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I Self Devine

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I Self Devine
I Self Devine performing live in 2014
Background information
Birth nameChaka Mkali[1]
Also known asSelf One
Born1972 (age 51–52)[2]
Los Angeles, California[2]
OriginMinneapolis, Minnesota[3]
GenresHip hop, alternative hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, producer, activist
Years active1995–present
LabelsRhymesayers Entertainment

Chaka Mkali (born 1972), better known by his stage name I Self Devine, is an American hip hop musician based in Minneapolis. He has been a member of groups such as The Dynospectrum,[4] Micranots,[5] and Semi.Official.[6] In 2012, City Pages described him as "one of the most influential voices in Minnesota hip hop."[7]

Early life

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I Self Devine was born in Los Angeles, California and moved to Minnesota with his mother when she was accepted to the University of Minnesota's social work master's program.[8] He says, "The first time that I became aware of hip-hop was in 1979, when my mom gave me [The Sugarhill Gang's] 'Rapper's Delight,' the 12-inch."[8] He experimented with graffiti writing, freestyling, DJing, and breakdancing before starting to invest lots of time into rapping and graffiti.

Career

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I Self Devine released the solo debut album, Self Destruction, on Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2005.[9] He released the second solo album, The Sound of Low Class Amerika, on the label in 2012.[10] It was produced by Medium Zach of Big Quarters, DJ Todda, Benzilla, King Karnov, Vitamin D, Jake One, Proh Mic, and I Self Devine himself.[11] The album was preceded by four mixtapes, which were all released in early 2012.[12] In 2015, he released a collaborative album with Muja Messiah, titled 9th House.[13] In an interview with The Current radio station, he stated that he was expecting to release two albums in 2021: Rituals of Resilience and That Which Is Hidden.[8]

I Self Devine is celebrated for his live shows. Spectrum Culture wrote that he "is synonymous with a dynamic live show."[14]

Personal life

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I Self Devine has five children and has made efforts to prioritize his family over his career. He told The Current, "To think about emceeing or even being a community organizer – those are great things and have big impacts. But to me, when all of my kids are together, I feel rich beyond belief. I feel crazy wealthy, like I got gold as far as you can see."[8]

Discography

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See also: The Dynospectrum, Micranots § Discography, and Semi.Official § Discography

Studio albums

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  • Self Destruction (2005)
  • The Sound of Low Class Amerika (2012)
  • Rituals of Resilience (2021)
  • That Which Is Hidden (2022)

Collaborative albums

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Mixtapes

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  • LA State of Mind (2012)
  • The Upliftment Struggle (2012)
  • Reports from the Field: In the Trenches (2012)
  • The Shining Path (2012)

Singles

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  • "Ice Cold" b/w "All I Know" (2005)
  • "The Origin of Urban Crisis" (2012)
  • "IOFWUCUC" (2015) (with Muja Messiah)
  • "The Disruptor Suite" (2021)

Guest appearances

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  • Atmosphere – "Flesh" from God Loves Ugly (2002)
  • The Opus – "First Contact" from First Contact 001 (2002)
  • P.O.S – "I Play the Matador (Redo)" from Ipecac Neat (2004)
  • Oddjobs – "Stone Cold" from Expose Negative (2005)
  • Omega One – "I Want It All" from The Lo-Fi Chronicles (2005)
  • Cleveland Steamers – "Day by Day" from Treasure Chest (2006)
  • Leroy Smokes – "John Henry" from Love Hustle Theater (2006)
  • Big Quarters – "How to Kill Your Rap Career" from Cost of Living (2007)
  • Heiruspecs – "Broken Record" from Heiruspecs (2008)
  • Muja Messiah – "Patriot Act" from Thee Adventures of a B-Boy D-Boy (2008)
  • Doomtree – "Twentyfourseven" from Doomtree (2008)
  • Crushcon7 – "Fieldwerk" (2009)
  • Toki Wright – "The Law" from A Different Mirror (2009)
  • St. Paul Slim – "McArthur Park" from Bald Headed Samsun (2010)
  • Villa Rosa – "Chico" from Blue Diamond Island (2011)
  • IBE & Benzilla – "Casual Convo" from This, That and the Third (2013)

References

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  1. ^ McCormick, Zach (April 17, 2012). "Q&A: I Self Devine". The Wake. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Brown, Marisa. "I Self Devine – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  3. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (May 6, 2012). "Friday night wrap: I Self Devine release party, impromptu Beasties tribute". Star Tribune. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  4. ^ Gillespie, Blake (April 18, 2008). "Minneapolis is Rhymesayers". Impose Magazine. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  5. ^ Miyakawa, Felicia M. (2005). Five Percenter Rap: God Hop's Music, Message, and Black Muslim Mission. Indiana University Press. p. 98.
  6. ^ Beacham, Kevin (April 30, 2013). "H2 Local highlights – I Self Devine and DJ Abilities' collaboration Semi Official". The Current. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  7. ^ Gage, Jeff (May 2, 2012). "I Self Devine: Rhymesayers legend returns – The Sound of Low Class Amerika gets personal". City Pages. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d Johnson, Cecilia. "I Self Devine is playing the long game". www.thecurrent.org. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  9. ^ Mason, Stewart. "Self Destruction – I Self Devine". AllMusic. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  10. ^ Ortiz, Edwin (May 17, 2012). "I Self Devine – The Sound Of Low Class Amerika". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  11. ^ Elabbady, Ali (May 1, 2012). "I Self Devine: The Sounds of Low Class Amerika". Reviler. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  12. ^ Drake, David (May 7, 2012). "Stream I Self Devine's The Shining Path Mixtape". The Fader. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  13. ^ Thompson, Paul A. (November 30, 2015). "Muja Messiah / I Self Devine: 9th House". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  14. ^ "Interview: I Self Devine". Spectrum Culture. 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
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