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"The Coming of a Prince" (Ill-Pop)
Melvin Holman, born in 1979 in St. Louis, MO, was the youngest out of six. He was first inspired by hip-hop music when he was seven. With his parents once owning a night club he was introduced to DJ's, MC's, and the dance floor at a young age.
Ill-Pop started writing songs at age nine and performed in many school talent shows. Financing and recording his first solo album at age seventeen gained him much popularity and experience. Working in studios with pungent artist and producers like; Lil' Jon & the Eastside Boys, Knocturnal, Track-Boys, J-Kwon, St.Lunatics, Bobby Crawford, The Allstars, and many more indie labels.
This young prince has done performances with hot artist like 50 Cent, Nelly, Lil'Scrappy & Trillville, just to name a few. Having a taste of the rap industry he has performed a few of his own shows at local clubs like Hi Pointe Cafe, Bluberry Hill, The Spotlight, Club Rio, Club Candela, Red Sea Reggae, Club Chinchillas, The Limelight, Harris-Stowe State College, The Pagent, and The Ambassador. With his commonly liked hits, "Ill" has done nationwide performances at the Black College Tour, Hustle Town-Houston, TX. The Murat-Indianapolis, IN, B.E.T Soundstage-Orlando, FL, The Atrium-Atlanta, GA.
Currently promoting his second mixtape which has generated a buzz in the Hip-Hop underground circuit, he is working on his next album produced by Hot 50 Productions. Ill-Pop is inspired by artist and producers such as 2 Pac, Bob Marley, Dr.Dre, E-40, Jay-Z, Nas, Nelly, Notorius B.I.G., Run DMC, Timbaland, Tone-Rebel, and Will Smith. Not to be labeled as a "Battle Rapper", but he has held his own in countless freestyle battles not just locally but coast to coast.
This talented rapper understands the art of making songs the streets can relate to. Coming from a well known "drug infested" area in St.Louis that inspires him to give the industry a sound and side of St.Louis that has yet to be exposed. The fact that he is a people person also helps his status as a local celebrity. People in St. Louis place him in the same category with neighboring artist Nelly, Chingy, and J-Kwon. He also is known for his catchy hooks and delivery and ability to ride just about any track you place in front of him. To sum it all up, he has a story that has yet to be told and invites the hip-hop community into the world of Ill-Pop.
The Adventures of (Tone Rebel)
In the years of the pimps and hustlers, a true rebel was born. Tone started making mixtapes at age thirteen, which almost landed him a deal with Capitol Records the same year. Now at the age of 29, Tone Rebel has been on the hip-hop underground circuit where he also released an independent album in 1994 titled "Holy War". This album received spins in London and over ten thousand scans locally.
Aside from his musical career, Tone Rebel has been active in positive organizations such as Association for African American Role Models and the Taheed Youth Group. He has performed at local Venues such as; The Spotlight, Club Casino, The Pagent, The Red Sea, Hi Pointe Cafe, Limelight, and Club Chinchillas. Tone has also performed nationwide events like B.E.T. Sandstage- Orlando, FL, The Atrium- Atlanta, GA, The Murat- Indianapolis, IN, Hustle Town- Houston, TX, and Omni Music Convention- Houston, TX.
Tone Rebel has opened shows for the likes of 50 Cent, Rozell (Roots), Common, Nelly, 8-Ball-MJG. He is also associated and worked with Loon, Geto Boys, Taylor Made, E-3 Productions, Derty Ent, Lockem Down Records, Subzero Records, Sucka Free Records, Rap-a-Lot, Roc-a-fella, Long term, MCEight, B.G, J-Kwon, Crooked I, Esco Music Group and the list goes on.
Tone's smooth melodic voice melts over tracks like butter on toast. He can go from crunk to R&B to hardcore hip hop in a heart beat. I think that versatility alone seperates him from the average artist.
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