R. Prophet

In 1997, while attending Western Kentucky University, R. Prophet joined Skinny DeVille, B. Stille, Ron Clutch, Big V and Fish Scales to complete Nappy Roots, an American alternative Southern rap group. Nappy Roots began recording at ET's Music, a record store/studio. They released a full-length debut titled "Country Fried Cess" in 1998. This independent effort caught the attention of several major labels, and the group later signed to Atlantic Records in 1999.

The group's first album released on Atlantic was 2002's "Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz". The album includes the singles "Headz Up", "Awnaw" and Grammy nominated "Po' Folks" featuring Anthony Hamilton. The song's signature concept, verse, and chorus was written by R. Prophet. Discussing the meaning of "Po' Folks," R. Prophet told MTV.com that the lyrics did not only speak of being poor as an economic issue. "It's a state of mind. It's not so bad being poor when you've got your family and God in your life and you have different values that, when it comes down to it, matter. A lot of other things really don't matter when God is knocking at your door." Po' Folks later went on to be awarded a BMI publishing award in 2002.

In 2003, R. Prophet and the group garnered several award nominations, including American Music Award nominations for Favorite New Artist and Favorite Band, Duo or Group in the Hip-Hop/R&B category. Nappy Roots was also nominated for Grammy awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Po' Folks" and Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video for their DVD "The World According to Nappy."

Also in 2003, R. Prophet was among a group of celebrities and professional athletes who participated in USO Project Salute 2003, a tour that made stops throughout the Persian Gulf including Iraq. "This was an experience of a lifetime, being in an actual war zone, it's something I will never forget", remembers R. Prophet, of the USO tour. Nappy Roots was among the top groups requested to be a part of USO tour. Soon after, their third album Wooden Leather followed in the latter part of 2003, which featured the hit song "Round the Globe" and featured production from Kanye West, David Banner, and Lil Jon. In 2004, R. Prophet worked with his group on the three songs for the soundtrack of the film The Ladykillers by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen.

In 2007, R. Prophet went on to pursue his solo career, traveling to Houston, Texas to record his first single, "Run Tell The DJ To Crank it" with former Cash Money producer Mannie Fresh. R. Prophet performed on-stage with the likes of Nelly, Ludacris, T.I., Young Buck, and Yung Joc. In 2008, R. Prophet was featured in Hilary Duff's single "Reach Out" from her album, "Best of Hilary Duff". However, he was not officially credited for this.

On April 20, 2013, Prophet was beaten, tased and arrested by Kentucky State Police, who told TMZ he was highly intoxicated, walked directly into traffic and was a danger to himself and others.[2] He said it was "definitely racial profiling" while the police said he resisted arrest and kicked out the back window of a police car.[3] In his 2020 autobiography, he writes that the grand jury found "no true bill," so the charges against him were dismissed.[1]

On July 22, 2015, R. Prophet appeared as a potential "catfish" victim on Season 4, Episode 13, of MTV's Catfish: The TV Show. The title of the episode is "Prophet & Trinity." Trinity pretended to be model Jasmine Sanders.[4] In 2020, He published his autobiography, Grams To Grammys: How Ryan Prophet went from Selling Grams to being Nominated for the Grammys.[1]

• "Nappy Roots Aim To Nourish Kentucky-Style With Water-melon, Chicken & Gritz," MTV.com, (October 31, 2003).
• "Nappy Roots". Atlantic Records. October 31, 2003.
• "Nappy Roots: Bio," MTV.com, (October 31, 2003).
• "Nappy Roots Dig Deep". RollingStone.com, (October 31, 2003).
• "Nappy Roots Eat Humble Pie, Go Low-Budget For 'Po' Folks'" MTV.com (October 31, 2003).
• "Nappy Roots melds urban and country sounds". The Cincinnati Enquirer. (November 19, 2003).
• "Nappy Roots Out To Show They're Not Just Country Boys". MTV.com, (October 31, 2003).
• "Nappy Roots serve up another slice of goodness". The University of Wisconsin Badger Herald, (November 19, 2003).
• "Muhammad Ali Board & Advisory". (past)
• "Kentucky Governor Declares Sept. 16th "Nappy Roots Day": Group Named Newest "Kentucky Colonels". "THE WORLD ACCORDING TO NAPPY" DVD Out This Week" Business Wire. FindArticles.com. (September 16, 2002).