Raz Simone
Raz Simone | |
---|---|
Born | Solomon Samuel Simone January 15, 1990 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
Other names | Razpy |
Occupation | Rapper |
Children | 1 |
Musical career | |
Genres | Hip hop |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2014–current |
Labels | Black Umbrella H1ghr Music |
Website | razsimone |
Solomon Samuel Simone (born January 15, 1990), known by his stage name Raz Simone (/ræz sɪˈmoʊn/), is an American recording artist, songwriter, and political activist and organizer[1] from Seattle, Washington. A hip hop artist who started under the name Razpy, he built his brand by releasing EPs, touring, and filming music videos through his company Black Umbrella.[2]
He gained recognition after releasing his debut solo EP, Solomon Samuel Simone.[2] Simone became the subject of media coverage for his association with the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, part of the George Floyd protests in Seattle.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Simone attended a private elementary school. In 2007, he worked for the Boys & Girls Club and was in the Running Start dual enrollment program.
Music[]
Upon release of his debut solo EP, Solomon Samuel Simone, Simone garnered the attention of 300 Entertainment executives Lyor Cohen, Todd Moscowitz, and Kevin Liles which resulted in a partnership between the newly established 300 Entertainment and his Black Umbrella Imprint.
After the success of his debut EP, Simone embarked on a 52 city tour with Rittz of Strange Music and Tuki Carter of Taylor Gang Entertainment. During this time he dropped his first full-length album Cognitive Dissonance. For the first four months of 2015 Simone released new music nearly every week, resulting in three new projects: Cognitive Dissonance: Part 2, Macklemore Privilege & Chief on Keef Violence, and Baby Jesus.[3] In 2016 Simone released Trap Spirituals. He was nominated for XXL's Freshman List. In June 2016 Simone played shows in seven cities, opening for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.[citation needed]
Simone has also collaborated with a variety of rappers, such as Roc Nation label member Jay Park, and GOOD Music artist Pusha T on the track featuring King Leez titled "That Ain't Love", which was praised by hip-hop blog sites.[4]
In May 2020, he threw a "pop-up, drive-in concert" at a parking lot at Seattle Center.[5] This type of concert was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to allow for social distancing.
Activism[]
In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests in Seattle, Simone emerged as an active member of the self-declared Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.[6][7] CNN described him as the "de facto leader of the autonomous zone."[8] Conservative news outlets and publications including Fox News,[9] Townhall,[10] New York Post,[11] and City Journal[12] featured Simone prominently in their coverage of the zone, characterizing him as a "warlord" policing the area with an AK-47 and highlighting an interaction where he allegedly assaulted a tagger.[10] Video was later released showing Simone distributing firearms to unknown individuals.[13][14]
According to Snopes, right-wing commentator Andy Ngo shared a video on June 15 of Simone distributing a rifle from the trunk of his car to another protester on June 8 (the day the zone was first established), after "rumors developed that members of the right-wing group Proud Boys were going to move into the protest area to set fires and stir chaos."[13] Simone disagreed with the characterization that appeared in the media.[15]
Discography[]
- 5 Good Reasons EP with Sam Lachow (2012)[16]
- Samuel Solomon Simone (2013)[17]
- Cognitive Dissonance pt. 1 (2014)[18]
- Baby Jesus (2014)[19]
- Macklemore Privilege & Chief On Keef Violence (2015)[20]
- Cognitive Dissonance pt. 2 (2015)[21]
- Trap Spirituals (2016)[22]
- Closer (2018)
- Drive Theory (2018)
- Still Love (2019)
References[]
- ^ Johnson, Gene. "Black Lives Matter sues over violent Seattle police tactics". Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Meet Raz Simone: 300's First Artist". MTV News. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- ^ "ABOUT RAZ SIMONE". blog.razsimone.com. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
- ^ JES7. "Raz Simone – "That Ain't Love" f. Pusha T & Leezy Soprano". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
- ^ "Seattle rapper Raz Simone threw a pop-up, drive-in concert at a Seattle Center parking lot. Here's how it went". The Seattle Times. 2020-05-10. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ News, Patrick Quinn | KOMO (June 10, 2020). "'Property of the People': Protesters set up camp outside SPD East Precinct". KOMO. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ Markovich, Matt (2020-06-10). "Police make allegations of intimidation, extortion inside Capitol Hill's Autonomous Zone". KOMO. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ Toropin, Konstantin (June 24, 2020). "Leader of Seattle's 'autonomous zone' says many protesters are leaving". CNN. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ Wallace, Danielle (June 11, 2020). "Seattle autonomous zone 'leader' denies acting like 'warlord' in 'no cop, co-op'". Fox News. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Rosas, Julio (June 11, 2020). "Cracks Are Starting to Appear at Seattle's 'Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone'". Townhall. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ Feuerherd, Ben; Italiano, Laura (2020-06-12). "Rapper Raz Simone accused of being 'warlord' in Seattle's police-free CHAZ". New York Post. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- ^ Rufo, Christopher F. "Anarchy in Seattle". City Journal. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Kasprak, Alex (June 23, 2020). "Does This Video Show Raz Simone Handing Out Guns in Seattle's CHOP?". Snopes.com. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- ^ Graham, Ben (2020-06-16). "'Warlord' of Seattle's lawless zone hands out guns from his Tesla". NewsComAu. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- ^ Read, Bridget (June 11, 2020). "What's Going On in CHAZ, the Seattle Autonomous Zone?". The Cut. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- ^ CG (2012-09-24). "NEW MUSIC: 5 Good Reasons – Sam Lachow & Raz Simone". A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
- ^ "Raz Simone - Solomon Samuel Simone - Black Umbrella & Dream & Produce". Respect My Region. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
- ^ "First Listen: Raz Simone, 'Cognitive Dissonance'". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
- ^ "Raz Simone's 'Baby Jesus' Will Give You Goosebumps". UPROXX. 2015-03-15. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
- ^ "[Album Review] MACKLEMORE PRIVILEGE & CHIEF ON KEEF VIOLENCE - Raz Simone| more than a hip hop blog". Upcoming Hip-Hop | more than a hip hop blog. 2015-03-28. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
- ^ "Raz Simone - Cognitive Dissonance: Part 2 | Stream | Hip Hop Albums - DJBooth". DJBooth. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
- ^ "Raz Simone Delivers Soulful, Trap Tunes In His New Mixtape "Trap Spirituals"". Vibe. 2016-01-29. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
- Living people
- Activists from Seattle
- Musicians from Seattle
- Rappers from Seattle
- Rappers from Washington (state)
- West Coast hip hop musicians
- American male rappers
- 1990 births
- 21st-century American rappers
- 21st-century American male musicians
- Hip hop biography stubs