Malik Yusef Explained

Malik Yusef
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Malik Yusef El Shabazz Jones
Birth Date:4 April 1971
Origin:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Years Active:1995-present

Malik Yusef El Shabazz Jones[1] (born April 4, 1971) is an American spoken word artist, poet, rapper, music producer, and director based in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Early life

He was raised in Chicago's South Side neighborhood known as the "Wild 100's",[2] where he became affiliated with the Blackstone Rangers street gang; he is no longer involved in gang activity.[3] In his youth, he became friendly with rapper Common.[3] He is dyslexic, which he first realized as a teenager. He has evolved over the years from a street poet into an actor, mainly acting out his "street hustler" persona. In an interview an ex-girlfriend said this persona couldn't be further from the truth. His name means "King Joseph" (Malik and Yusuf, respectively) in Arabic

As a spoken word artist, Malik Yusef utilizes poetry to explore a wide range of personal and social issues while maintaining a global perspective aimed at fostering benevolence. His work blends street vernacular with diverse musical backdrops, including hip-hop beats, organic keyboards, guitars, and horns. Yusef is renowned for his role as a "wordsmith," delivering verses that reflect his experiences growing up in Chicago’s urban landscape. His poetry offers insights into the complexities of inner-city life and broader socio-economic challenges.

Yusef draws inspiration from various sources, including his children, dreams, ancestral heritage, and influential poets such as Langston Hughes, William Shakespeare, Haki Madhubuti, and Phillis Wheatley. His spoken word artistry has not only shaped his career but has also been featured in high-profile promotional campaigns for brands such as ASCAP, Sprite, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Chrysler, Verizon, Miller Brewing Co., and Nike.

This revision maintains the focus on Yusef’s career while clarifying and updating the information for a Wikipedia entry.

Acting career

He got his first break when New Line Cinema Director Ted Witcher commissioned him to coach Larenz Tate in the romantic drama "Love Jones" which went on to garner a Sundance Film Festival Award and three NAACP Image Awards. While filming in Chicago, Yusef additionally made a cameo as a guest spoken word artist.

In 2007 he collaborated with Director Frey Hoffman (Kanye West's "Jesus Walks," Sa-Ra' featuring Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli "Feel the Bass") for the film adaptation of Yusef's poem "Hollywood Jerome." The two contemporaries previously joined forces for Yusef's 2005 music video "Wouldn't You Like to Ride" featuring Kanye West and Common. Their film "The Untimely Demise of Hollywood Jerome" presents a gritty street drama, chronicling the tale of a 14-year-old South Side gang member who idolizes classic Hollywood gangsters like the archetypical Scarface and Godfather. Yusef and Hoffman's film openly confronts pop culture's misrepresentation and glorification of gang warfare. The film culminates in the protagonist caught up in a police stand-off on the opposite side of town. Cameos include Kanye West and Twista.

Television career

His most noticeable performance came in 2002 during a featured poem entitled "I Spit…" on Season 2 of HBO's "Russell Simmon's Def Poetry Jam." The segment also featured artists including Malcolm Jamal Warner and legendary hip hop icon Rakim. Yusef appeared as himself in the 2005 VH-1 Television Series "Driven," a documentary surrounding the life of friend Kanye West, also featuring appearances from Common, Damon Dash, Jermaine Dupri, Jay-Z, Ludacris and Russell Simmons. He additionally made guest appearances on ABC Worldwide News, WGN Morning News, CLTV's Garrard McClendon Live!, BET's Rap City and MTV's Hip-Hop Week.

Music career

The Great Chicago Fire; A Cold Day in Hell (Universal Records 2003)

He released his solo album featuring local talent including Kanye West, Carl Thomas, Marvo 11, Chantay Savage, Michael Coleman, Common and Twista, documenting an amalgam of eroticism, religion, gangster folklore and hip-hop. The Source magazine dubbed the debut "a classic."

G.O.O.D. Morning, G.O.O.D. Night (G.O.O.D Music Recordings 2009)

He released his sophomore effort, G.O.O.D. Morning, G.O.O.D. Night in June 2009, featuring guest musicians and producers Kanye West, Common, Raheem Devaughn, Christopher Denson, Jennifer Hudson, Michelle Williams, Hearontrackz, KRS One, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Twista, Jes.Tone, rock band Violet Nine and soul pianist John Legend, as well as musician Mr. Hudson. The concept of the reflective double CD displayed Protagonist vs. Antagonist/Lower Self vs. Higher Self, exhibiting the poet's struggle between his internal dualities.

The first single "Magic Man" featured Kanye West, Common and John Legend. Another song called "By Your Side" which featured Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams and singer Brando, leaked on the internet Vocal Production by Christopher Denson

2012-present: Cruel Summer

Yusef made an appearance on the G.O.O.D. Music collaborative album, Cruel Summer, which was released on September 18, 2012. He appeared on the track, "Sin City," along with fellow G.O.O.D. Music artists John Legend, Teyana Taylor, Cyhi the Prynce, and Travis Scott.[4]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Collaborations

He and jazz saxophonist Mike Phillips (Hidden Beach Records) collaborated on the song "This is Not a Game", which was selected by basketball star Michael Jordan and appeared on the interactive CD-Rom included alongside his limited edition Jordan 17 Sneakers in August 2002. His work has also been featured on a string of albums, particularly alongside his comrades and Chicago natives.

Producing or writing, composing

Grammys

Yusef has won nine Grammy from twelve nominations.

Tours

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ACE . ACE Repertory . Ascap.com . 2019-09-28.
  2. Web site: Official website . www.malikyusefjones.com. 2019-09-28.
  3. Web site: Malik Yusef Jones's Biography . Thehistorymakers.org . 2019-09-28.
  4. Web site: Young . Alex . Kanye West's Cruel Summer tracklist revealed . September 7, 2012 . Consequence.net . 2014-05-30.

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