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Keak da Sneak

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Keak da Sneak
Keak da Sneak in 2008
Keak da Sneak in 2008
Background information
Birth nameCharles Kente Bowens
Also known asKeak Da Sneak
Born (1977-10-21) October 21, 1977 (age 47)
Brewton, Alabama, U.S.
OriginOakland, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active1992–present
Labels
  • E1
  • Koch
  • Thizz
  • Moe Doe
  • Black Market
  • Out of Bounds
  • R.E.X.
  • AllNDaDoe
  • Ehustl
Formerly of

Charles Kente Williams (né Bowens; born October 21, 1977), better known by his stage name Keak da Sneak, is an American rapper from Oakland, California. He is known for his gravelly voice,[1][2] for coining the term hyphy in 1994,[3] and for his contributions to the hyphy movement.[4]

He has collaborated with E-40.

Early life

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Keak da Sneak was born in Brewton, Alabama. As a newborn, he moved to Oakland, California. He found popularity while attending Allendale Elementary School, which he parlayed into later friendships and talent show performances at Oakland's Bret Harte Junior High. Through theater, Keak met his collaborator Agerman.

Career

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Keak and Agerman formed Dual Committee when Keak was 15 years old. The duo's performances were first recorded on "Murder Man" and "Stompin in My Steel Toes" on C-BO's 1994 EP, The Autopsy. Citing the personal growth of all three artists, he later signed as a solo artist with Sacramento-based Moe Doe Records.[5] As a result of the signing, he began to receive more radio airplay, especially on San Francisco hip-hop station KMEL.

3X Krazy

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Main article: 3X Krazy

By the end of their junior year in high school, he and his collaborators had added rapper B.A. to form the group 3X Krazy. Their first EP, Sick-O, was released independently on August 5, 1995. In 1996 they signed to Virgin Records, releasing the album Stackin' Chips on March 8, 1997 (with help from the single Keep It on the Real; the album received national attention), the second album Immortalized, and then the release of Real Talk 2000 on January 18, 2000.[6] The last 3X Krazy album, a collection of previously unreleased material and remixed songs from Sick-O, was flowamatic-9, which was released in 2004. The group eventually disbanded.

Solo career

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After years hustling in the underground scene, Keak began to see mainstream success in 2004 with the song Super Hyphy. His 2006 collaboration with E-40, Tell Me When to Go, received national attention.[1] In total, Keak da Sneak has released almost 20 albums and several mixtapes.

Television

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Keak was featured on MTV's My Super Sweet 16.[7]

Personal life

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Keak da Sneak has been married to his wife, Dee Bowens, a former clothing designer, since February 14, 2004. He has four children.

After surviving a shooting, Keak began carrying a firearm for protection, which led to a 2017 charge for firearm possession as a convicted felon. During the trial, Keak was targeted in another shooting; he was shot eight times, fell into a three-day coma, and was left paralyzed.[8] He now uses a wheelchair to get around.[9]

After a two-year legal battle, Keak was sentenced to 16 months in state custody. He served five months of his sentence at California Health Care Facility before being released early due to Proposition 57. Now using a wheelchair, Keak returned home to his family after his release from custody.[10]

Discography

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Solo albums

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Collaboration albums

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Compilation albums

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  • The Farm Boyz (Special Edition) (2006)

Soundtrack albums

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  • Copium (2005)

Singles

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List of singles as featured artist
Title Year Album
"Memphis Cakalac Oakland"
(Natalac featuring Project Pat & Keak Da Sneak) 		2018 Pimp of the Nation

References

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  1. ^ a b Cabrera, Marc (June 11, 2008). "Keak Da Sneak is back, with several guests". The Mercury News. Retrieved January 29, 2023. Keak Da Sneak has become, for many, the hip-hop voice of the Bay Area. It's a gravel-toned, jagged-edged, smoked-too-much-growing-up-in-Oaktown growl that cuts through a track like a diamond slicing glass.
  2. ^ "Raspy-Voiced Bay Area Legend Keak Da Sneak Announces Withdrawl, Releasing November 3". October 6, 2017. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2023. Keak Da Sneak is renowned for his rubbery flow and raspy drawl.
  3. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (June 13, 2016). "An Oral History of Hyphy". Complex. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Harshaw, Pendarvis (June 23, 2021). "A Hyphy History with Producer Trackademicks". KQED. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Birchmeier, Jason. Keak Da Sneak. AllMusic
  6. ^ Birchmeier, Jason. 3X Krazy. AllMusic
  7. ^ "Nicole". My Super Sweet 16. Season 3. Episode 8. June 27, 2006. MTV. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  8. ^ Noceda, Kristofer; Hern, Jodi; ez (August 21, 2017). "Popular Rapper Keak Da Sneak Shot in Richmond: Police". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  9. ^ Hardee, Howard (May 28, 2019). "da Sneak attack". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved January 29, 2023. A Bay Area rapper living in Sacramento started carrying a gun after he was shot twice. Now Keak da Sneak faces prison in a wheelchair.
  10. ^ Voynovskaya, Nastia (October 2, 2019). "'It Made Me Appreciate Life': Keak Da Sneak Celebrates Prison Release at Rolling Loud". KQED. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
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