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Matthew "Knu York" Phipps is a native of New York city. Born and raised 17 years in the south Bronx. This bilingual emcee always had a passion to make music, but he did not take it serious until he was around 19 years of age. Growing up on the south Bronx streets with his mother addicted to "crack-cocaine" and his father moving to Texas when he was only 3 years old, Knu York was forced to take to the streets when he became a teenager. "Imagine having to sell drugs just to eat food, I didin’t do it because it was cool and I wanted to, I did it to survive," says Knu York. After dropping out of school and spending a little bit of time in jail Knu York was placed on probation for 5 years and his family thought it was time for a change in his life. At the age of 16 Knu York’s father had regained contact with him and wanted him to move to Texas. Knu York still had a grudge against his father for not being in his life so his brother that lived in Aurora(Aurcity), IL offered to take him in. Knu York moved to Aurora in July of 2002. At the age of 17 Knu York was going to go back to school after dropping out for a year and he had to start as a freshman. In school he met Kendrick "Optimo" Green. In March of 2005 Knu York hooked up with Optimo to record his first studio song ever entitled "Puff." The songs buzz spread quickly through Aurora, Optimo and Knu York kept recording more songs. Eventually Optimo and Knu York started a six member group entitled "Fox Croft Connection" otherwise known as F.c.c. The other members were made up of Timothy "T.Cee" Caldwell, Shontrez "Trez" Hughes, Oscar "Lil’ O" Rodriguez, and Davion "DJ" Johnson. After releasing two mixtapes entitled "AurTown Vol. 1," and "Still Aurtown Vol. 2," F.c.c. went from 6 members to 3. After graduating from High School Knu York came to a crossroad he had to choose between going to New York to attend college and be with family or stay in Aurora to pursue a music career. Choosing to stay in Aurora F.c.c. signed with Group Home Management. In late summer of 2006 the trio dropped a mixtape entitled AurSeason which most people view as the best c.d. they have heard any Aurora artists come out with thus far. Soon after the group parted ways with Group Home and was now independently represented. Differences between each other have forced the group to part ways from each other musically. Now with his daughter Mariyel Knu York is looking at things alittle differently. "I’m not the same person I was years ago. I have responsiblities now in my life. I have someone that relies on me and motivates me to be the best. I didn’t want to stop the group thing. A few disagreements have just made me want to focus more on myself," Knu York says. He has currently released his first solo mixtape entitled "From N.Y. to Aurcity." He is already working on his next mixtape titled "I Get Betta Wit Time" and a dvd. Knu York says "God has a plan for everybody. I know that at the end of my plan is success no matter if I stand alone or not." Bio by Melissa VazquezNorth Beach Performance
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Sapphirres Performance by Knu York & Nick Bean
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PERFORMANCES:
Premier Lounge, Carolstream, IL. Prisco Community Center, Aurora, IL. Hyde Park High School, Chicago, IL. EO Vannus, Joliet, IL. Puerto Rican Festival, Downtown Aurora, IL. Otto’s Niteclub, Dekalb, IL. Club One/ Club Nu a.k.a. Aurora Skate Center, Aurora, IL. The Barn, Willowbrook, IL. Sapphires a.k.a. Ven U , Joliet, IL. Stage 83, Lemont, IL. Bronzeville Community Clubhouse, Chicago, IL. RPM Custom Bikes, Aurora, IL. The HeadStone Inn a.k.a. The Office, Aurora, IL. The Bassment, Chicago, IL. Humboldt Park Puerto Rican Festival, Chicago, IL. N.V.U.S. Inc., Chicago, IL. Red Star Tavern, Aurora, IL. Chapalas, Aurora, IL. La Quierbrada Resturant a.k.a. Club Q, Elgin, IL. Pionner Tap, Forrest Park, IL. Elgin Community College Performing Arts Center, Elgin, IL. American Legion, Yorkville, IL. North Beach, Downers Grove, IL. El Pescador, Berwyn, IL.
