C.R.I.$.I.$. Biography

With his album being released under his imprint, Diamond Chain Unltd and Clavel Inc. It's important to give you a little history on this Hip-Hop artist, C.R.I.$.I.$.

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He has a great family background as his great grandparents were Egyptian and he is claimed to be a direct descendant of the Great Chief, Mwata Kazembe of the Zambian Lunda People.

C.R.I.$.I.$ is the stage name of Chisenga Katongo, a Zambian born hip-hop artist who’s talent has already conquered the African continent and who’s name is now becoming widely recognised across Europe, America and the rest of the world.

2007 He was featured in the U.K.’s Computer Music Magazine: issue 112 (May, 2007) produced a great song review on his work by the industry’s insider Ronan MacDonald. Later that year he appeared on a mixtape by Jay-Z’s disc jockey, DJ Green Lantern, called ‘MySpace Monster Mash’ as well as another one by the British Disc Jockey, DJ Ames, called “US-UK Takeover” featuring other great hip-hop artists such as UK Craig David, Lil’ Wayne & Lovely.

He performed at events in London, including The Oxjam organised by the UK’s biggest charity organisation Oxfam and later at The Hugo Urban Rules music workshop organised by none other than the designers themselves, Hugo Boss.

In March 2008 he released his UK debut album  ‘Designer’ under the independent record label “Clavel Inc” of UK.

“Designer” is arguably the first hip-hop record out of UK that is a cut above the rest. It’s distinctively unique style of beats, music compilation adopted by the artist as well as the slick lyrics promoting non-guns culture and young love, makes it a none other but C.R.I.$.I.$.’s own brand of sound. It could be compared to the East/West Coast hip-hop but throws that rich R&B, Jazz, Rock and Pop flavour blended into one.

He grew up listening to a varaety of music, but from the age of 8 he really started to enjoy Hip-Hop. “The Message,” by Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five when C.R.I.$.I.$. was only ten, have made a profound influence on a young musician  and from that moment on he knew that this was his passion. Later influences from other artists like Big Daddy Kane, KRS One, NWA, LL Cool J and Dr. Dre, helped him realise that he could bring something uniquely different into the contemporary Hip-Hop arena.

After graduating from the Institute for Management of Information Systems (IMIS) at the Zambia Insurance Business College Trust in 1998, he joined Mondo Music, once Zambia’s’ biggest record label. With them he made his debut professional release on a compilation called “The Rhythm Nation Project (Yo-Yamba).”

In 2000, he pursued an independent career and his song, Playaz Worldwide (We’re Takin’ Over) was featured on a South African Compilation called “Harambe Dope Sessions” that was licensed to South Africa’s DIY Records along with other high profile South African rappers.

A year later he became the face of Mosi Lager, a brew produced by South African Breweries and marketed throughout Africa. During their big advertising campaign, he quickly gained recognition, appearing on billboards, television and all of their print and electronic media ad’s.

Between 2002-2004, The Voice of America, appointed him as the coordinator of their Hip-Hop Connection Fan Club, an organization who were running developmental programmes for the youth. That year he also signed a three year publishing deal with Sony Music: South Africa headed by Jay Savage.

In 2004, C.R.I.$.I.$. entered into a rap battle on South African Television. He did well by ending into the final. From this experience, C.R.I.$.I.$. gained the recognition he needed to continue to pursuing his hip-hop career further. With his fame on the rise in Zambia, he signed a deal with a local distribution company, Solid Rhythmz jointly releasing his debut and first Hip-Hop album in Zambia, “Officer in Charge” in January, 2005. Because his album was such a success and a significant achievement for Zambia’s hip-hop industry, he quickly gained international recognition.

In March, 2005 he was featured in Future Music Magazine, receiving a good review from industry insider, Tim Oliver. Two months later he was invited to perform at the Channel-O Video Music Awards.

In 2006 inspired by a tragedy in the family, C.R.I.$.I.$. helped raise funds for the Breast Cancer Trust foundation in Lusaka, Zambia by holding a gig at Lusaka’s Club Phoenix. The gig was a success and according to the B.C.T., he was the first musician to ever take this step in response to their cause.

With over 15,000 albums sold in Lusaka, Zambia alone, his album, Officer in Charge (released January, 2005) was the first hip-hop album to be produced and released in Zambia by a Zambian artist. More recently, his album The Diamond Chain Mixtape reached another milestone by becoming the first Zambian mixtape to be released commercially in Zambia. After winning the Brath Awards for “Best Zambian Hip-Hop Artist” in 2008, C.R.I.$.I.$ isn’t showing any sign of slowing down as he continues to break down the barricades to venture past Zambia and into the Western hip-hop market.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/crisishiphop

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