Joell Ortiz

Infobox musical artist
Name = Joell Ortiz


Img_capt =
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Joell Ortiz
Born = birth date and age|1979|7|6
Died =
Origin = Brooklyn, New York, United States
Instrument =
Genre = Hip hop
Occupation = Rapper
Years_active =
Label = Koch Entertainment
Associated_acts = Immortal Technique, N.O.R.E., Fat Joe, Daddy Yankee, Akon
URL = [http://www.joellortiz.com www.joellortiz.com]
Notable_instruments =

Joell Ortiz (born July 6 1979) is a Puerto Rican rapper from Brooklyn, New York.

Biography

Early life

At the age of 17, Ortiz made the decision to pass on both an academic and basketball scholarship to stay in Brooklyn to take care of his mother who was, at the time, using drugs. He is Puerto Rican and hails from Cooper Park Projects. He was featured in the "Unsigned Hype" column of the March 2004 issue of "The Source" and was also selected as Chairman's Choice in "XXL". [http://www.latinrapper.com/featurednews45.html Latin Hip Hop Interview - "Joell Ortiz the Brooklyn Representer"] ] During the same time Ortiz also went on to win the 2004 EA Sports Battle which earned his song "Mean Business" a spot on the "NBA Live 2005" soundtrack.Fact|date=March 2008 The same year he was offered a contract to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label. The deal quickly soured, resulting in bad blood between Ortiz and Dupri. [http://www.myspace.com/joellortiz Joell Ortiz's Myspace - "About Joell Ortiz"] ] In 2007 he signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath record label.XXL Magazine. Joell Ortiz: A Hip-Hop Happy Ending by Brandon Edwards. November 2007] Joell has since collaborated with KRS-One and Kool G. Rap.

Music career

Debut album

Though signed to Aftermath, Ortiz released his debut album, "The Brick (Bodega Chronicles)", April 24 2007 on Koch Records. "The Brick" features productions by Showbiz and The Alchemist, among others. Guest artists include Big Daddy Kane, Styles P, Big Noyd, Akon, Immortal Technique, Grafh, and Ras Kass. [http://www.hiphopgame.com/news.php3?id=1469 HipHopGame.com News - "Joell Ortiz Set to Release The Brick"] ] [http://www.aftermathmusic.com/news/index_january_2007.html AftermathMusic.com News - "JOELL TO RELEASE "THE BRICK" // Jan 16, 2007] ] It sold 8000 copies in its first week.

Ortiz also appeared on Smif-n-Wessun's "", on the song "Stomp". In October 2007 Ortiz appeared on DJ Emz's remix of "Leyendecker", a song by the math rock band Battles. He also appeared in the music video for the remixed version of DJ Khaled's "I'm So Hood".

Departure from Aftermath

Ortiz parted ways with Aftermath Records on April 15, 2008. [ [http://www.defsounds.com/news/Joell_ortiz_speaks_on_leaving_aftermath [News Joell Ortiz Speaks On Leaving Aftermath ] ] According to Ortiz, he asked to be released from his contract with Aftermath. [ [http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/13584 Joell Ortiz Not Dropped From Aftermath? | Daily Hip-Hop News | SOHH.com / ] ] Ortiz has stated that he will be coming out with a new album as soon as possible, and he will continue to work with Dr. Dre.

2008: Grand Theft Auto IV, The Brooklyn Bomber

On the radio station The Beat 102.7, Joell Ortiz's song called Hip Hop is featured on the radio station. This is the remix version featuring Saigon and Jadakiss. Joell Ortiz came out with a mixtape called "The Brooklyn Bomber" in June. DJ Nice and Legend host the mixtape. [ [http://nahright.com/news/2008/06/11/dj-nice-legend-present-joell-ortiz-brooklyn-bomber-mixtape/ Nah Right » Blog Archive » DJ Nice & Legend Present: Joell Ortiz - Brooklyn Bomber (Mixtape) ] ] Emperor Chi has a single called "Black Spartan", featuring Ortiz and Saigon.

Discography

*"The Brick (Bodega Chronicles)", (2007, Koch)
**small|Singles: "Hip Hop", "Brooklyn", "Latino"
*" Free Agent", (2008, ???)
*small|Singles: Memories, Good Times

References

External links

* [http://www.joellortiz.com Official website]
* [http://www.unkut.com/2008/01/joell-ortiz-interview/ The Unkut Interview]
* [http://www.kovideo.net/music/video/Joell-Ortiz---Latino/1678.html Joell Ortiz - Latino Music Video] at KOvideo.net
* [http://www.thestateofhiphop.com/joell-ortiz-interview.html The State of Hip Hop - Joell Ortiz MC Improvement Interview]
* [http://www.formatmag.com/features/joell-ortiz/ Interview @ Format Mag]
* [http://media.libsyn.com/media/theraphype/Joell_Ortiz_Interview_Full.mp4 Joell Ortiz Video Interview] at The Rap Hype
* [http://www.djbooth.net/index/interviews/entry/joell-ortiz-interview/ The DJBooth: Joell Ortiz Interview] (Apr '07)
* [http://www.defsounds.com/news/Joell_ortiz_dropped_from_aftermath]
* [http://www.hoodhype.com/blog/?p=1117 Interview @ HoodHype.com] (February 2008)