Hanif-Jamiyl has been writing, recording, and performing since the age of 10. In 1994, while most high school kids were trying to figure out what college to attend, he was discovered in a local record store in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts as part of Maspyke, the MA-based group of which he is a member along with DJ Roddy Rod and Tableek. Maspyke eventually signed with Elektra Records, giving Hanif the opportunity to write and record with the likes of Doug E. Fresh, Q-Tip, Wordsworth, Chante Moore, Al B. Sure, Ronny Jordan, Toshi Kubuta and Robyn. In 2000 he and Maspyke founded Bukarance Records and began releasing indie/underground bangers worldwide. In today’s rap music world of studio gangsters, pimps, and thugs, Hanif-Jamiyl remains none of the above. Instead, he offers a more mature alternative for the hip-hop listener over 21. With a trademark voice, witty, unpredictable lyrics, and a flow reminiscent of the “Golden Eraâ€, Hanif-Jamiyl is truly the hip-hop Marvin Gaye. Hanif-Jamiyl has traveled the planet and shared the stage with some of the most respected artists in the business such as Mos Def, Slick Rick, Xzibit, The Clipse, Kardinal Offishall, Talib Kweli, Planet Asia, Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Nore, Royce Da 5’9â€, Heltah Skeltah, P.R.T., Zion I, Unspoken Heard, EPMD and J-Live, and has performed at legendary venues like BB King’s, S.O.B.'s, Lyricist Lounge, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Elements, MJQ's and many more.
.."Wet Dream" by Hanif-Jamiyl
Question: What would happen if Q-Tip, Rakim, Pharrell and Prince decided to record an album together??? Well, that will never happen, but the result might sound something like Hanif-Jamiyl’s debut solo album: KRUSHED GRAPES.
- VIBE magazine -Krushed Grapes is a sexy, nasty, yet classy taste of the lost art of hip-hop and R&B. According to Hanif, "This whole album is influenced by the female creature...men will feel this album... but women will taste it." Largely devoted to the art of “movin' buttsâ€, this record will be a dancefloor favorite. With beats by the likes of producers 88-Keys and Allstar as well as Belief, Fire, Jbless and Le Ne, it feels like a classic hip-hop/R&B music lover’s wet dream. This project will be something special, something new that gives you that old feeling, so lift your glasses and let's toast to music - good music, and the undeniable power that it has over the female body.
