals from fellow Bay Area rapper Iamsu!. It was produced by Dominic Wynn Woods and written by Woods and Sudan Williams. It was released on March 21, 2013 as the seco ...
", which peaked at number 29 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, making it both artist's first top 40 entries and their most successful single to date. On August 12, 2013, Iamsu! and his group
HBK Gang
The HBK Gang (abbreviation for the Heartbreak Gang) is an American Hip hop music, hip hop collective based in Richmond, California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by Iamsu!, Chief, Skipper and P-Lo in 2008, members also include singer Kehl ...
, released a compilation mixtape, titled ''
Gang Forever
''Gang Forever'' is the debut mixtape by American hip hop collective HBK Gang, founded by rapper Iamsu! The mixtape was released on August 12, 2013.
Overview
HBK Gang released their debut compilation album on August 12, 2013. Titled ''Gang For ...
''. On December 3, 2013, Iamsu! released "Hipster Girls as the second single from ''Kilt II''.
On January 3, 2014, Iamsu! released a remix to
YG's "
Who Do You Love Who Do You Love? may refer to:
* ''Who Do You Love?'' (film), a 2008 film biopic of American record producer Leonard Chess
* ''Who Do You Love?'' (album), by King Adora Songs
* "Who Do You Love?" (Bo Diddley song), 1956
* "Who Do You Love" (Be ...
", where he was hinted at being signed and planning to release his debut album. On January 7, 2014, he announced that his debut album would be titled ''
Sincerely Yours'' and be released in April 2014. He also confirmed that the first single would feature Sage the Gemini. On January 28, 2014, he released the album's first single, titled "
Only That Real
Only That Real is a song by American rapper Iamsu! from his debut studio album, ''Sincerely Yours (Iamsu! album), Sincerely Yours'' (2014). The song was released as his commercial debut single on February 4, 2014. It features guest verses by Amer ...
", featuring Sage the Gemini and 2 Chainz. The album was then set for a May 13, 2014, release date.
In 2015, he began touring worldwide to promote his second studio album, ''KILT 3''. The first single "Up All Night" followed February 14, 2016. The album was released March 24, 2016.
Discography
* ''
Sincerely Yours'' (2014)
* ''Kilt III'' (2016)
* ''06 Solara'' (2018)
* ''Blessed'' (2018)
* ''Boss Up V'' (2019)
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
1989 births
African-American male rappers
African-American record producers
Living people
People from Richmond, California
Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area
The HBK Gang members
21st-century American rappers
Record producers from California