Born and raised in Brooklyn’s own Sumner Housing Projects (aka Sumnerville, aka Outta Bounds NYC), ILLA made the transition from street Pharmacist to rising MC stardom. As Brooklyn’s fastest upcoming MC in the late nineties and early 2000s he was recognized as the next Biggie Smalls by many seasoned vets in the rap game. After making a memorable appearance on Mobb Deep’s Hell On Earth LP (“Can’t Get Enough Of It”), ILLA had the misfortune of falling victim to the streets.
Illa Ghee produced by 5th Legend – “Radio Rap is Not Ill”
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As a result of this encounter with the law, ILLA had to do a 6-year bid in VA, and postpone his spot as BK’s next boss. Upon his release in 2002, ILLA picked up right where he left off before his incarceration. He recorded at a break neck pace and, found himself being placed in DJ Kay Slay’s “Best of Freestyles” top ten for his “3 Million Freestyle”. Soon after, Ghee recorded “Medicine Rap” featuring Prodigy of Mobb Deep. The song made it’s way onto DJ Kay Slay’s Street Sweepers Vol. 5 edition mixtape. After the Street Sweepers mixtape flooded the streets, ILLA GHEE appeared on Mobb Deep’s LandSpeed released “Free Agents” Mixtape, which sold over 650,000 copies.
Still unsigned but working at a feverish pace, ILLA GHEE managed to appear on DJ Big Mike’s West Coast Mixtape, Mobb Deep’s Murda Muzik Soundtrack, DJ Mello’s Chemical Files Mixtape, P-Cutta’s Street Wars 12 Mixtape, DJ Premier’s Step Ya Game Up Mixtape, DJ Onpoint’s Exclusive Radio Mixtape Vol. 1, DJ Kay Slay’s Street Sweepers Protect Ya Neck Mixtape, and the Payola Bros. Street Beef Vol. 8.
During this time Mobb Deep began to experience bad publicity within industry circles. Although ILLA remained loyal to his long time Mobb Deep fam, he was unfazed by the industry politics that began to follow him because of his Mobb Deep affiliation. ILLA kept working and his hard work finally paid off. World famous hip hop producer The Alchemist, tapped Illa Ghee to appear alongside himself, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and Nina Sky on the street anthem “Hold U Down”. Armed with just his lyrical talent and veteran work ethic, ILLA produced one of the hottest verses of the year like the famed:
“For all da niggaz I war for, blow the 44 for” and, made a name for himself by holding his own with the other heavyweights on the song.
He raised the bar for other up and coming unsigned artists by appearing on a Top 40 radio hit, receiving over 200 BDS Spins per week, and having a video aired on BET’ and MTV. With the help of Mixtape Merchants Ent., ILLA completed 6 highly acclaimed street mixtapes.
- Body Music
- Best Known Secret (DJ Pistol Pete hosted)
- Closed Session (featuring Prodigy of Mobb Deep)
- New York Crunk
- When Illa Attacks (Primo Beats)
- Myrtle & Throop
- Bullet and A Bracelet (critically acclaimed full length LP)
Website: www.illaghee.com
Twitter: @ILLAGHEE2K Producer: @the5thlegend
