| Kwamé | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Birth name |
Kwamé Holland |
|
Also known as |
K1 Mil |
|
Born |
1973 (age 42-43) |
|
Genre |
Hip hop, R&B |
|
Occupation(s) |
Rapper, record producer |
|
Years active |
1988-1994, 2001-present |
|
Label |
Atlantic, Wrap |
|
Associated acts |
Antoinette, Kid 'n Play, LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, Salt-n-Pepa, Skillz, Sweet Te, Three Times Dope |
Kwamé Holland (born 1973), better known by the mononym Kwamé and occasionally K1 Mil, is an American rapper and record producer who experienced brief popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1989, aged 16, Kwamé released his debut album, The Boy Genius, which he also produced with the assistance of Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. The album spawned the popular singles "The Man We All Know and Love" and "The Rhythm". The accompanying music videos featured a polka-dot motif in the costumes and production design, becoming his trademark and a hip hop fashion trend as his fans began wearing polka-dotted clothing. In 1990, Kwamé released his second album, A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure, a concept album about a day in the life of a high school student, which was supported with the singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue".
In 1992, Kwamé released his third album, Nastee. It marked a departure from his playful and intellectual persona in favor of more sexually charged lyrics. The title track was a minor hit, but the album quickly fell from the charts. His 1994 album Incognito failed to chart, and Kwamé disappeared from the hip hop scene for several years.
In 2000, Kwamé reemerged as a record producer. He has produced for artists such as LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott and Christina Aguilera, among others. In 2004, he achieved success as the co-producer alongside Eminem of Lloyd Banks' smash hit "On Fire", and again the following year as the producer of Will Smith's single "Switch".
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
- 1989: The Boy Genius
- 1994: Incognito
Collaborative albums[]
- 1990: A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure (with A New Beginning)
- 1992: Nastee (with A New Beginning)