Dwight Grant also known as
Beanie Sigel, is a
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper from
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
,most recently he was in talks with
50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
to sign with
G-Unit RecordsG-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and
Roc-A-Fella RecordsRoc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
where he had formed a close association with rappers
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
,
FreewayLeslie Edward Pridgen , better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery and for the long beard he keeps due to his Muslim faith...
and other former and current artists on the
Roc-A-Fella rosterRoc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
. His stage name comes from a street in South Philadelphia, the rapper's former stomping grounds where he worked alongside Senior Durham in the projects. He has sold more than two million albums worldwide. He decided to end his career in middle 2010 when he made his last song, "I Go Off" with
50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
who had signed Grant to his
G-Unit RecordsG-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
label in 2009, in early 2011 Grant appeared in
Travis BarkerTravis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
album Give the Drummer Some, saying that it was the end of his career. In May 31, 2011 Grant apologized to his former boss
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
. But in an interview with
DJ Green LanternJames D'Agostino , better known by his stage name DJ Green Lantern, is an American-Italian-Puerto Rican DJ and hip hop music producer from Rochester, New York. In 2002, D'Agostino was signed by Eminem to become the official DJ for Shady Records after DJ Head stepped down for undisclosed reasons...
, he said that he had never "apologized" to Jay-Z, and that he was still making music.
State Property (2002–2003)
In 2002, Sigel and much of the Roc roster starred in a Dame Dash-produced movie entitled
State Property. Its release coincided with the creation and promotion of
State PropertyState Property is a rap group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA led by rapper Beanie Sigel with Philly rappers Freeway, Peedi Peedi, Oschino, and Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz and female R&B singer Casha...
, a group of artists signed to Roc-A-Fella that hailed from Philadelphia and organized by Sigel and Freeway. Its members included Peedi Crakk, the
Young GunzThe Young Gunz is an American rap duo from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania composed of Young Chris and Neef Buck . The group is part of Beanie Sigel's State Property collective and was signed to Roc-A-Fella Records...
Chris,Neef, Oschino and Omilio Sparks. Their first collaboration was for the movie's soundtrack, an eponymous release that featured the original "Roc the Mic" by Sigel and Freeway. They followed up with 2003's
The Chain Gang Vol. 2The Chain Gang Vol. 2 is the second album by rap group State Property. It was released in 2003. Young Gunz' "Can't Stop Won't Stop" was later nominated for the 2003 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy Award.The album sold 296,000 units...
, featuring the single "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" by the Young Gunz; the record was nominated for a
Grammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group.
The B. Coming (2005)
In 2005 Sigel finished his 3rd album,
The B. ComingThe B. Coming is the third studio album by rapper Beanie Sigel, released by Dame Dash Music Group on March 29, 2005. The album contains 15 songs. Special guests include Freeway, Redman, Snoop Dogg, Bun B, Jay-Z, Cam'ron, and others...
, and shot multiple videos, directed by Joe Briscella, before he had to serve a year long prison sentence for a 2004 weapons and drug possession arrest. During this time, Jay-Z ascended to the Presidency of Def Jam Records, causing former business partners Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke to split off and form the
Dame Dash Music Group. Sigel's
B. Coming was released on DDMG and Def Jam rather than Roc-A-Fella, but contained production from a slew of Roc/Jay-Z-affiliated producers including Chad West,
The NeptunesThe Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
, Just Blaze, Boola and
BuckwildBuckwild is a Hip hop producer hailing from The Bronx, New York. Originally a DJ, Buck began producing after meeting MC/Producer Lord Finesse. He later joined Finesse's super-crew D.I.T.C., along with Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, and the late Big L and brought O.C. with him...
. Artists from both sides of the split were present on the record, from State Property members to
Cam'ronCameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
and
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
; the record spawned Sigel a hit with "Feel it in the Air," sold 131,000 copies in its first week.
Advertising his friendship with the incarcerated Beanie, Dash publicly claimed the artist was leaving the roster with him; during the sentence, State Property was thrown into turmoil, eventually choosing to remain at Roc-A-Fella—apparently against Sigel's wishes. Upon his release, Beanie called the loyalty of his group into question and stated that he was signing with Dame and Biggs courtesy of a stronger casual relationship with the pair than with Jay-Z:
Soon after, he clarified his comments, saying he simply didn't want to be involved in the conflict and electing to re-open talks with Roc-A-Fella instead of moving to DDMG.
The Solution (2006–2007)
In 2006 Sigel resigned with
Roc-A-Fella RecordsRoc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
& started to recording for his fourth studio album
The Solution. On October 29, 2007 Sigel released the first single off
The Solution entitled "All The Above" which featured
R. KellyRobert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
it debuted on the
U.S. R&B chartsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
at #83. On May 22, 2007 Sigel released
The Solution it debuted on the
Billboard chartsThe Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
at #37.
The Classic (2009–Present)
In 2009 after finally getting out of his contracts with Roc-A-Fella & Def Jam. Beanie Sigel released his first Independent album
The Broad Street BullyThe Broad Street Bully is the fifth studio album by rapper Beanie Sigel. It was released on September 1, 2009 without promotion, just a video for the song "The Ghetto". The album was on the Billboard 200 charts for 2 weeks...
. In 2010 Sigel announced he was working on his fifth studio album entitled
The Closure which was to be released from
Universal RepublicUniversal Republic Records is a record label, owned by Universal Music Group. It is based on the now-defunct Republic Records label founded by brothers Monte and Avery Lipman...
and
G-Unit RecordsG-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
. But on May 31, 2011 Sigel cancelled the album & retired from the music industry. But just after two weeks he later returned and started working on the album again. He then also renamed the album as
The Classic.In 2011 Sigel signed with
50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
's subsidiary label
G-Unit PhillyG-Unit Records Philly is an independent record label that is a subsidiary of 50 Cent's G-Unit Records. G-Unit artist, Tony Yayo was granted the positions of CEO and President of the label...
and renewed his contract with
G-Unit RecordsG-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
from 2009. On July 13, 2011 Sigel released his first single from the album entitled "B-Boy Stance".
Acting career
Beanie Sigel first appeared in the documentary "
BackstageBackstage is a 2000 documentary film directed by Chris Fiore, chronicling the 1999 Hard Knock Life tour that featured several of hip hops top acts including Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man and Redman...
" but his first main role was in the hood movie
State PropertyState Property is a 2002 American crime film starring Beanie Sigel, Omillio Sparks, Memphis Bleek and Damon Dash. Rapper Jay-Z appears in a cameo role. It was produced by Roc-A-Fella Films and distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment. Abdul Malik Abbott directed the film and co-wrote its screenplay...
which spawned a sequel "
State Property 2State Property 2 is a 2005 American crime film directed by Damon Dash and produced and distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment. A sequel to 2002's State Property, the film stars rap artists and other musicians such as Cam'ron, The Diplomats, Beanie Sigel, N.O.R.E., Kanye West, Mariah Carey and...
". Sigel released a DVD shortly after his third solo release "
The B. ComingThe B. Coming is the third studio album by rapper Beanie Sigel, released by Dame Dash Music Group on March 29, 2005. The album contains 15 songs. Special guests include Freeway, Redman, Snoop Dogg, Bun B, Jay-Z, Cam'ron, and others...
" entitled "The B. Coming of Beanie Sigel"in the year of 2005. Sigel also auditioned for the lead role of the 2009 film "
NotoriousNotorious is a 2009 American biographical film about the life of iconic hip hop star The Notorious B.I.G. who is played by Jamal Woolard. The film co-stars Angela Bassett as his mother Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke as Sean Combs, and Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur...
"
Beanie Sigel also appeared in the 2011 film
Rhyme and Punishment a documentary about Hip-Hop artist who have served time in county jail or state/federal prison. The film features an interview with Beanie Sigel where he discusses his conviction and life in prison.
Jadakiss
The new millennium also saw various Roc artists, including Sigel, engage in a conflict with artists from
Ruff RydersRuff Ryders Entertainment is a record label founded by brothers Darrin "Dee" Dean and Joaquin "Waah" Dean, uncles of producer Swizz Beatz. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Fontana Distribution.The label is currently active as Ruff Ryders...
. Beanie was a forerunner of the beef, publicly decrying
JadakissJason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
, the rest of the L.O.X. and
DMXEarl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
. While Sigel and Jadakiss both denied any violent intent, they continued to send shots back and forth until Beanie put out a freestyle over Jada's hit "Put Ya Hands Up".
Friendship with Scarface
Conversely, Sigel cultivated a friendship with southern rapper
ScarfaceBrad Terrence Jordan , better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper, and recording artist from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston.-Life and career:...
. Having first appeared together on "This Can't Be Life" with Jay-Z from
Dynasty, the two would go on to collaborate on Sigel's first two records, Scarface's
The FixIn 2009, Pitchfork Media ranked the album at #185 on their Top 200 Albums of the 2000s list.-Track listing:-Samples:Safe*"I've Got Nothing to Lose But the Blues" by Gwen McCraeIn Cold Blood*"And This is Love" by Gladys Knight & The Pips...
, and later on Sigel's 2007 album
The Solution.
Legal issues
In 2004, Sigel was found guilty of federal weapons charges and sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison. In 2010, Sigel was charged with three counts of failing to file income tax returns between 2003–2005 on earnings of over $9.2 million.
Discography
Studio albums
- 2000: The Truth
The Truth is the debut album by rapper Beanie Sigel. It was released on February 29, 2000 to positive critical and commercial success. It reached Number 5 on The Billboard 200 and had three charting remotely popular singles: "Anything", "Remember Them Days" and "The Truth," which samples Chicago by...
- 2001: The Reason
- 2005: The B. Coming
The B. Coming is the third studio album by rapper Beanie Sigel, released by Dame Dash Music Group on March 29, 2005. The album contains 15 songs. Special guests include Freeway, Redman, Snoop Dogg, Bun B, Jay-Z, Cam'ron, and others...
- 2007: The Solution
- TBA: The Classic
Independent albums
- 2009: The Broad Street Bully
The Broad Street Bully is the fifth studio album by rapper Beanie Sigel. It was released on September 1, 2009 without promotion, just a video for the song "The Ghetto". The album was on the Billboard 200 charts for 2 weeks...
Collaboration albums
- 2002: State Property OST
State Property is the soundtrack to the 2002 film, State Property, and the debut album by the rap group, State Property. The album was a success, making it to 14 on the Billboard 200, 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and 2 on the Top Soundtracks, and spawned one single "Roc the Mic", which was a...
(with State PropertyState Property is a rap group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA led by rapper Beanie Sigel with Philly rappers Freeway, Peedi Peedi, Oschino, and Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz and female R&B singer Casha...
)
- 2003: The Chain Gang Vol. 2
The Chain Gang Vol. 2 is the second album by rap group State Property. It was released in 2003. Young Gunz' "Can't Stop Won't Stop" was later nominated for the 2003 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy Award.The album sold 296,000 units...
(with State PropertyState Property is a rap group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA led by rapper Beanie Sigel with Philly rappers Freeway, Peedi Peedi, Oschino, and Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz and female R&B singer Casha...
)
- 2010: The Roc Boys
The Roc Boys is a collaboration album by State Property members Beanie Sigel and Freeway.-Guest Appearances:Many of the appearances come from Young Chris and other State Property members...
(with FreewayLeslie Edward Pridgen , better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery and for the long beard he keeps due to his Muslim faith...
)
Fimography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2000 |
Backstage Backstage is a 2000 documentary film directed by Chris Fiore, chronicling the 1999 Hard Knock Life tour that featured several of hip hops top acts including Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man and Redman...
|
As himself |
Cameo/Documentary |
| 2002 |
Brown Sugar |
As himself |
Cameo |
| State Property State Property is a 2002 American crime film starring Beanie Sigel, Omillio Sparks, Memphis Bleek and Damon Dash. Rapper Jay-Z appears in a cameo role. It was produced by Roc-A-Fella Films and distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment. Abdul Malik Abbott directed the film and co-wrote its screenplay...
|
Beans |
Main Role |
| Paper Soldiers Paper Soldiers is an urban crime comedy released in 2002. It stars Kevin Hart, Beanie Sigel, Stacey Dash, Kamal Ahmed, and rapper Jay-Z appears in a cameo role...
|
Stu |
Main Role |
| 2003 |
Death of a Dynasty Death of a Dynasty is a comedy film first screened in 2003. It is a satire of the hip hop music industry centered around Roc-A-Fella Records, and stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Capone and Damon Dash. It also features cameo appearances by musicians, actors and celebrities such as Jay-Z, Mariah Carey,...
|
Charles "Sandman" Patterson |
Support Role |
| 2004 |
Fade to Black |
As himself |
Cameo/Documentary |
| 2005 |
State Property 2 State Property 2 is a 2005 American crime film directed by Damon Dash and produced and distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment. A sequel to 2002's State Property, the film stars rap artists and other musicians such as Cam'ron, The Diplomats, Beanie Sigel, N.O.R.E., Kanye West, Mariah Carey and...
|
Beans |
Main Role |
| 2007 |
Beef IV Beef IV is the fourth installment of the Beef series. It is a documentary about Hip hop rivalries and beefs . It was released on DVD on September 18, 2007. It was directed by Peter Alton and lasts approximately 108 minutes. It was narrated by Charlie Murphy...
|
As himself |
Cameo/Documentary |
| 2011 |
Rhyme and Punishment |
As himself |
Cameo/Documentary |
External links
- Beanie Sigel page at Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...