U-n-i
Encyclopedia
U-N-I are a hip hop
duo from Inglewood
, Los Angeles
, consisting of Y-O (born Yonas Semere Michael) and Thurzday
(born Yannick Koffi).
met in 1999 at St. Bernard High School in Westchester, California. They quickly recognized each other's talents on the basketball courts and during freestyle cipher battles in the school's cafeteria. They were originally part of a four-man group, the Rap-Ture Kamp, along with fellow St. Bernard student Ablaze and local producer Unjust Ant. This crew released two mixtapes, Rap-Ture Kamp Unleash, Volume 1 and Jacking Beats. After graduation in 2006 they split from the Kamp and formed U-N-I, the name inspired by The Roots
' 1996 album Illadelph Halflife. Thurz stated "To us, it's a first person statement. Myself and Y-O, U-N-I-verse, ain't nobody against us. It also stands for being universal and not being boxed into one sound."
Y-O is the mohawk emcee whose name "Yonas" translates to "Soldier" in his native Eritrea (East Africa) and he moved from Seattle, Washington to Inglewood, California in 1996. Thurzday is a descendent of both the Ivory Coast and Belize, taking his moniker from his last name "Koffi" which translates in Ghana’s native language of Akan to "boy born on Friday."
, Belgium
and Germany
. The duo soon became a staple on the urban and alternative blogosphere and received 5.5 million profile views on Myspace. Subsequently they were signed by ICM Agency and opened up for artists including Lupe Fiasco
, 50 Cent
, Mos Def
, Talib Kweli
, Wale
, Ludacris
, Busta Rhymes
, The Roots
and Redman
. They were named "Best Breakout LA Artist" at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, featured in URB Magazine's “NEXT 100” & “NEXT 1000,” XXL Magazine’s “New Kids in Town,” Billboard Magazine’s “Acts to Watch,” The Source Magazine’s “Unsigned Hype” & “Off the Radar,” Time Out New York’s “The Volume,” MTVu’s “The Hot Seat,” BET.com’s “Rookies of the Year” and ending up on the “SoundBoard” of The Los Angeles Times while serving as the official hosts of MTV’s “Sucka Free” - on the strength of their observant, life-affirming rhymes that revolved around everything from limited-edition sneakers to cosmic existentialism and old-school video games to musings on life and actress Lauren London
.
In October 2008 their rendition of "Stakes is High" was featured on The Honor Roll Mixtape (DJ Mick Boogie) while the remix to "Beautiful Day" featured Big Pooh and Evidence of Dilated Peoples
. In February 2009 to set the precedent for their second album “A Love Supreme” the duo released the mixtape "Before There was Love" (DJ Mick Boogie) featuring collabs with Talib Kweli
, Aloe Blacc
, Fashawn
, Mickey Factz
, Evidence
, and Kes Kaos.
In Summer 2009 they secured a record deal with Mountain Dew
’s Green Label Sound for the release of the single “Land of the Kings.” Their music videos for "Beautiful Day," "Soul Hop" “Lately” f/ Miguel, “Windows,” “Black Sky” and “Land of the Kings” all went into rotation on MTV Jams, MTVu, Sucka Free and MTV2. In Fall 2009 they headed out on a successful nationwide tour with Warren G, Kidz in the Hall and Curtains.
In March 2010 they released the follow up to their LP A Love Supreme 2.0 which contained 5 new tracks as well as a remixes with Evidence, Bun B and Jive Recording R&B Artist Miguel
The duo have been credited with reviving the "true essence" of hip-hop, rejecting the Gangsta rap
style that had become common. In 2007 Billboard Magazine said the duo were “born from the ashes of gangsta rap.”
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
duo from Inglewood
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, consisting of Y-O (born Yonas Semere Michael) and Thurzday
Thurzday
Yannick “Thurz” Koffi is a member of U-N-I a hip hop duo from Inglewood, Los Angeles. He is a descendent of both the Ivory Coast and Belize, taking his moniker from his last name "Koffi" which translates in Ghana’s native language of Akan to "boy born on Friday."...
(born Yannick Koffi).
History
Y-O and ThurzdayThurzday
Yannick “Thurz” Koffi is a member of U-N-I a hip hop duo from Inglewood, Los Angeles. He is a descendent of both the Ivory Coast and Belize, taking his moniker from his last name "Koffi" which translates in Ghana’s native language of Akan to "boy born on Friday."...
met in 1999 at St. Bernard High School in Westchester, California. They quickly recognized each other's talents on the basketball courts and during freestyle cipher battles in the school's cafeteria. They were originally part of a four-man group, the Rap-Ture Kamp, along with fellow St. Bernard student Ablaze and local producer Unjust Ant. This crew released two mixtapes, Rap-Ture Kamp Unleash, Volume 1 and Jacking Beats. After graduation in 2006 they split from the Kamp and formed U-N-I, the name inspired by The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
' 1996 album Illadelph Halflife. Thurz stated "To us, it's a first person statement. Myself and Y-O, U-N-I-verse, ain't nobody against us. It also stands for being universal and not being boxed into one sound."
Y-O is the mohawk emcee whose name "Yonas" translates to "Soldier" in his native Eritrea (East Africa) and he moved from Seattle, Washington to Inglewood, California in 1996. Thurzday is a descendent of both the Ivory Coast and Belize, taking his moniker from his last name "Koffi" which translates in Ghana’s native language of Akan to "boy born on Friday."
2007-2008
U-N-I who profess to be die hard sneaker aficionados flipped The Wu-Tang Clan's "C.R.E.A.M" into the 2007 hit song "K.R.E.A.M." (Kicks Rule Everything Around Me) which to date has received 430,000 hits on Youtube. That same year the duo released their satirically titled street album Fried Chicken & Watermelon which contained 14 songs including the single "Beautiful Day" and "Phat Girls," an ode to bigger women. “Beautiful Day” has received over 1.2 million views on Youtube, and garnered international acclaim from as far as the Czech RepublicCzech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The duo soon became a staple on the urban and alternative blogosphere and received 5.5 million profile views on Myspace. Subsequently they were signed by ICM Agency and opened up for artists including Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
, 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis 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...
, Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
, Wale
Wale
A wale is a broad, thick plank around the outside of a wooden ship.The garboard is the wale next to the keel; the gunwale is the top such plank and covers the heads of the timbers between the main and fore drifts....
, Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
and Redman
Redman
Reginald "Reggie" Noble , better known by his stage name Redman, is an American MC, rapper, DJ, record producer and actor. He came to fame in the early 1990s as an artist on the Def Jam label. He is also well known for his collaborations with Method Man, including their starring roles in films and...
. They were named "Best Breakout LA Artist" at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, featured in URB Magazine's “NEXT 100” & “NEXT 1000,” XXL Magazine’s “New Kids in Town,” Billboard Magazine’s “Acts to Watch,” The Source Magazine’s “Unsigned Hype” & “Off the Radar,” Time Out New York’s “The Volume,” MTVu’s “The Hot Seat,” BET.com’s “Rookies of the Year” and ending up on the “SoundBoard” of The Los Angeles Times while serving as the official hosts of MTV’s “Sucka Free” - on the strength of their observant, life-affirming rhymes that revolved around everything from limited-edition sneakers to cosmic existentialism and old-school video games to musings on life and actress Lauren London
Lauren London
Lauren Nicole London is an American film and television actress, model, and occasional music video actress. Beginning her career in music videos and later transitioning into film and television, London earned recognition for her performances in the film ATL as well as the television shows 90210...
.
In October 2008 their rendition of "Stakes is High" was featured on The Honor Roll Mixtape (DJ Mick Boogie) while the remix to "Beautiful Day" featured Big Pooh and Evidence of Dilated Peoples
Dilated Peoples
Dilated Peoples is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. The group achieved notability in the underground hip hop community, although they have had little mainstream success in the US, with the exception of the song "This Way," a 2004 collaboration with Kanye West and Xzibit...
. In February 2009 to set the precedent for their second album “A Love Supreme” the duo released the mixtape "Before There was Love" (DJ Mick Boogie) featuring collabs with Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
, Aloe Blacc
Aloe Blacc
Aloe Blacc is an American soul singer, rapper, and musician.-Early career and Shine Through :...
, Fashawn
Fashawn
Santiago Leyva , better known as Fashawn or Fash is an American Rapper from Fresno, California. He is best known for his debut album, Boy Meets World, which was produced entirely by one half of Emanon, Exile...
, Mickey Factz
Mickey Factz
Mickey Williams , also known by his stage name Mickey Factz, is an American hip hop artist from The Bronx, NY.-Early life:Mickey Factz attended Adlai E...
, Evidence
Evidence
Evidence in its broadest sense includes everything that is used to determine or demonstrate the truth of an assertion. Giving or procuring evidence is the process of using those things that are either presumed to be true, or were themselves proven via evidence, to demonstrate an assertion's truth...
, and Kes Kaos.
2009-2010
In February 2009 while promoting the debut LP A Love Supreme they were featured in UK’s Dazed & Confused Magazine where music editor Tim Noakes said, “They are the youthful epitome of colour and cadence.”In Summer 2009 they secured a record deal with Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew is a citrus-flavored carbonated soft drink brand produced and owned by PepsiCo. The original formula was invented in the 1940s by Tennessee beverage bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman and was first marketed in Marion, VA, Knoxville and Johnson City, Tennessee. A revised formula was...
’s Green Label Sound for the release of the single “Land of the Kings.” Their music videos for "Beautiful Day," "Soul Hop" “Lately” f/ Miguel, “Windows,” “Black Sky” and “Land of the Kings” all went into rotation on MTV Jams, MTVu, Sucka Free and MTV2. In Fall 2009 they headed out on a successful nationwide tour with Warren G, Kidz in the Hall and Curtains.
In March 2010 they released the follow up to their LP A Love Supreme 2.0 which contained 5 new tracks as well as a remixes with Evidence, Bun B and Jive Recording R&B Artist Miguel
Miguel
Miguel, the Spanish and Portuguese form of the name Michael, may refer to the following:-Portuguese Royalty:*Miguel of Portugal , King of Portugal;*Miguel II, Duke of Braganza , Portuguese pretender, son of King Miguel I...
The duo have been credited with reviving the "true essence" of hip-hop, rejecting the Gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
style that had become common. In 2007 Billboard Magazine said the duo were “born from the ashes of gangsta rap.”
Fried Chicken & Watermelon (2007)
- Introduction (1:23)
- The Launch (5:20)
- Soul Hop (3:49)
- Let Me BE (3:03)
- The Show 2007 (4:50)
- Do wit Me (4:06)
- Let Me Sing for You Skit (1:18)
- Knock on Wood (4:12)
- Fat Girl (4:41)
- The Proposal (4:03)
- Castlevania (3:55)
- LapDance (4:07)
- Beautiful Day (2:27)
- K.R.E.A.M. (4:49) (Samples C.R.E.A.M. by Wu-Tang ClanWu-Tang ClanThe Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
& Kick, PushKick, Push"Kick, Push" is the Grammy nominated first single released from Lupe Fiasco's debut album, Food & Liquor. It has been referred to as "a needle in hip hop's haystack of complacent songs."...
by Lupe FiascoLupe FiascoWasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
)
Before There Was Love (2009)
- Mick Boogie Intro
- Cali Soul f/ Shawn Jackson and Hope (prod. by Dibia$e)
- See LA f/ Damani (prod. by Faahz)
- Cast' Em Out (prod. by Dibia$e)
- The Press Play Show Interlude Part 1
- On Tour f/ Bambu (prod. by Ro Blvd)
- Think About It f/6th Sense & Vandalyzm (prod. by 6th Sense)
- Half Off f/ Evidence
- Run Son f/ El Prez, 310, C-San, & Casey Veggies (prod. by Ro Blvd)
- Stakes Is High (prod. by 6th Sense)
- The Press Play Show Interlude Part 2
- Beautiful Day Remix f/ Big Pooh, Evidence, Aloe Blacc, Kes Kaos, Mickey Factz, Fashawn, & Theo (prod. by Dibia$e))
- Yesterday (prod. by Ski Team)
- Hey Neighbor (prod. by Ro Blvd)
- Wildin' f/ Chen Lo & Tunji (prod. by Ro Blvd)
- The Press Play Show Interlude Part 3
- Castle Vee Re-Up f/ Black Milk (prod. by Dibia$e)
- Arcade Fly Remix f/ Wildabeast, 6th Sense, Buff1, Donny Goines, Fashawn
- Night Nurse (prod. by Cook Classics)
- Relax f/ FashawnFashawnSantiago Leyva , better known as Fashawn or Fash is an American Rapper from Fresno, California. He is best known for his debut album, Boy Meets World, which was produced entirely by one half of Emanon, Exile...
(prod. by FredNukes) - Return f/Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
(prod. by Lee Bannon) - Mainstream Consumers f/ Free Speech & Bambu (prod. by Ro Blvd)
- Monster f/ Shawn Jackson (prod. by Jaguar Skills)
- Vitamin B f/ CurT@!n$ (prod. by Lee BannonLee BannonLee Bannon, born September 22, 1987, is a hip-hop producer from Sacramento, California. His work is spread along the vast hip-hop scene and he has worked with the likes of Talib Kweli, The Alchemist, Big Shug of Gangstarr, Planet Asia, Krondon Phil Da Agony Mitchy Slick Strong Arm Steady, The...
) - The Press Play Show Interlude Part 4
- Start My Day f/ H.O.P.E. (prod. by Ro Blvd)
- Herb f/Co$$ & Bad Lucc (prod. by Ro Blvd)
A Love Supreme(2009)
- My Life
- Windows
- Supreme
- Hollywood Hiatus
- Lately
- Pulp Fiction Part 1 (featuring FashawnFashawnSantiago Leyva , better known as Fashawn or Fash is an American Rapper from Fresno, California. He is best known for his debut album, Boy Meets World, which was produced entirely by one half of Emanon, Exile...
) - The Grudge
- Voltron
- Stylin
- Hammertime
- Calendar Girls
- Lauren London
- Black Sky
- Halftime
- A Love Supreme
A Love Supreme 2.0 (2010)
- Supreme 2.0
- Land of the Kings
- Hollywood Hiatus
- The Launch 2.0
- Lately (featuring MiguelMiguelMiguel, the Spanish and Portuguese form of the name Michael, may refer to the following:-Portuguese Royalty:*Miguel of Portugal , King of Portugal;*Miguel II, Duke of Braganza , Portuguese pretender, son of King Miguel I...
) - My Life (featuring Kes Koas)
- Calender Girls
- Stylin
- Windows
- Halftime
- Pulp Fiction (featuring FashawnFashawnSantiago Leyva , better known as Fashawn or Fash is an American Rapper from Fresno, California. He is best known for his debut album, Boy Meets World, which was produced entirely by one half of Emanon, Exile...
) - P**y (featuring EvidenceEvidenceEvidence in its broadest sense includes everything that is used to determine or demonstrate the truth of an assertion. Giving or procuring evidence is the process of using those things that are either presumed to be true, or were themselves proven via evidence, to demonstrate an assertion's truth...
) - The Grudge
- Land of the Kings (Remix) (featuring Bun BBun BBernard Freeman better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK . He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas...
) - Voltron
- HammerTime
- Lauren London
- Black Sky
- A Love Supreme
Singles
- "Beautiful Day" (2007)
- "Soul Hop" (2008)
- "Hollywood Hiatus (Cool It Now)" (2008)
- "Land of the Kings" (2009)
- "Lately" f/ Miguel (2010)