T Money (rapper)

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T Money (rapper)
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BornJanuary 4
Westbury, New York
NationalityEngland
Occupation
  • Rapper
  • Actor
  • Entrepreneur

T-Money (born Tyrone James Kelsie, January 4) is a rapper, actor, entrepreneur and former MTV Video Jockey. He was a member in the group Original Concept.[1] He was present in the evolution of hip hop as one of the original innovators of the sound with bass music using the 808 drum machine extending into the modern rap genre.[2][1][3] This can be found in their songs Knowledge Me and Pump That Bass.[2][4][5]

The element of vinyl spinning, rap freestyle, storytelling, and dance remain a key component in the theme of hip hop today, lending credit to T-Money as one of the originators of the sound for hip hop in the mainstream.[2][4][6]

Early life and education

T-Money was born and raised in Westbury, New York. He attended Westbury High School, where he was on the football team. In high school, he formed a DJ group, Concept Crew (renamed to Original Concept) with longtime friend, Doctor Dré.

He was also one of the DJ’s for the college radio station, WBAU 90.3 FM,[7] which included a host of other hip hop artists from that time, including Flavor Flav, Chuck D, Busta Rhymes, and his group member and friend Doctor Dré. In 1996, T-Money graduated from the New York Institute of Technology[8] with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, and in 2010, he earned a professional certificate in Marketing from New York University School of Professional Studies.

Original Concept

In 1985, T-Money, along with the other members of Original Concept, released the promo Knowledge Me, which aired on WBAU radio. T-Money wrote the lyrics, performed vocals, and co-produced the piece with Doctor Dré and Eric McIntosh.[9] After hearing the song, Rick Rubin signed the group to Def Jam Recordings.[1] Original Concept was one of the first of many artists to sign with Def Jam, which remains one of the most notable recording labels in the music industry today.[1] Their song Can You Feel It? went number #1 on Miami Radio in 1985.[5] In 1988, their album Straight from the Basement of Kooley High[10] was released by the label. Their song "Pump That Bass", is a frequently sampled song[11][8] in the hip hop genre.

Television and screen career

Yo! MTV Raps

T-Money was a co-host and comedic sidekick for Yo! MTV Raps with Doctor Dré and Ed Lover.[12][13][8]Yo! MTV Raps was a music variety show which included comedic sketches, music videos, live performances and appearances on the set. T-Money displayed his acting ability with the portrayal of several other popular characters, most notably: Uncle Bobo Lovetree, The Nubianator, Clarence Coldwater Capsule, and Michael Jackson at Forty. He was also featured on his own Yo! MTV Raps trading card which was #143 in the series.

The show ran from 1988 until 1995, with the last episode going down as a significant page in hip hop history[14][15].

Acting

After Yo! MTV Raps, T-Money began acting, using his stage name as his credits. He starred in Juice (1992) and Who's the Man? (1993).[8]

MTV VJ

From 1992 to 1993, T-Money vee-jayed on the MTV game show Lip Service, with host Jay Mohr.[16] During T-Money’s time on the show Lip Service won the CableACE Award in the game show category.[17] He also joined the MTV Spring Break’s popular annual lineup from 1990 until 1995.

Other ventures

T-Money developed his own promotions and brand marketing company, TM Media Works (2012), which has been renamed to T450 Style & Launch Inc.[18]Template:Better citation needed The company provides a variety of services for the entertainment industry.

In 2020, T-Money reunited with Ed Lover and Doctor Dré for Yo! Just Say Vote,[19][20] a live stream of who, what, where, how and why of voting.

Additionally, T-Money is currently an advisor with the Hip-Hop Education Center.[21]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label (First ed.). Rizzoli New York (published 2011). October 11, 2022. p. 55. ISBN 978-0847833719.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Larkin, Colin, ed. (1998). The Virgin encyclopedia of dance music: based on The encyclopedia of popular music (1. publ ed.). London: Virgin [u.a.] ISBN 978-0-7535-0252-5.
  3. LLC, SPIN Media (1988). SPIN MAGAZINE. SPIN Media LLC. p. 109.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Charnas, Dan (2011). The big payback: the history of the business of hip-hop (First New American Trade Paperback Library printing ed.). New York: New American Library. ISBN 978-0-451-23478-0.
  5. 5.0 5.1 LLC, SPIN Media (1989). SPIN MAGAZINE. SPIN Media LLC. p. 76.
  6. Coddington, Amy (2023-09-26). How Hip Hop Became Hit Pop: Radio, Rap, and Race. Univ of California Press. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-520-38392-0.
  7. "The Operating Room | Hip-Hop Radio Archive". hiphopradioarchive.org. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Daniels, Dawn Marie (2003). Souls of my brothers : Black men break their silence, tell their truths, and heal our spirits. New York: Penguin Publishing Group. pp. 237–238. ISBN 978-0452284609.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  9. "Tyrone James Kelsie Songwriter Index". ASCAP Songwriter Index.
  10. Original Concept - Straight from the Basement of Kooley High! Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2024-02-23
  11. "Original Concept Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  12. Gonzalez, Sandra (2018-04-18). "MTV is bringing back 'YO! MTV Raps'". CNN. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  13. "‎VPR Radio: Episode 9 T-Money of Yo! MTV Raps and T450 Style & Launch Live on VPR Radio on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  14. Blanchet, Brenton. "Exclusive: Here's the Trailer, Premiere Date, and Guest Lineup for 'Yo! MTV Raps'". Complex. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  15. Summers, Juana (August 9, 2023). "How 'Yo! MTV Raps' helped mainstream hip-hop". NPR.
  16. By (1992-02-20). "MTV NOW HAS 'LIP SERVICE' FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO LIP-SYNC". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  17. Herbert, Steven (1993-01-18). "HBO, 'Dream On' Big Winners in Cable Awards : Television: The cable network takes 32 of the 81 prizes in the 14th annual ACEs Disney Channel is second with 7". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  18. "Welcome T450 Style & Launch". T450 Style & Launch. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  19. "HOME". YOJUSTSAYVOTE. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  20. Turner, Ashley (2020-10-27). "Former 'Yo! MTV Raps' Hosts Come Together for Voting Special 'Yo Just Say Vote'". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  21. "People". Hip Hop Education Center. Retrieved 2024-02-12.

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