Shawnna
Rashawnna Guy[1] (born January 3, 1978),[2] better known by her stage name Shawnna, is an American rapper. She was the first female artist signed to Def Jam South through Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace Records. She is a former member of the female Chicago rap duo Infamous Syndicate and she is also the daughter of the blues musician Buddy Guy.
Shawnna | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Rashawnna Guy |
| Also known as | Queen of Chicago |
| Born | January 3, 1978 |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, songwriter |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts | |
| Website | https://www.twitter.com/shawnnamusic |
She is known for her rapid-fire delivery and her sexually explicit image and lyrics. She is one of the female rappers to ever have a number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100, with 2003's "Stand Up" with Ludacris.
Music career
Early career
An MC from the south side of Chicago and the daughter of blues guitarist Buddy Guy, Shawnna began writing rhymes while in high school. She got her first break in 1997, when her duo, Infamous Syndicate, opened for Junior M.A.F.I.A. in Chicago. Infamous Syndicate signed to Relativity a year later and released Changing the Game in 1999. The album did not live up to its title, despite production help from No I.D. and Kanye West, the duo was dropped and eventually split. She then went on to team with Ludacris where she was featured on his song "What's Your Fantasy". Before she recorded her first album, Shawnna was featured on the remix to the song "Loverboy" by Mariah Carey for the album and movie Glitter. She was featured in the video along with Ludacris, Da Brat, and Twenty II.
Worth tha Weight (2002–04)
Shawnna's debut album Worth tha Weight, originally scheduled to be released in October 2002, was delayed until September 28, 2004 and was released with little promotion due to disputes at Def Jam. Her album was well received by critics, and spawned the singles "Shake Dat Shit" and "Weight a Minute". She was also a character in Def Jam Fight For NY in 2004.
Block Music
Shawnna's second album Block Music was released on June 27, 2006. Its sales have been initially lower than expected. The album has so far sold more than 260,000 copies worldwide. In preparation of the album, Shawnna teamed up with Clinton Sparks, one of Rolling Stone′s Top 10 mixtape producers, to release the official prelude to the album titled Block Music: The Mixtape.
Discography
- Worth tha Weight (2004)
- Block Music (2006)
Video game appearances
Shawnna is a playable character in the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY.
References
- Kellman, Andy. "Shawnna Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- "Background Check & People Search Powered by Intelius". Intelius.com. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
