Dwight Grant (born on March 6, 1974), also known as Beanie Sigel,
is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently
he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and
is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella
Records where he had formed a close association with rappers Jay-Z,
Freeway and other former and current artists on the Roc-A-Fella
roster. His stage name comes from a street in South Philadelphia,
the rapper's former stomping grounds where he worked alongside
Senior Durham in the projects. He has sold more than two million
albums worldwide. He decided to end his career in middle 2010 when
he made his last song, "I Go Off" with 50 Cent who had
signed Grant to his G-Unit Records label in 2009, in early 2011
Grant appeared in Travis Barker album Give the Drummer Some, saying
that it was the end of his career. In May 31, 2011 Grant apologized
to his former boss Jay-Z. But in an interview with DJ Green Lantern,
he said that he had never "apologized" to Jay-Z, and
that he was still making music.
In 2002, Sigel and much of the Roc roster starred in a Dame Dash-produced
movie entitled State Property. Its release coincided with the
creation and promotion of State Property, a group of artists signed
to Roc-A-Fella that hailed from Philadelphia and organized by Sigel
and Freeway. Its members included Peedi Crakk, the Young Gunz Chris,Neef,
Oschino and Omilio Sparks. Their first collaboration was for the
movie's soundtrack, an eponymous release that featured the original "Roc
the Mic" by Sigel and Freeway.[6] They followed up with 2003's
The Chain Gang Vol. 2, featuring the single "Can't Stop, Won't
Stop" by the Young Gunz; the record was nominated for a Grammy
Award for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group.
In 2005 Sigel finished his 3rd album, The B. Coming, and shot multiple
videos, directed by Joe Briscella, before he had to start he got
arrested. During this time, Jay-Z ascended to the Presidency of Def
Jam Records, causing former business partners Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke
to split off and form the Dame Dash Music Group. Sigel's B. Coming
was released on DDMG and Def Jam rather than Roc-A-Fella, but contained
production from a slew of Roc/Jay-Z-affiliated producers including
Chad West, The Neptunes, Just Blaze, Boola and Buckwild. Artists
from both sides of the split were present on the record, from State
Property members to Cam'ron and Jay-Z; the record spawned Sigel a
hit with "Feel it in the Air," sold 131,000 copies in its
first week.[8]
Advertising his friendship with the incarcerated Beanie, Dash publicly
claimed the artist was leaving the roster with him; during the sentence,
State Property was thrown into turmoil, eventually choosing to remain
at Roc-A-Fella—apparently against Sigel's wishes. Upon his
release, Beanie called the loyalty of his group into question and
stated that he was signing with Dame and Biggs courtesy of a stronger
casual relationship with the pair than with Jay-Z:
“
I've never been around Jay on an off day. It ain't like I made a
choice of running with Dame and Biggs or 'Dame and Biggs held me
down through my whole trial.' It's not that. I would be a sucker
if I said I [signed with the Damon Dash Music Group] because they
did that for me. It's love. You see how we chillin' now, this ain't
about no business.[9] ”
Soon after, he clarified his comments, saying he simply didn't want
to be involved in the conflict and electing to re-open talks with
Roc-A-Fella instead of moving to DDMG.[9]
[edit] The Solution (2006-2007)
In 2006 Sigel resigned with Roc-A-Fella Records & started to
recording for his fourth studio album The Solution.[10] On October
29, 2007 Sigel released the first single off The Solution entitled "All
The Above" which featured R. Kelly it debuted on the U.S. R&B
charts at #83. On May 22, 2007 Sigel released The Solution it debuted
on the Billboard charts at #37.
[edit] The Classic (2009-Present)
In 2009 after finally getting out of his contracts with Roc-A-Fella & Def
Jam. Beanie Sigel released his first Independent album The Broad
Street Bully. In 2010 Sigel announced he was working on his fifth
studio album entitled The Closure which was to be released from Universal
Republic and G-Unit Records.[11] But on May 31, 2011 Sigel cancelled
the album & retired from the music industry. But just after two
weeks he later returned and started working on the album again. He
then also renamed the album as The Classic.In 2011 Sigel signed with
50 Cent's subsidary label G-Unit Philly and renewed his contract
with G-Unit Records from 2009 [1]. On July 13, 2011 Sigel released
his first single from the album entitled "B-Boy Stance".[12]
[edit] Other ventures
[edit] Acting career
Beanie Sigel first appeared in the documentary "Backstage" but
his first main role was in the hood movie State Property which spawned
a sequel "State Property 2". Sigel released a DVD shortly
after his third solo release "The B. Coming" entitled "The
B. Coming of Beanie Sigel"in the year of 2005.[13] Sigel also
auditioned for the lead role of the 2009 film "Notorious"[14]
Beanie Sigel also appeared in the 2011 film Rhyme and Punishment
a documentary about Hip-Hop artist who have served time in county
jail or state/federal prison. The film features an interview with
Beanie Sigel where he discusses his conviction and life in prison.
[edit] Controversy
[edit] Jadakiss
The new millennium also saw various Roc artists, including Sigel,
engage in a conflict with artists from Ruff Ryders.[15] Beanie was
a forerunner of the beef, publicly decrying Jadakiss, the rest of
the L.O.X. and DMX. While Sigel and Jadakiss both denied any violent
intent, they continued to send shots back and forth until Beanie
put out a freestyle over Jada's hit "Put Ya Hands Up".[16]
[edit] Personal life
[edit] Religion
Beanie Sigel practices the Islamic faith along with Freeway.[17]
[edit] Friendship with Scarface
Conversely, Sigel cultivated a friendship with southern rapper Scarface.[15]
Having first appeared together on "This Can't Be Life" with
Jay-Z from Dynasty, the two would go on to collaborate on Sigel's
first two records, Scarface's The Fix, and later on Sigel's 2007
album The Solution.[15]
[edit] Legal issues
In 2004, Sigel was found guilty of federal weapons charges and sentenced
to a year and a day in federal prison. In 2010, Sigel was charged
with three counts of failing to file income tax returns between 2003-2005
on earnings of over $9.2 million.
[edit] Discography
Main article: Beanie Sigel discography
Studio albums
2000: The Truth
2001: The Reason
2005: The B. Coming
2007: The Solution
TBA: The Classic[18]
Independent albums
2009: The Broad Street Bully
Collaboration albums
2002: State Property OST (with State Property)
2003: The Chain Gang Vol. 2 (with State Property)
2010: The Roc Boys (with Freeway)
[edit] Fimography
Films
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Backstage As himself Cameo/Documentary
2002 Brown Sugar As himself Cameo
State Property Beans Main Role
Paper Soldiers Stu Main Role
2003 Death of a Dynasty Charles "Sandman" Patterson Support
Role
2004 Fade to Black As himself Cameo/Documentary
2005 State Property 2 Beans Main Role
2007 Beef IV As himself Cameo/Documentary