BIO
C.R.I.$.I.$ or Crisis Mr. Swagger is Zambia's premiere Hip-Hop artist with the fastest growing International presence.
PRESENT TIME:
C.R.I.$.I.$ is working on a new album titled 'B.I.G (Business is Good).' It is part of a major plan as the artist moves to another level in his career. The album boasts high powered production from Canada's Bos Beats on the song MAKE THE CROWD GO. It also has production by fast rising US producer Youg Fyre. Fyre has also recently produced a song called HOW TO HATE for Lil Wayne and was in charge of production for T-Pain's PreVolver Mixtape. The album also includes production from C.R.I.$.I.$.
The album track listing has not been finalized but, Houstin rapper Lil Flip is confirmed to make an appearnce on a song calledSINCE YOU HATE ME. The song has been officially released and is available on iTunes and other online stores.
C.R.I.$.I.$ is currently nominated for the Channel-O Music Video Award in the category for MOST GIFTED AFRICAN SOUTHERN VIDEO. His song 'The Fire Inside - Produced by Bos Beats and Young Fyre' will be competing with some of the best acts out of Southern Africa. Voting closes on the 27th of October, 2011.
To vote for C.R.I.$.I.$., simply click here> VOTE
2011 - Winner BEFFTA Award for BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: In February, 2011 he was nominated for the Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television Arts Award (BEFFTA). He faced stiff competition as he was competing against M.I (Nigeria), 2 Face (Nigeria), Ali Kiba (Tanzania) and Faly Ipupa (Congo DR). Based on a global vote, the BEFFTA Award for BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT was given to C.R.I.$.I.$.
2010 - Born N Bred Award for MOST CONSISTENT ZAMBIAN ARTIST:
This was an honorary award given to him by Zambian TV show called Born N Bred which showcases some of the best music video's in his home country, Zambia.
2010 - Shared the stage with Akon and Sean Paul in Harare Zimbabwe. It was a successful show with an attandance of 48, 000 people as the Harare National Sports Stadium was almost filled to capacity
2010 - Performed at an MTV Event during the FIFA 2011 World Cup in South Africa sharing the stage with Liquid Deep & Zulu Boy
2006- WINNER-Brath Award. Best Zambian Hip-Hop artist.
INTRODUCTION
C.R.I.$.I.$. aka Crisis Mr. Swagger is a Zambian born Hip-Hop Artist/Producer/CEO of his own independent music label called Diamond Chain Services in Lusaka, Zambia, Africa.
35,000+ CD's and Cassettes sold in Lusaka alone, C.R.I.$.I.$.’s album Officer in Charge (released January 2005). First hip-hop record, produced and released in Zambia by a Zambian artist. Second album, The Diamond Chain Mixtape reached another milestone by becoming the first Zambian Mixtape to be released commercially in Zambia. 2008-Released the album called, ‘Designer.’ C.R.I.$.I.$. isn’t showing signs of stopping as he continues to venture out of Zambia and into the international Hip-Hop market. The artist is currently working on the release of his highly anticipated album, “Mr. Swagger.”
BEGINNINGS
C.R.I.$.I.$ grew up listening to Zambian Kalindula Music, Zamrock, Soul, Rock N' Roll and Reggae. At Age 10 began his hip-hop obsession. After hearing “The Message” by Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five, C.R.I.$.I.$. decided that Hip-Hop was going to be his Bread and Butter. it was this track that inspired him to begin rapping.
EARLY INFLUENCES
Big Daddy Kane, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Kool G. Rap, Boogie Down Productions, NWA, LL Cool J, Ice-T, Michael Jackson and Dr. Dre.
C.R.I.$.I.$. believes he can add and bring a different taste to the music industry as he is a product of all his influences.
EDUCATION
College - Dropped out of the Institute for Management of Information Systems (IMIS) at the Zambia Insurance Business College Trust (ZIBC) in Lusaka, Zambia.
CAREER
1999 - Mondo Music Corporation. Made his professional debut release on compilation called “The Rhythm Nation Project (Yo-Yamba).” His song, ‘The City’ was rated as the best written song on the compilation. 2000-Left Mondo to pursue his music career independently.
2000 - Featured on a compilation called “Harambe Dope Sessions” licensed to South Africa’s DIY Records along with other artists such as Hoodlum, Cashless Society, Mizchief and many more.
ON THE RISE
2001 - Auditioned for modeling job and became the face of Mosi Lager, a brew produced by South African Breweries & marketed throughout Africa. Appeared on billboards, television ads and all of their print and electronic media.
2002-2004 - The Voice of America, a radio and television station based in Washington DC, appointed him as the coordinator of their Hip-Hop Connection Fan Club.
IN THE KNOW
2004 - He dared to enter a rap battle that aired live on South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Losing to South African rapper Snazz from Cashless Society for a controversial third place spot.
C.R.I.$.I.$. gained the recognition he needed to continue to pursue his hip-hop career. With his rising fame inZambia, signed a deal with a local distribution company, Solid Rhythmz and together, they released his hit album “Officer in Charge” making him the first Zambian to release a Hip-Hop album in that country.
With such success and a significant achievement for Zambia’s Hip-Hop industry, he quickly gained recognition across seas. He signed on with an artist management team called Clavel Inc.
March 2005 - Featured in Future Music Magazine in a review written by Tim Oliver and two months later, became the first Zambian invited to perform at the Channel-O Video Music Awards.
Inspired by his aunt who was suffering from cancer, in 2006 C.R.I.$.I.$. helped raise funds for the Breast Cancer Trust (BCT) foundation by holding a benefit gig at Lusaka’s Club Phoenix. The show was a success and according to the BCT (Break through Cancer Trust), he was the first musician to ever take this step in response to their cause.
GOING INTERNATIONAL
2007 - Was a big year for C.R.I.$.I.$. Featured in the UK’s Computer Music Magazine: issue 112 (May 2007), receiving great song review by industry insider Ronan MacDonald. Same year, appeared on mixtape by Jay-Z’s disc jockey, DJ Green Lantern, entitled MySpace Monster Mash. Later appeared on 2007 mixtape by British disc jockey, DJ Ames, called US-UK Takeover which also featured other artists such as Craig David, Lil’ Wayne & many more.
Performed at numerous events including the Oxjam, organized by charity organization, Oxfam. It is one of the UK’s biggest charity events aimed at ending poverty in developing countries.
2008 - C.R.I.$.I.$. returned to Zambia in 2008 and began working on his second album, “Designer,” released in March 2008.
2009 - Released the highly successful 'Mr. Swagger' album. The title of this LP caused the artist to call himself 'Mr. Swagger' as people could not resist calling him by this name. The album features hit songs such as Electric Boogie, Play On, Connected and Lights, Camera, Action.
He is also involved in work by the International Labor Organization (I.LO.) along with the International Organization for Migration (I.O.M.) and the United Nations (U.N.). These organizations have teamed up and developed an anti human trafficking song on which C.R.I.$.I.$. is one of the key voices and has been quoted in the United Nations monthly journal. The song is called 'Break The Chain' and it's available on Youtube.
The rapper has also been recently appointed as The Ambassador for Peace by The Universal Peace Federation (UPF).
IN THE WORKS
He is working on a new album titled 'B.I.G (Business is Good).' It is part of a major plan as the artist moves to another level in his career.
C.R.I.$.I.$. aka Mr. Swagger is currently standing at number 1 on the Reverbnation National Hip-Hop Charts for Zambia as he grows an internationla presence. The rapper will cross the African continent and take the world country one by one... but only because the laws of Physics cannot allow an individual to be in two places at the same time.
Number 1. Reverbnation Local Hip-Hop Charts
With his own label now, the artist is developing careers for up and coming musicians. Musicians under the Diamond Chain stable include, Ray Gramz, D-Roots, Jon Woo, Profyle, Nick Pro and AD.
Not one to be left behind as world trends evolve, you can communicate and get feedback from C.R.I.$.I.$ by joining his Facebook Fan Club
He is also on Social Network Twitter @hiphopcrisis
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