Beanie Sigel

All Music Guide:

Philadelphian rapper Beanie Sigel had a rapidly rising career, beginning with his appearance on one of underground rapper/producer DJ Clue?'s mixtapes, to his cameos on Jay-Z's Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, to a consequent solo deal with Roc-a-Fella Records. His distinctive, slightly drawling delivery and his clever but hard-hitting rhymes were showcased on his debut album, 2000's The Truth, which featured contributions from Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, Eve, and Scarface, and production by the Ruff Ryders' Swizz Beatz and Suave House's Tony Draper. His second album, The Reason, hit the streets in summer 2001, led by the single "Beanie (Mack B****)." Sigel soon launched his State Property line of clothing by announcing his gear would have hidden pockets and gun holsters. Legal problems plagued the rapper in 2003 when he was arrested on federal weapon and drug charges stemming from a police chase where Sigel allegedly tossed a loaded handgun. He was arrested again in September the same year on attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting a man in the stomach. The attempted murder trial was thrown out of court once already by the beginning of 2005, but was set to be retried while Sigel was pleading guilty to the federal weapon charges. Preparing for jail, Sigel went into high gear and completed a movie, an album, and five videos to support the new album. The album, The B. Coming, hit the shelves in March of 2005 while the movie, State Property 2, was released in April. Out of prison by the end of the year, Sigel went to work on his fourth album, The Solution; though there seemed to be fluctuations in Sigel's stance in the split between Jay-Z and Damon Dash, the rapper remained with Jay-Z, on Roc-a-Fella, and The Solution was issued in December 2007. His 2009 effort The Broad Street Bully was issued by the Siccness label with the message that it is "not an official studio album," but a "street release." That official album, This Time, arrived in 2012 on the Ruffhouse label and right before Sigel returned to prison, this time on a two-year tax evasion charge.

Wikipedia:

Dwight Grant (born March 6, 1974), better known by his stage name Beanie Sigel, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers Jay-Z, Freeway and other former and current artists on the Roc-A-Fella roster. His stage name comes from a street in South Philadelphia, the rapper's former stomping grounds where he worked alongside Senior Durham in the projects. He has sold more than two million albums worldwide. During a controversial period, Beanie Sigel recorded a song dissing his former boss and mentor Jay-Z on the track "I Go Off" with 50 Cent who had signed Grant to his G-Unit Records label in 2009. In early 2011 Grant appeared in Travis Barker's album Give the Drummer Some, saying that it was the end of his career. In May 31, 2011 Grant apologized to his former boss Jay-Z. But in an interview with DJ Green Lantern, he said that he had never "apologized" to Jay-Z, and that he was still making music.

Music career [edit]

State Property (2002–2003) [edit]

In 2002, Sigel and much of the Roc roster starred in a Dame Dash-produced movie entitled State Property. Its release coincided with the creation and promotion of State Property, a group of artists signed to Roc-A-Fella that hailed from Philadelphia and organized by Sigel and Freeway. Its members included Peedi Crakk, the Young Gunz (Neef Buck & Young Chris), Oschino and Omilio Sparks. Their first collaboration was for the movie's soundtrack, an eponymous release that featured the original "Roc the Mic" by Sigel and Freeway. They followed up with 2003's The Chain Gang Vol. 2, featuring the single "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" by the Young Gunz; the record was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group.

The B. Coming (2005) [edit]

In 2005 Sigel finished his 3rd album The B. Coming, and shot multiple videos, directed by Joe Briscella, before he had to serve a year long prison sentence for a 2004 weapons and drug possession arrest. During this time, Jay-Z ascended to the Presidency of Def Jam Records, causing former business partners Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke to split off and form the Dame Dash Music Group. Sigel's B. Coming was released on DDMG and Def Jam rather than Roc-A-Fella, but contained production from a slew of Roc/Jay-Z-affiliated producers including Chad West, The Neptunes, Just Blaze, Boola and Buckwild. Artists from both sides of the split were present on the record, from State Property members to Cam'ron and Jay-Z; the record spawned Sigel a hit with "Feel it in the Air," sold 131,000 copies in its first week.

Advertising his friendship with the incarcerated Beanie, Dash publicly claimed the artist was leaving the roster with him; during the sentence, State Property was thrown into turmoil, eventually choosing to remain at Roc-A-Fella—apparently against Sigel's wishes. Upon his release, Beanie called the loyalty of his group into question and stated that he was signing with Dame and Biggs courtesy of a stronger casual relationship with the pair than with Jay-Z:

Soon after, he clarified his comments, saying he simply didn't want to be involved in the conflict and electing to re-open talks with Roc-A-Fella instead of moving to DDMG.

The Solution (2006–2007) [edit]

In 2006 Sigel resigned with Roc-A-Fella Records and started to recording for his fourth studio album The Solution. On October 29, 2007 Sigel released the first single off The Solution entitled "All The Above" which featured R. Kelly it debuted on the U.S. R&B charts at #83. On May 22, 2007 Sigel released The Solution it debuted on the Billboard charts at #37.

This Time, Mac N Brad (2009–Present) [edit]

In 2009, after finally getting out of his contracts with Roc-A-Fella Records & Def Jam Records. Beanie Sigel released his first Independent album The Broad Street Bully. In 2010 Sigel announced he was working on his fifth studio album entitled The Closure which was to be released from Universal Republic and G-Unit Records. But on May 31, 2011 Sigel cancelled the album & retired from the music industry. Two weeks later, he returned and started working on the album again, re-titling it The Classic. In 2011 Sigel signed with 50 Cent's subsidiary label Gorilla-Unit Philly and renewed his contract with G-Unit Records from 2009. On July 13, 2011 Sigel released his first single from the album entitled "B-Boy Stance". On March 30, 2012, Sigel told Statik Selektah on Shade 45 that he would be working on a collaborative album with southern veteran and long-time friend Scarface titled Mac and Brad; at the same time, Scarface tweeted the announcement via mobile. On that day, Sigel also announced that while distribution deals with E1, Orchard, and Asylum were on the table, he decided to sign a distribution deal with EMI after one of Sigel's mutual friends suggested that Chris Schwartz check out his music. Under Schwartz's guidance, Sigel released a new mixtape followed by his studio album This Time.

Other ventures [edit]

Acting career [edit]

Sigel first appeared in the documentary "Backstage" but his first main role was in the hood movie State Property which spawned a sequel "State Property 2". Sigel released a DVD shortly after his third solo release "The B. Coming" entitled "The B. Coming of Beanie Sigel"in the year of 2005. Sigel also auditioned for the lead role of the 2009 film "Notorious", but was not picked

Sigel also appeared in the 2011 film Rhyme and Punishment a documentary about Hip-Hop artist who have served time in county jail or state/federal prison. The film features an interview with Sigel where he discusses his conviction and life in prison.

Controversy [edit]

Jadakiss [edit]

The new millennium also saw various Roc artists, including Sigel, engage in a conflict with artists from Ruff Ryders. Sigel publicly decried Jadakiss, the rest of the L.O.X. and DMX. While Sigel and Jadakiss both denied any violent intent, they continued to exchange criticism until Sigel put out a freestyle rap over Jadakiss' hit "Put Ya Hands Up".

Personal life [edit]

Religion [edit]

Similar to his friend and fellow Philadelphia rapper Freeway, Sigel is a strong believer of the Islamic faith.

Friendship with Scarface [edit]

Conversely, Sigel cultivated a friendship with southern rapper Scarface. Having first appeared together on "This Can't Be Life" with Jay-Z from Dynasty, the two would go on to collaborate on Sigel's first two records, Scarface's The Fix, and later on Sigel's 2007 album The Solution. On April 5, 2012, in another interview (alongside Scarface) with Statik Selektah on Shade 45, regarding their upcoming collaborative album Mac N Brad, Sigel said that he had wished to produce an album with Scarface since the release of his debut album The Truth.

Legal issues [edit]

In 2002, Sigel was arrested and charged with a federal weapons charge in West Philadelphia. He would later serve a year in federal prison.

In January 2003, Sigel was arrested after a scuffle broke out where Sigel alegedley punched a 53-year-old man in the face, fracturing his eye socket.

Sigel turned himself in to Philadelphia police on July 3 2003 and was charged with attempted murder after allegedly firing 6 shots from 9mm handgun at a club door, injuring two people. He was also charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and possession of a criminal instrument. Sigel's first trial ended in a hung jury. A second trial resulted in a not guilty verdict.

In 2004, Sigel was convicted of federal weapons charges and sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison.

On May 25, 2006, Sigel was shot multiple times during a robbery in Philadelphia. He was able to flee the scene and drive himself to a local hospital. This was one month after being released from prison after serving a brief stint for child support charges.

Sigel was arrested on a drug possession charge while traveling to a concert in New Jersey on August 15, 2009. Police found nearly 50 grams of marijuana in his vehicle.

In 2010, Sigel was charged with three counts of failing to file tax returns on income of over $1 million between 2003–2005. Sigel pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 24 months in prison. He reported to prison on September 12, 2012.

On August 29, 2012, Sigel was arrested in Philadelphia on drug, weapons, and conspiracy charges after being pulled over by police. Officers found a fully loaded .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun inside the vehicle, as well as $4,500 in cash, unlabeled bottle of codeine cough syrup, and various pills.

Sigel is currently serving his 24-month sentence for failing to file tax returns at the Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia. He was sentenced to six to 23 months in county prison for illegal possession of prescription drugs, to be served concurrently with his federal sentence.

Filmography [edit]