Juelz Santana

Juelz Santana
Santana in July 2005
Background information
Birth name	LaRon Louis James
Born	February 18, 1983 (1983-02-18) (age 28) New York City, New York, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, record producer, actor
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Skull Gang, Def Jam, E1
Associated acts	Skull Gang, The Diplomats, Jim Jones, Lil Wayne, Cam'ron, Chris Brown, Lloyd Banks
Website	www.myspace.com/juelzsantana

LaRon Louis James (born February 18, 1983),^[1] better known by his stage name Juelz Santana, is an American rapper, producer, and actor. He appeared on Cam'ron's 2002 singles, "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma". In 2003, his debut album From Me to U was released by Def Jam Recordings; his next album What the Game's Been Missing! contained the top-ten single "There It Go (The Whistle Song)".

Early life & career

It was stated that Santana has a nephew from his father side of the family Fermin James. Santana began rapping at the age of three and at age twelve started duo Draft Pick, which was signed to Priority Records.^[2] In 2000, Santana made a guest performance on a track on Cam'ron's album S.D.E. and eventually joined The Diplomats.^[3]

Music career

2002–2004 (Final Destination, From Me To U)

After the signing of The Diplomats, also known as Dipset, to Roc-a-Fella Records in 2002, there was an influence of mixtapes, features on other artists' records, television and radio interviews, in which Juelz achieved mainstream recognition not previously gained through the various Diplomat mixtapes, and his solo mixtape Final Destination, that was sold in late 2002. After being featured on fellow Diplomat member Cam'ron's two singles, "Hey Ma" and "Oh Boy". Juelz started working on his debut album. In the summer of 2003, Santana released his debut album From Me To U, which was certified Gold. From Me to U peaked at #8 in the Billboard 200. Dipset (Santana's Town) peaked #70 in the U.S. Billboard.

What the Game's Been Missing! (2005)

What the Game's Been Missing! followed in 2005 with the singles "Mic Check", "There It Go (The Whistle Song)", "Oh Yes", "Clockwork," "Shottas", and "Make It Work For Ya" Feat. Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne. "There It Go" reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts; "Oh Yes" reached #56 on the Hot 100 and #8 on the Rap charts. "Mic Check" reached 35 in the Billboard Hot 100.^[4] Both this album and single "There It Go" were certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.^[5]

Born to Lose, Built to Win & Dipset Reunion (2010–present)

Since 2007, Santana has been recording material for his third album, Born to Lose, Built to Win. Shortly after recording began, Santana released a promo single, "The Second Coming", produced by Just Blaze. After a two year hiatus, he released a new song, "Days of Our Lives", with two accompanying music videos featuring cameos from Skull Gang. In late 2009 he released the first single off Born to Lose, Built to Win, "Mixin' Up the Medicine" featuring Yelawolf. In 2010, he released the second single titled, "Back to the Crib" featuring Chris Brown. In April 2010, Cam'ron and Jim Jones announced they ended their feud.^[6] In June 2010, the Dipset reunion began with a teaser titled "Under Construction" and a street single, "Salute" produced by Araabmuzik. The song features Jim Jones, Cam'ron, and Juelz Santana. The remix features new Diplomat artist Vado with a verse added. Since the reunion it is not yet known if or when Juelz will release the album. But it is known that he is working on a new album with The Diplomats. Recently Santana tweeted "I will give people that people wants Reagan Era in the studio" so that means that we can wait a new album for 2011.^[7]

Legal Issues

In January 2011 Juelz Santana's Bergenfield, New Jersey Recording Studio was raided, after a 10-month investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and Gang Unit.

Santana was arrested February 2, 2011, and charged with possession of a firearm, possession of a handgun without a permit, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. Santana posted $125,000 bail.^[8]

On March 22, 2011, Juelz Santana missed a performance at Chris Brown's record release party for his album F.A.M.E., after New York Police stopped the rapper and searched him for guns and drugs. While no one was arrested, Santana was not allowed to enter the building during the search. This caused him to miss his entire performance with Chris Brown. Juelz' lawyer Joe Wunstop told The New York Post that police stopped Santana because members of his entourage "might be affiliated, friends bring friends and he's really friendly"^[9]

Discography

Main article: Juelz Santana discography

Studio albums 2003: From Me to U 2005: What the Game's Been Missing! TBA: Born to Lose, Built to Win Official mixtapes 2002: Final Destination 2004: Back Like Cooked Crack Pt. 1 2005: Back Like Cooked Crack Pt. 2 2006: Back Like Cooked Crack Pt. 3 2011: Reagan Era

Collaboration albums 2003: Diplomatic Immunity (with The Diplomats) 2004: Diplomatic Immunity 2 (with The Diplomats) 2009: Skull Gang (with Skull Gang) TBA: Diplomatic Immunity 3 (with The Diplomats) TBA: I Can't Feel My Face (with Lil Wayne)

Filmography

• State Property 2 (2005)
• Killa Season (2006)
• Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff(2009)^[10]
• The Project (2011)^[11]
• Video Girl (2011)

References

1. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p471030. Retrieved 2009-11-17. 
2. ^ "Biography". Def Jam. http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_bio.php?artist_id=518. Retrieved 2009-03-21. 
3. ^ Kellman, Andy (2005). "Juelz Santana > Biography". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p471030. Retrieved 2009-03-21. 
4. ^ "Juelz Santana > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p471030. Retrieved 2009-03-21. 
5. ^ RIAA database search result
6. ^ Miss Info Exclusive: Cam’ron and Jim Jones rebuild friendship, Jimmy issues public apology. Missinfo.tv (2010-04-19). Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
7. ^ Juelz Santana (@thejuelzsantana) op Twitter. Twitter.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
8. ^ Daily News – : Police Raid Juelz Santana's Studio, Find Guns and Weed. Allhiphop.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
9. ^ Daily News – : NYPD Search Causes Juelz Santana To Miss Chris Brown Release Party. Allhiphop.com (2011-03-24). Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
10. ^ Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff (Video 2009). IMDB.com
11. ^ Paine, Jake. (2010-09-13) "The Project" Starring Juelz Santana Comes To DVD September 14 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales. HipHop DX. Retrieved on 2011-08-16.

External links

• Official site

Persondata
Name	Santana, Juelz
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1983-02-18
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death