Ozols (rapper)

Ģirts Rozentāls (born July 21, 1979), better known by his stage name Ozols (in Latvian – oak) is a Latvian rapper, writer, record producer and entrepreneur from Riga.[1] His musical career began in 1995, with the first hip hop group in Latvia called FACT.

Ozols
Birth nameĢirts Rozentāls
Also known as
  • Ozols
Born (1979-07-21) July 21, 1979
Riga, Latvian SSR
OriginRīga
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • rapper
  • writer
  • record producer
  • entrepreneur
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1995–present

Music career

Ozols is regarded as one of the founders of hip hop music in Latvia in the mid-1990s. After spending six years in a hip hop group called FACT where he wrote songs together with Gustavo and Čižiks,[2] he started his solo career at the beginning of the 2000s with his debut single "Neko 2005" (2000), followed by his debut album Cieņa un mīlestība (2001; Respect and Love). His appearance using shiny accessories, baggy clothes, and a "gangster image" was a shock to local musicians and listeners at the time.[3] In 2009 Platforma Music label released Ozols' 19-track album Neatkarība (Independence) featuring Nātre, Rays, Kurts, Pikaso, A.G., b-ūš and New York rapper Afu-ra.[4]

In 2015, after a few years of silence, Ozols returned to the Latvian music scene with his fifth studio album Atpakaļ nākotnē (Back to the Future).[5]

On November 12, 2018, Ozols released his sixth studio album Neona pilsēta (Neon City).[6]

During his career, Ozols has performed in the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, reached the status of the "Golden disc" with the album Cieņa un mīlestība,[7] and received the Latvian Music Records Annual Award four times.

Business career

In 2014, Ozols founded the clothing shop "Hoodshop," which sells clothes, shoes books and vinyl records. Earlier, the musician owned the shop "Street shop."[8]

Personal life

In 2016, he married "Promoart.lv" artist Eva Rozentāle (née Poņemecka).[9] He has a daughter named Naomi from a previous relationship.[10]

Discography

Singles
  • "Neko 2005" (2000)
  • "O.Z.O.L.S" (2001)
  • "OzRaps/O'79" (2002)
  • "Mirāža" (2012)
  • "Piemēri" (2013)
  • "Sapņotājs" (2013)
  • "Ilgojos" (2014)
  • "Superhaips" (2015)
  • "Situācijas" (ft. Edavārdi) (2016)
  • "Laika kapsula" (2016)
  • "Pasaule" (ft. Tehnikums) (2017)
  • "Personības rekords" (2018)
  • "Stils" (2018)
  • "Zapte" (2019)
  • "Levitē" (2019)

Albums
  • "Cieņa un mīlestība" (2001)
  • "Augstāk, tālāk, stiprāk" (2002)
  • "Dūzis" (2003)
  • "Neatkarība" (2009)
  • "Cieņa un mīlestība" (2015)
  • "Atpakaļ nākotnē" (2015)
  • "Semestris" ft. Tehnikums (2017)
  • "Neona Pilsēta" (2018)

Annual Latvian Music Recording Awards

Nominations
  • "Salauzta sirds" ft. Dons (song of the year 2019)[11]
  • "Semestris" ft. Tehnikums (best hip hop album 2018)
  • "Tu vari tēlot" ft. Tehnikums (best music video 2018)
  • "Situācijas" ft. Edavārdi (best music video 2017)
  • "Atpakaļ nākotnē" (best music video 2016)

Received awards
  • "Neona pilsētas" (best hip hop album 2019)
  • "Salauzta sirds" ft. Dons (best radio hit 2019)[11]
  • "Salauzta sirds" ft. Dons (best song 2019)[11]
  • "Atpakaļ nākotnē" (best hip hop album 2016)

References
  1. Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn; Fonseca, Anthony J. (December 1, 2018). Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313357596.
  2. "Video no 90tajiem! 19 gadīgs reperis Ozols stāsta par karjeras sākumu". parmuziku.lv (in Latvian). July 21, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  3. "Hiphoperis Ozols publicē dziesmu izlasi, gatavojoties jauna albuma izdošanai" (in Latvian). Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs. September 9, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  4. Strautmanis, Andris (March 21, 2009). "Rapper Ozols releases new album". Latvians Online. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  5. "Ozols sācis levitēt". parmuziku.lv (in Latvian). January 30, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  6. "Hiphopa izpildītājs Ozols laidis klajā videoversiju dziesmai "Levitē"" (in Latvian). Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  7. "Ozols spēlē arī basketbolu" (in Latvian). Delfi. August 4, 2001. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  8. Glumane, Monta (June 6, 2018). "Reperis Ozols – mūziķis, kas tirgo arī retro apavus". Dienas Bizness (in Latvian). Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  9. Sergejeva, Sandra (May 24, 2016). "VAKARA ZIŅAS: Ozols pošas kāzām!". nra.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  10. Rudaks, Uldis (March 12, 2016). "Ko redzi, to havā. Ozols ir atgriezies". Diena. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  11. "Instrumenti scoop major Latvian music award". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. February 14, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
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