Kwamé Holland, a noted MC of the late 80s and early 90s era (and modern producer), dropped “Ownlee Eue”, a major Bboy Jam by definition, in 1990:
Drawing samples from Hip-Hop beatmaker favorites “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” by Bob James, “I Know You Got Soul” by Bobby Byrd, and the Ill grunt from Syl Johnson’s “Different Strokes”, which is so DOPE we had to plug it in right here, Kwamé (@kwamedidit) clearly had an ear for the Bboy Sound:
And big up to the homie for offering the instrumental from “Ownlee Eue” on his Soundcloud:
Kwamé remains in Hip-Hop with a vengeance as a producer, setting off the beats for modern day hits like “On Fire” by Lloyd Banks.
Described in reviews as a bold and unique character that was all about being himself regardless of style, and was even able to pull off crazy styles and establish his presence by force.
From a 2007 piece at AllHipHop.com:
Kwamé burst onto the Hip-Hop scene with his debut album The Boy Genius (1989), and received more than his fair share of props. However, by the time his second CD (A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure) dropped in 1991, he brought hit records and a fashion craze. Kwamé ushered in his trademark style that took the urban world by storm – polka dots. When the world thinks of Kwamé, they are likely to reference Notorious B.I.G.s “Unbelievable,” where the Brooklyn rapper maliciously said, Your life is played out like Kwamé, and them f**kin’ polka-dots. Dissed or not, the look was like a fashion epidemic with no cure.
…Kwamé – now an accomplished music producer – was also one of the artists who pushed the hair-dye trend of that time forward as well. As his logo suggested, the apostrophe hair-dye design also became one of his signatures. Despite some revisionist history, Kwames place in the annals of fashion is in stone. He was bold and uncompromising as any icon should be. Want to be one? I recommend thick skin and prepare yourself for the praise and/or ridicule that may follow.
Make sure to follow Kwamé on Facebook!
