Damani Nkosi

Damani Nkosi is an American rapper. Nkosi has worked with well-known artists including Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz,[1] Snoop Dogg, Pusha T and Malice of Clipse.[2]

Damani Nkosi
Born
Damani Nkosi Washington

Inglewood, California, U.S.
OccupationRapper
Years active1999-present

Early life

Nkosi was brought up in Inglewood, California.[1] His father chose an African name for him. "Damani" means "be famous" and "Nkosi" means "Chief, ruler or king".[3] He became part of Los Angeles' hip-hop underground.[1]

Career

Nkosi recorded his first track in 1999.[4] In 2001, Nkosi was featured on Kurupt's album Space Boogie: Smoke Odyssey.[5][6][7] He released "Move", a track featuring Pusha T and Malice in 2002. The song was featured on hip-hop radio mixshows in Los Angeles including 92.3 FM, The Beat.[8] In 2002, he released the mixtape The Street Album.[1][8]

Nkosi released Congratulations Player, a mixtape featuring the song "Gotta Stay Paid" in 2006. The song was featured on The Beat as well as Power 106. Later that year, he signed with Sony Urban Music under My Block Entertainment.[8][7] In 2007, Nkosi appeared on the television series Monk.[9] Nkosi formed the group Dubb Union (originally called Westurn Union) with Bad Lucc and producer Soopafly. Snoop Dogg signed the group under Doggystyle Records. The group toured with Snoop Dogg and released Snoop Dogg Presents: Dubb Union in 2008.[8][7]

In 2009, Nkosi partnered with Adidas on its off-the-court EQT Campaign, which surrounded the relaunch of the EQT B-Ball Low. The limited edition shoes created included part of Nkosi's logo and the words "Congratulations Player" on the heel. He recorded "My Adidas" as part of the campaign.[10][11][12] In 2010, Nkosi released a single and video, "Here Comes Damani" featuring Snoop Dogg.[8][7]

Nkosi released the album On Vacation From Vacation in 2010.[5] The album featured Snoop Dogg, Crooked I, Mitchy Slick, Short Khop and Daz.[13] In 2012, Nkosi left his previous record labels, took a hiatus to travel internationally.[2][14][15] He went to China as part of a shoe design deal and was influenced by the economic gap between the rich and the poor.[15]

Nkosi produced a single, "Now That's Love" featuring Robert Glasper and Musiq Soulchild in 2014 produced by Warryn Campbell. "Now That's Love" was the first single from his album Thoughtful King. The album included other featured artists such as PJ Morton, and BJ the Chicago Kid.[1][2][4]

In 2015, he produced the single "Stay Black" featuring Preston Harris, Ill Camille and Aneesa Strings.[16] Nkosi appeared in the documentary "Manchild: The Schea Cotton Story" in 2016.[17]

Discography
Year Title Type
1999 Space Boogie: Smoke Odyssey Featured on album
2002 The Street Album Mixtape
2002 "Move" Single
2004 Jackin 4 DJ's Vol. 1 Mixtape
2004 Execution Style Vol. 1: Shots Fired Featured on album
2005 Jackin 4 DJ's Vl. 2 Mixtape (Westurn Union)
2006 Congratulations Player Mixtape
2006 Blue Carpet Treatment Featured on album
2007 House Shoe Music, DJ Crazy Toons Mixtape (Westurn Union)
2008 Snoop Dogg Presents: Dubb Union Album with Dubb Union
2009 Adidas Congratulations Player Mixtape
2009 Malice n Wonderland Featured on album
2010 On Vacation From Vacation Concept album
2014 Thoughtful King Album
2015 Stay Black Single

References
  1. Wendy Geller (March 6, 2014). "Rapper Damani Nkosi Pairs With Musiq Soulchild for New Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  2. Justin Dwayne Joseph (March 5, 2014). "Damani Nkosi Ft. Musiq Soulchild & Robert Glasper - 'Now That's Love'". Centric TV. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  3. "Damani Nkosi: Hip-Hop With No Boundaries". The Hype Magazine. August 1, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  4. India Brown (July 3, 2014). "Interview: Damani Nkosi". GrungeCake. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  5. Omar Burgess (June 2, 2014). "Damani Nkosi - Thoughtful King". HipHop DX. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  6. Yohance Kyles (May 5, 2014). "Damani Nkosi Takes Listeners From Cali To Every Corner Of The Globe On "Thoughtful King"". All HipHop. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  7. Tim Sanchez (June 3, 2014). "Damani Nkosi Flips His Whole Script". LA Weekly. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  8. Shamika Sanders (March 13, 2014). "Damani Nkosi: The Thoughtful King". This is 50. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  9. "Damani Washington". IMDb. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  10. Ronnie Gamble (February 11, 2009). "L.A. Rapper Damani Teams Up With Adidas For Limited Shoe". Baller Status. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  11. Chris O'Leary (20 February 2009). "Adidas: You Damani". Slam. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  12. Brian Betschart (February 20, 2009). "adidas EQT B-Ball Low x Damani". Sneaker Files. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  13. "Damani Nkosi "Thoughtful King" In Stores, "On My Way To Inglewood" Video". DubCNN. July 1, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  14. "Take A Trip to Paris in Damani Nkosi's "Now That's Love"". The Source. March 5, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  15. Soren Baker (May 23, 2014). "Damani Nkosi Is Finally the Rapper He Wanted to Be". Red Bull. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  16. Raj Anand (February 15, 2015). "Listen To Damani Nkosi's 'Stay Black' Ft. iLL Camille, Preston Harris, And Aneesa Strings". UpRoxx. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  17. "Damani Nkosi". IMDb. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
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