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88-Keys

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88-Keys
88-Keys performing live in 2009
88-Keys performing live in 2009
Background information
Birth nameCharles Misodi Njapa
Born(1976-03-05)March 5, 1976(age 48)
New York City,U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
  • musician
Years active1998–present
Labels
Websitewww.myspace.com/88keys

Charles Misodi Njapa(born March 5, 1976), better known by his stage name88-Keys,is an American record producer and rapper from New York City.

Biography[edit]

Born inNew York Cityto West African parents fromCameroon,he was raised in theEastchestersection of theBronxand later inWest HempsteadonLong Island,where he attended high school.[1][2]

88-Keys first took an interest inhip hopafter hearingPrince Paul'sproductiononDe La Soul's 1989 critically acclaimed album3 Feet High and Rising.[3]In the early 1990s, 88-Keys met rapper-producersQ-Tip,Pete RockandLarge Professorworking as an intern at West Hempstead's The Music Palace recording studio. It was Large Professor who gave Charles his 88-Keys moniker after witnessing his skills on theEnsoniq ASR-10keyboard.[4]

Upon considering a serious career in music, 88-Keys's parents and older brother began trying to point him into the field of medicine because it was a more "professional field" and the music industry did not seem like a lucrative move.[5]After briefly attendingHofstra UniversityandQueens College,88-Keys dropped out to pursue his dreams of being a record producer. His decision was fueled by an opportunity to record some tracks withThe Pharcydewho were recording in California.[6]

In addition to his passion for music, 88-Keys has expressed his love for fashion, most notablyRalph Lauren.In a 2008 interview withMetro,88-Keys revealed that he had wornPolo Ralph Laurenevery day for 16 years.

I try to stay true to Ralph's vision. I don't want to bastardize his vision – no offense to the urban community – because we all know what happened to Tommy Hilfiger once the hip hop community embraced it. I'll walk out of the door dressed in loafers when everyone else is wearing Timberland boots. I definitely stand out. I'll tag along with Kanye on shopping trips and look at clothing by designers whose names I'd need to take French lessons to pronounce. He'll ask me what I think and I'll be like, whatever. I've turned down paying gigs because they've tried to dress me in clothing by other designers. Besides record shopping, the only other place I need is a Polo store. I'll go to Paris and they ll be like, 'here's the Eiffel Tower' and I'm like, 'whatever, where's the record store and the Polo store.[7]

According to the article, 88-Keys began wearing Polo Ralph Lauren as a Long Island high school student in 1992, when he developed a liking for its classic, preppy style. He asserted that he had worn a complete look from the brand every day, without fail. As of 2008, his wardrobe included over 700 Polo pieces.[7]

Since his days as an assistant engineer, 88-Keys has produced records for numerous artists includingMos Def,Talib Kweli,Kid Cudi,Macy Gray,Musiq Soulchild,Dejuan Lucian, andConsequence.Recently, 88-Keys extended beyond his production credits to highlight his skills on the mic asMC,singer andcollaborator,most notably on his solo debut albumThe Death of Adamreleased on November 11, 2008.Executively producedby 88-Keys's close friendKanye West,[8]theconcept albumtells the story of a man named Adam who has been murdered in a loft apartment in Harlem.[9]In August 2008 a fifteen-trackmixtapetitledAdam's Case Fileswas released as a prequel toThe Death of Adam.The album's first single titled "Stay Up! (Viagra)"was officially released through iTunes on September 9, 2008. In December 2008, 88-Keys was highlighted asSpinArtist of the Day.[10]In 2009, 88-Keys worked inAtlantawith new female duoAddictiveon a track for a forthcoming album.

In June 2019, 88-Keys announced that a song he produced titled "That's Life",featuringSiaandMac Miller,had been approved for release by Miller's estate, and was released throughWarner Recordson June 20, 2019.[11][non-primary source needed]

Discography[edit]

Main article:88-Keys production discography
  • Adam's Case Files Mixtape(2008)
  • Stay Up! (Viagra) Prescription Pack – EP(2008)
  • The Death of Adam(2008)

References[edit]

  1. ^"Polo Ralph Lauren fits 88-Keys just fine".Los Angeles Times.November 23, 2008.
  2. ^"Cooking at Home with 88-Keys".First We Feast.July 8, 2013.
  3. ^"88-Keys Bio".Decon Records. Archived fromthe originalon September 11, 2018.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  4. ^"88-keys: The Process of Making a Beat".Dork Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on September 19, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 3,2008.
  5. ^"88-Keys – The Piano Man".Serge Fleury. July 9, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon August 2, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 7,2008.
  6. ^"Solid as a Rock".Anthony Roberts. May 1, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon July 18, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 7,2008.
  7. ^ab"Sticking with the Brand".Kenya Hunt. November 10, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2009.RetrievedNovember 17,2008.
  8. ^"88-Keys" The Death of Adam "News Piece No. 2".Archived fromthe originalon September 16, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 3,2008.
  9. ^"88-Keys ft. Kanye West – Stay Up (Viagra)".M. Burmy. August 26, 2008.Archivedfrom the original on August 29, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  10. ^"ARTIST OF THE DAY: 88-KEYS".Joseph Coscarelli. December 11, 2008.Archivedfrom the original on December 17, 2008.RetrievedDecember 29,2008.
  11. ^"For all of you who have been wondering about 'benji the dog'... here you go: 'That's Life' by me (88-Keys) ft. @MacMiller & @Sia dropping June 20th. Real & official version approved my Mac's family & estate. Save the date & the word please... with love. 💕✌🏾".June 13, 2019.RetrievedJune 14,2019– via Twitter.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=88-Keys&oldid=1219097309"