KWAME - ONLY YOU

Uploader: DirtyRedEnt
Video Description: When Lloyd Banks broke out earlier this year with his debut single, "On Fire," few people realized that Kwamé, a rapper-turned-producer once known more for polka dots than gunshots, was responsible for the single's infectious track.
Kwamé first made a name for himself in 1989 with the single "The Man We All Know and Love" from his debut album, The Boy Genius. Polka-dotted trendiness ensued. He followed that up with the equally popular A Day in the Life: A Polkadelic Adventure, which featured the hit single "Ownlee Eue," in 1990. However, subsequent albums, Nastee and Incognito, didn't fare as well.
As the mood of hip-hop began to change with more hardcore MCs like the Notorious B.I.G. and the Wu-Tang Clan rising to prominence in the mid-1990s, the fun-loving Kwamé found himself less and less interested in being an MC.
"I became disenchanted with the industry," he said. "I was tired of fighting for royalties and being so constrained. So I decided to focus on music from a producer's standpoint.
"It was hard for me at first because, as an artist, my stock wasn't that high," he added. "Therefore, it was difficult for people to see beyond the polka dots. People were afraid to be attached to a name like mine. Hip-hop is about the freshest and the newest thing that's going on — that's a hurdle I'm just getting over."
Those misperceptions didn't stop Kwamé: Over the last five years, he's crafted tracks for Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Dru Hill and JoJo, among others. He struck gold earlier this year when he teamed with Lloyd Banks and Eminem for "On Fire."
"Lloyd Banks and Eminem took that chance with 'On Fire' as the first single," Kwamé said of the song, which he produced with assistance from Eminem. "They thought it was hot and wanted to make it the official door-opener [for Banks]."
According to Kwamé, the track is an interpolation of the Mohawks' often-sampled funk classic "The Champ." "I knew it would be instantly recognizable to hip-hop traditionalists and still be hot for younger kids," he said. While "On Fire" has put Kwamé back on the hip-hop map, the acclaim hasn't come without its challenges.
"Everyone thought that Eminem produced the track," explained the producer. "I understand that because of Eminem's stature. It was frustrating, but when Lloyd started doing press he really acknowledged me as the producer.
"Now the doors are starting to really open," he added. "Now it's crunch time if I want to be a viable commodity. It's time to prove to those who doubted me what I am capable of."
With 15 years in the music game under his belt, Kwamé is taking advantage of every opportunity that comes his way. In addition to "On Fire," he recently produced singles for Will Smith ("Switch") and Missy Elliott protégé Tweet ("Turn Off the Light").
"Missy collaborated with me on the song's finishing touches and she is a genius," Kwamé said of the Tweet single. "I have always wanted to work with her."
As for "Switch," the producer is quick to note that it is not what you might expect from the family-friendly superstar. "It's not the traditional Will Smith record, but he's not trying to be a gangsta either," said Kwamé. "It's pop-oriented, but with a grimy element."
Kwamé produced several tracks for Smith's forthcoming set as well as T.I., Toni Braxton, Babs of Da Band fame, and the YoungbloodZ.
As for a possible return to the mic, Kwamé is not ruling it out.
"I don't know if I would do another album deal as an artist," he said. "I would love to do my own label situation, and I would be my own artist, but I don't want to do it just to do it. I want to expand hip-hop to another level. So it's not out of the question, but I want to make my mark as a producer first."


Tags for this video: 1989 1990 all beat boy dots genius hiphop incognito kid know kwame love nastee old play polka producer rap school switch
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His name is Kwame ... ( 5 months ago by anniedomino1)
His name is Kwame Holland. And he is engaged. He may possibly be married now...
DOPE TRACK!!! ( 5 months ago by sickboy91513)
DOPE TRACK!!!
I use 2 ... ( 5 months ago by Goddess7913)
I use 2 LLLLLOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE this song!
my homie cisco put ... ( 5 months ago by cuatrofive)
my homie cisco put this shit on everytime i went to his pad....back in 93 94 (orale)
Used to? I still ... ( 5 months ago by carlafmf)
Used to? I still do!
I wonder if these ... ( 4 months ago by sanyjh)
I wonder if these artist really know how much their music was appreciate. I listen to this whole clip and very cleary remembered the video. Crazy. Those were the days!
old school is ... ( 4 months ago by dimpsey3)
old school is Kurtis blow..the sugarhill gang.
and run d.m.c...new school is lil wyane...
young berg and piles..
OMG I LOVE THIS ... ( 4 months ago by evelynjanfan300)
OMG I LOVE THIS Song so much gives me such a natural high
i agree, he was a ... ( 3 months ago by tbeyah)
i agree, he was a great artist too
Old school is more ... ( 3 months ago by geraldveggie)
Old school is more authentic than the new school.
You got that right! ( 3 months ago by geraldveggie)
You got that right!
The first I met ... ( 3 months ago by geraldveggie)
The first I met Kwame was in a mall.He was feeding ice cream to baby.KOOL person!
This is where I got ... ( 3 months ago by renzo623)
This is where I got the ballz to just go ahead and wear my polka dotz!!!
If u don know bout ... ( 3 months ago by darksiete)
If u don know bout this u sleep
This was and still ... ( 3 months ago by 1tamond)
This was and still the jam today. Back when I use to wear piere cardin shirts,overalls,L.A streethikers, with the flat top fade. Dance battles,house partys was crakinnnnn back then. Not the club!!!!
THIS WAS DA ... ( 2 months ago by frogmom1010)
THIS WAS DA JAMMMMMMM!!!
I remember ... ( 2 months ago by LGKids)
I remember listening to this and waiting for the break in the song! Kwame is one of the best and always will be! He was fly in his dress and in his style! Today's rappers could take a big page from his book, and read it, absorb it and soak it up, for help in todays (trying to rap world!)
polka dots!!!! ( 1 month ago by sldeyo)
polka dots!!!!
OOOoooo, I remember ... ( 1 month ago by peachez77)
OOOoooo, I remember they used to play this on Sunday nights at Skate Palace, OMG! We used to get loose on this. He's the one who started the blond streak in the Ronald Regan cut hahahaahah! Kwame was fine too, still is.
anyone know where i ... ( 1 week ago by 1lifestyle)
anyone know where i can find a shirt with giant polka dots
Great song. ( 1 week ago by SherRoyal)
Great song.
This is the Jam. He ... ( 1 week ago by Danmich31)
This is the Jam. He also has written a song on Keyshia Cole's new album. Good to know you're still out there Kwame.
great artist..... ... ( 1 week ago by thenextjordan00)
great artist.....polk-a-dots ROCK!
MAN!!! Memories! ( 22 hours ago by 90sToInfinity)
MAN!!! Memories!


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