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REBEL
(Formerly of the group Diamonds in da Ruff on Roc-a-Fella/Tommy Boy Records)


REBEL is an artist in the truest form, unfazed by the growing need to define rappers by cookie cutter molds based on street credibility or flashy club lifestyle. By definition a rebel is an individual who refuses to follow a crowd that forces you to think the same way they do. A true rebel knows who they are and does not compromise their individuality or personal opinion for anyone. They’re straight forward and honest and will sure as hell tell it like it is. REBEL is that individual. There is no one emotion or lifestyle that dictates who he is. His music isn’t image driven but rather a mirror of his life, so the result is material that is riddled with complexity and unpredictability, and grounded in his ideals and the situation of the moment.

Just one listen to REBEL’s music and you’ll be captivated by his catchy and melodic hooks. His light but aggressive voice teamed with a sort of groovy flow that fluctuates with the beat, makes up a sound that is uncanny in comparison to any other artist (major or independent) in music today.

Equally intriguing is his refreshingly honest look into his real person. His music is best described as visual or reality rap. His lyrics take you on an easily visualized journey and touch-on the honest aspects of street life (guns and drugs) without glorifying or harping on them in a need to portray himself as a tough guy. He has a street credibility that has been earned over the years, but is not the basis for his music. His music simply chronicles his life’s ups and downs, allowing people on all levels to see a bit of themselves in his words. His work is motivated by his honest love for the music, his high level or personal confidence and his life motto of “get it if you want it.”

In addition to being a natural born talent with an intoxicating personality, his introduction into the music industry at a young age has made him a force to be reckoned with. In a time where artist development has all but been erased REBEL (solo now, after years in the group Diamonds in da Ruff) comes energized and hungry, but armed with the hard lessons already learned and corrected. He has performed in countless venues across the country, from intimate clubs to large arenas. He has flawlessly finessed his way through press interviews, learned to capitalize on the industry relationships he builds and purged himself of the need to indulge in the seemingly carefree days of life on the road that get so many rappers caught up. He has surrounded himself with an incredible team of people including top producers Ski (Jay-Z, Camp-Lo) and Charlemagne (Jay-Z, Cam’ron, Talib Kweli) and talented newcomers Equinox and E-Nock. He’s focused on the business of music, confident in his hit making ability and ready to work his way to the top of the game.

Born and raised in the streets of Harlem, NY and rapping since the age of 10, REBEL formed the group Diamonds in da Ruff (a.k.a D.I.D.R) in 1996 with fellow Harlem rapper Chink.

A year later, REBEL and his partner caught the attention of Roc-a-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash and were offered a single deal to solidify their place on the Roc-a-Fella roster. During the time Dame had them in the studio they recorded the hit single We Need the Doe, and off the strength of that single, were offered a single deal by Def Jam Records to secure the song’s placement on the Streets is Watching soundtrack.

By April 1998, D.I.D.R was on the road doing shows and gaining an instant following. Headlining shows for capacity crowds in cities everywhere from Denver and Texas to New York and Boston. REBEL and his partner even opened for Jay-Z numerous times, including sold-out shows at the MCI Center in DC and the Hampton Coliseum in VA.

D.I.D.R’s presence continued to grow as their single Respect appeared on the Hard Knock Life Volume 2 bonus CD and the Black Mask Soundtrack featured their song Life Ain’t Nothing but War. In early 1999, the duo was offered an album deal by Def Jam Records but passed in favor of signing a more lucrative deal with Tommy Boy Records, and in the following two years REBEL would see his dreams fulfilled and broken all in one foul swoop. D.I.D.R’s debut album Walk in My Shoes was mixed, mastered and ready for its summer 1999 release date, the snippet tapes and promotional materials had been created and the single Fire One was being shipped to stores. Jay-Z’s Hard Knock Life Tour was going to jump-start the promotional blitz. Everything was set and just as quickly as it began it came to a crashing halt when due to poor management the group missed the tour and the promotional campaign fell through.

After missing the Hard Knock Life tour REBEL and his partner were left to rely on Tommy Boy to push Fire One, but despite a 20 week run on college radio Tommy Boy couldn’t produce and in 2000 D.I.D.R left the label. A year later they left Roc-A-Fella Records after realizing that by missing the tour they no longer had a prominent roster spot.

Having learned a great deal about the business side of the music industry, as well as making solid connections, REBEL took his knowledge, determination and talent and decided to make a name for himself as a solo artist. In 2002, he formed S.I.B Entertainment as an umbrella company for himself and new members of his crew. S.I.B (Seeing is Believing) is a movement based upon proving yourself with actions instead of words. No talking, just living it. A visual movement here to show the world a group of young dudes unified on a money run and captivating people with their talents.

Collaborating with his fellow S.I.B members, REBEL released the independently recorded and distributed mix-tape WSIB-Radio and with no promotion sold 1,500 copies. In 2004, he followed with an 18 track CD hosted by Damon Dash entitled Throwback Makeover Vol.1, which sold an impressive 5,000 solely by word of mouth.

REBEL’s current CD We Still Need the Doe 2006 is what he considers his buzz CD and official introduction to the world as a solo artist. REBEL chose the name because he wanted to pick up where his story first started and advance it to a fresh ground that reflects his new mind state. His predicament is still the same in that he still needs that doe, but his outlook on life is more focused.

It was originally about getting money for material gain. He was rapping about Cristal and Moe, fly whips and clothes, while now it’s about real life goals. His music speaks on his ideals. It’s more family oriented. More introspective. It’s his grown man mission.

When asked what motivates him in his quest for greatness, REBEL will tell you “I want to finish what I started. I want to see it through to the end so I’m not left with any regrets. I also want to know that I was able to see out my dream without sacrificing my integrity. To know that I spoke my mind and never swayed from my beliefs on any subject no matter how trivial or controversial. That I gave the people what I had to offer and that they accepted me for who I am and not some cooked up image deigned to sell records. My motto for 2006 is ‘get it if you want it’ and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.”

In addition to his music credits, REBEL can be seen in Jay-Z’s Streets is Watching as well as the big screen release State Property.

Contact info: Rebelmania@gmail.com


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