Cory McKay (born 1970 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn) , better known as Cormega or "MC Cor", is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life. Cormega came up as part of the early-'90s Queensbridge, Queens, New York scene that also fostered such name acts as Nas and Mobb Deep, among many others (not to mention the preceding generation of artists affiliated with Marley Marl and the Juice Crew).
Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960, Beaux Bridge, Louisiana) is an American jazz saxophonist. Branford studied with Alvin Batiste at Baton Rouge's Southern University in 1978, completing his studies at Berklee School of Music, between '79 & '81. He began his professional career in the early 1980s playing with Art Blakey's big band (playing baritone), Clark Terry's band, and Blakey's Jazz Messengers.
Fatlip (b. Derrick Stewart in 1969) is an American rapper and former member of the alternative hip hop group The Pharcyde, which he was a member of from 1990 to 1995. After being fired from The Pharcyde, Fatlip began his solo career with the single "What's Up Fatlip?" in 2000, but did not release a solo debut album until 2005, when he released "The Loneliest Punk". Fatlip has appeared on songs by many artists, such as The Chemical Brothers, Neon Neon and N.A.S.A.
Dr. Octagon is one of Kool Keith's many alter egos. His initial release as Dr. Octagon was 1996's Dr. Octagonecologyst, on which he collaborated with Dan the Automator Nakamura and DJ QBert. After the name was dropped in favour of Dr. Dooom, it was widely believed that it wouldn't be used again until the release of 2006's The Return of Dr. Octagon, which Keith maintains was changed and released without his consent.
Choking Victim was an American punk band from 1992 to 1999, formed in New York City. The band became notable around "C-squat," in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where they squatted and continue to inhabit and organize shows for their music, which blended ska punk with black metal, and anarchist lyrics. They also became known for Satanic imagery and numerous references to the vagrant lifestyle, such as crack-smoking, shoplifting, and squatting. They also, like many other bands in the punk scene, have violent anti-police sentiments in their songs.
Lou Donaldson (born 1926) is a jazz alto saxophonist, born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker's improvisational approach. His first recordings were with bop emissaries Milt Jackson and Thelonious Monk in 1952, and lead several small groups with other jazz luminaries such as trumpeter Blue Mitchell, pianist Horace Silver and the indomitable skinsman, Art Blakey.
John Abercrombie (b. 1944) is a U.S. jazz guitarist. Abercrombie was born on 16th December 1944 in Port Chester, New York. He first came to prominence with fusion-oriented recordings in the 1970s. His first album, Timeless, with Jack DeJohnette, and Mahavishnu Orchestra's Jan Hammer was an international success. He is also known for his work with Stark Reality, Billy Cobham, Ralph Towner, and the Brecker Brothers.
There are at least two artists with this name. 1) M.E.D. aka Medaphoar is a hip hop MC who has recorded with Madlib, Wildchild, and Oh No. M.E.D's debut album was released on Stones Throw Records in 2005. Entitled Push Comes To Shove, the album features production from Madlib, J Dilla, Oh No (Madlib's younger brother), and Just Blaze. A CD entitled "Bang Ya Head" was released during Stones Throw's 2005 Tour and features M.E.D (known as Medaphoar) guest spots from 1998 to 2005.
M.E.D. made a dis track toward Canibus called "Lightwork."
It was around the age of 11 when making beats won out over video games to become Oh No
Celebrated pianist-composer Ahmad Jamal continues his performance schedule around the world, as he has for well over the last four decades. Noted for his outstanding technical command and identifiable sound as a piano stylist, Mr. Jamal was born on July 2, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A child prodigy who began to play the piano at the age of three, he began formal studies at age seven. While in high school, he completed the equivalent of college master classes under the noted African-American concert singer and teacher Mary Cardwell Dawson and pianist James Miller.