Imani (rapper)
| Imani | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Emandu Rashaan Wilcox |
| Born | December 15, 1971 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1991 – present |
| Labels | Delicious Vinyl, Chapter One, CitizeStrange Music |
| Website | www.thepharcyde.com |
Emandu Rashaan Wilcox (born December 15, 1971),[1] better known as Imani is an American rapper of Ethiopian descent from California. He was one of the four founding members of the hip hop group The Pharcyde. He is currently working with the remaining member Bootie Brown on new projects on their indie label Chapter One.
Biography
Early years
Imani started with dancing where he met Slimkid3 (Trevant Hardson), Bootie Brown (Romye Robinson) and Fatlip (Derrick Stewart). Soon they started up with the hip-hop group The Pharcyde. After some years from 1989 to 2005 the group quit and he started with a solo career.
Career
Two For Two
Imani began his career in the entertainment industry as a dancer and choreographer under the moniker "Two For Two" with Bootie Brown and Slimkid3 who have made numerous appearances in music videos. Two For Two had its most notable exposure with a short stint on the television show 'In Living Color'.
The Pharcyde
As a member of The Pharcyde, Imani has contributed to the critically acclaimed Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde and its follow up release Labcabincalifornia. He also worked on the third full-length LP Plain Rap.
Imani and Bootie Brown, continuing with the group name, have since released an album titled Humboldt Beginnings with producer Spaceboy Boogie X. Imani is now working on the next album by The Pharcyde titled Eclectic Compassion.
Solo career
Imani has released some of his solo songs on his MySpace page.
Imani has released two albums exclusively in Japan: Sagittarius 71 Volume 1 and Dosier Volume 1 (produced by Spaceboy Boogie X) on Props Recording.
His solo album B L Q S T R D S T is soon to be released on Chapter One.
Collaborations
Imani was featured on the Danger Mouse and Jemini the Gifted One Ghetto Pop Life album track "Medieval" along with Bootie Brown and recorded "Almyghty Myghty Pythons" with Souls of Mischief & The Pharcyde.
In 2006, Imani was featured on the Joi track "Cloud Nine" with Bootie Brown. In 2011, Imani is featured on the Kushinator track "Time To Get High".
Politics
Imani has stated in interviews that he had been a strong supporter of Dennis Kucinich for the Democratic Presidential nomination and that he voted for Kucinich in the Presidential primaries.