James Campbell (born March 27, 1969), better known by his
stage name
A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...
s Freddie Foxxx and Bumpy Knuckles, is an American
rapper
Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...
and
music producer
A record producer is a recording project's creative and technical leader, commanding studio time and coaching artists, and in popular genres typically creates the song's very sound and structure.Virgil Moorefield"Introduction" ''The Producer as ...
from
Long Island, New York
Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18t ...
.
Biography
Foxxx got his start rapping in the early 1980s.
In 1986, he recorded "You Gotta Come Out Fresh / Handling Things" under the alias Freddie C. as a member of the Supreme Force (other members were Cool Cee and Easy E) on NIA Records. Later in 1986 he was slated to meet with producer
Eric B.
Louis Eric Barrier (born November 8, 1963) is an American rapper, producer and DJ for the golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim.
Eric B. & Rakim's album '' Paid in Full'' was named the greatest hip hop album of all time by MTV in 2006, an ...
who was searching for an MC to pair up with; Foxxx missed the meeting, and Eric B. ended up pairing up with MC
Rakim
William Michael Griffin Jr. (born January 28, 1968), better known by his stage name Rakim Allah or simply Rakim (), is an American rapper and record producer. One half of golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, he is widely regarded as one of t ...
and forming the group
Eric B. and Rakim.
Despite this, Foxxx's first
LP, ''
Freddie Foxxx Is Here
''Freddie Foxxx Is Here'' is the debut studio album by American East Coast hip hop artist Freddie Foxxx. It was released in 1989 via MCA Records, and is produced by Foxxx himself as well as Eric B. of Eric B. & Rakim.
Track listing
Sample credi ...
'', was produced entirely by Eric B. and Foxxx and was released in 1989 through
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc., which later became part of Universal Music Group.
Pre-history
MCA Inc., a powerful talent agency and a television production company, entered the recorded music business in 1962 w ...
. He soon parted ways with the label and became a member of
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), known professionally as Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, actress, and singer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, she signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1989 and released her debut album ''All Hail the Que ...
's
Flavor Unit
The Flavor Unit is a crew of emcees and DJs from New York City and Northern New Jersey. It is now known as the Unit. The original version of the crew centered on producer the 45 King. It was Mark's connections to radio personalities DJ Red Aler ...
establishment.
In 1993, only promo copies of his second album, ''Crazy Like A Foxxx'', were circulated when
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony. The label was founded predominantly as a jazz and classical m ...
decided to shelve it.
Foxxx then began to be known more for his cameos on songs by
Boogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions (BDP) was an American hip hop group originally composed of KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. DJ Scott La Rock was murdered on August 27, 1987, five months after the release of BDP's debut album, '' Criminal Minde ...
,
Naughty by Nature,
M.O.P.,
O.C. and, most notably, his appearance on
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Texas record producer DJ Premier and Massachusetts rapper Guru. For the entirety of their association, they were based out of Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2 ...
's ''The Militia'' from their ''
Moment of Truth'' album (1998). The song was issued as a
single, building a buzz for Foxxx and helping him to prep for his next full-length release.
This time around he applied the lessons he'd learned from previous experiences with major record labels, and went the
independent
Independent or Independents may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups
* Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s
* Independe ...
route. The ''
Industry Shakedown
''Industry Shakedown'' is the second studio album by American East Coast hip hop artist Freddie Foxxx, and his first release under his 'Bumpy Knuckles' alias. It was released on June 27, 2000, via KJAC Music and Landspeed Records, and was produc ...
'' album featured production from hip hop heavyweights
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin (born March 21, 1966), known professionally as DJ Premier (also known as Preemo), is an American record producer and DJ. He is considered one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time. He was half of the hip hop du ...
,
Pete Rock
Peter O. Phillips (born June 21, 1970), better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time, and is often mentioned alongside DJ ...
and
The Alchemist
An alchemist is a person who practices alchemy.
Alchemist or Alchemyst may also refer to:
Books and stories
* ''The Alchemist'' (novel), the translated title of a 1988 allegorical novel by Paulo Coelho
* ''The Alchemist'' (play), a play by Be ...
. The members of M.O.P. provided the album's only cameo.
After the success of ''Industry Shakedown'', Foxxx released his third official album, ''The Konexion'' (2003) via
Barely Breaking Even
Barely Breaking Even (BBE) is a British record label started by two DJs, Peter Adarkwah and Ben Jolly. The name BBE comes from The Universal Robot Band's 1982 track "Barely Breaking Even". It has two sublabels: Deep Funk, and Urban Theory. ...
. A less commercially successful affair, the album was nevertheless faithful to its predecessor in terms of style and content and featured contributions from frequent collaborator DJ Premier and
DJ Clark Kent.
Foxxx made significant contributions to the
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006
''WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006'' (subtitled ''Exciting Pro Wrestling 7'' in Japan), is a professional wrestling video game and developed by Yuke's that was released on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable by THQ in 2005. It is part of the '' ...
soundtrack. He contributed two songs, and made a guest appearance on another song. He also produced all of the hip hop songs. He also appeared on
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena ( ; born April 23, 1977) is an American part-time professional wrestler, actor, and former rapper. He is currently signed to WWE. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he is tied ...
's
WWE released album ''
You Can't See Me''.
In 2006, he released a
mixtape
A mixtape (alternatively mix-tape, mix tape or mixed tape) is a compilation of music, typically from multiple sources, recorded onto a medium. With origins in the 1980s, the term normally describes a homemade compilation of music onto a cassette ...
called ''Street Triumph'', in anticipation of his fifth album, ''Amerikkan Black Man''.
Bumpy Knuckles’ previously unreleased album ''
Crazy Like a Foxxx'' finally saw official release on July 29, 2008 on Fat Beats Records.
Discography
Albums
* 1989: ''
Freddie Foxxx Is Here
''Freddie Foxxx Is Here'' is the debut studio album by American East Coast hip hop artist Freddie Foxxx. It was released in 1989 via MCA Records, and is produced by Foxxx himself as well as Eric B. of Eric B. & Rakim.
Track listing
Sample credi ...
'' (
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc., which later became part of Universal Music Group.
Pre-history
MCA Inc., a powerful talent agency and a television production company, entered the recorded music business in 1962 w ...
)
* 1994: ''Crazy Like a Foxxx'' (Fat Beats Records)
* 2000: ''
Industry Shakedown
''Industry Shakedown'' is the second studio album by American East Coast hip hop artist Freddie Foxxx, and his first release under his 'Bumpy Knuckles' alias. It was released on June 27, 2000, via KJAC Music and Landspeed Records, and was produc ...
'' (Landspeed Records)
* 2003: ''Konexion'' (
BBE)
* 2008: ''Crazy Like a Foxxx (Official Re-Release)'' (Fat Beats Records)
* 2010: ''Music From The Man Vol.1'' (with
Jesse West
Jesse West, 3rd Eye (born December 4, 1967 in the South Bronx, New York) is a producer/rapper. Jesse grew up in the Bronx River Projects, where the Master/Teacher DJ Afrika Bambaataa founded the Universal Zulu Nation.
History
Born Jesse Willi ...
)
* 2011: ''Royalty Check'' (with
KRS-One
Lawrence "Kris" Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage names KRS-One (; an abbreviation of "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone") and Teacha, is an American rapper from New York City. He rose to prominence as part of ...
)
* 2011: ''Lyrical Workout'' (with
Statik Selektah)
* 2012: ''
Kolexxxion'' (with
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin (born March 21, 1966), known professionally as DJ Premier (also known as Preemo), is an American record producer and DJ. He is considered one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time. He was half of the hip hop du ...
) #US 195 #US R&B 31 #US Rap 22 #US Independent 33
* 2012: ''Ambition'' (with Statik Selektah)
* 2018: ''Pop Duke, Vol. 1'' (Produced by
Nottz)
Appearances
* 1986: "You Gotta Come Out Fresh"/"Handling Things" 12" release by Supreme Force (NIA Records) - No Album
* 1990: "Money in the Bank" (from the
Kool G Rap
Nathaniel Thomas Wilson (born July 20, 1968), better known by his stage name Kool G Rap (or simply G Rap), is an American rapper from Queens, New York City. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and a ...
&
DJ Polo
The Juice Crew was an American hip hop collective made up largely of Queensbridge, New York-based artists in the mid-to-late 1980s. Founded by radio DJ Mr. Magic, and housed by Tyrone Williams' record label Cold Chillin' Records, the Juice Cr ...
album ''
Wanted:Dead or Alive'')
* 1991: "Heal Yourself" (from the H.E.A.L. Foundation 12" single)
* 1992: "Ruff Ruff" and "The Original Way" (from the
Boogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions (BDP) was an American hip hop group originally composed of KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. DJ Scott La Rock was murdered on August 27, 1987, five months after the release of BDP's debut album, '' Criminal Minde ...
album ''
Sex and Violence'')
* 1993: "Hot Potatoe" (from the
Naughty by Nature album ''
19 Naughty III'')
* 1994: "One of Those Nightz" (from
The Almighty RSO
The Almighty RSO was an American hip hop group from Boston, Massachusetts. Members included MCs E-Devious (Marco Antonio Ennis, later known as Antonio Twice Thou), Ray Dog (Ray Scott, later known as Benzino), Tony Rhome and DJ Deff Jeff.
Histor ...
EP ''
Revenge of da Badd Boyz'')
* 1997: "Win the G (as Bumpy Knuckles)" (from the
O.C. album ''
Jewelz
''Jewelz'' is the second album by the rapper O.C. Unlike his debut, 1994's '' Word...Life'', ''Jewelz'' features a wider number of guest producers and rappers. Producer DJ Premier (who also oversaw and mixed other parts of the album) lends his ha ...
'')
* 1997: "M.U.G. (as Freddie Foxxx)" (from the
O.C. album ''
Jewelz
''Jewelz'' is the second album by the rapper O.C. Unlike his debut, 1994's '' Word...Life'', ''Jewelz'' features a wider number of guest producers and rappers. Producer DJ Premier (who also oversaw and mixed other parts of the album) lends his ha ...
'')
* 1998: "The Militia" (from the
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Texas record producer DJ Premier and Massachusetts rapper Guru. For the entirety of their association, they were based out of Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2 ...
album ''
Moment of Truth'')
* 1998: "I Luv" (from the
M.O.P. album ''
First Family 4 Life'')
* 1998: "M.O.B" (from the
Hussein Fatal album ''
In the Line of Fire
''In the Line of Fire'' is a 1993 American political action thriller film directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich and Rene Russo. Written by Jeff Maguire, the film is about a disillusioned and obsessed former C ...
'')
* 2000: "Keith & Bumpy (as Bumpy Knuckles)" (from the
Kool Keith
Keith Matthew Thornton (born October 7, 1963), better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper and record producer from The Bronx, New York City, known for his surreal, abstract and often profane or incomprehensible lyrics. Koo ...
album ''
Matthew
Matthew may refer to:
* Matthew (given name)
* Matthew (surname)
* ''Matthew'' (ship), the replica of the ship sailed by John Cabot in 1497
* ''Matthew'' (album), a 2000 album by rapper Kool Keith
* Matthew (elm cultivar), a cultivar of the Chi ...
'')
* 2000: "U Don't Wanna B.D.S." (from the
De La Soul
De La Soul () is an American hip hop trio formed in 1988 in the Amityville area of Long Island, New York. They are best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternati ...
album ''
Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump'')
* 2001: "Mind Frame" (from the
Pete Rock
Peter O. Phillips (born June 21, 1970), better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time, and is often mentioned alongside DJ ...
album ''
PeteStrumentals'')
* 2001: "How We Ride" (from
Da Beatminerz album ''
Brace 4 Impak
''Brace 4 Impak'' is the debut studio album by American hip hop production team Da Beatminerz. It was released in 2001 via Rawkus Records, and was produced entirely by Da Beatminerz. The album featured guest appearances from Apani B, Black Moon, ...
'')
* 2002: "Scram" (from the
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Jeffrey Allen Townes (born January 22, 1965), known professionally as DJ Jazzy Jeff (or simply Jazz), is an American disc jockey (DJ) and music producer. He was a member of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince with Will Smith. He is credited, alo ...
album ''
The Magnificent'')
* 2003: "Capture (Militia Pt. 3)" (from the
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Texas record producer DJ Premier and Massachusetts rapper Guru. For the entirety of their association, they were based out of Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2 ...
album ''
The Ownerz
''The Ownerz'' is the sixth studio album by the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, and the last released during Guru’s lifetime. It was released in June 24, 2003, by Virgin. It was well-received critically and boasts four singles, "Skills", "Rite Where U ...
'', also featuring Big Shug)
* 2005: "Flow Easy", "Keep Frontin'", "Know the Rep", and "Bad, Bad Man" (from the
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena ( ; born April 23, 1977) is an American part-time professional wrestler, actor, and former rapper. He is currently signed to WWE. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he is tied ...
album ''
You Can't See Me'')
* 2008: "If We Can't Build" (from
Akrobatik
Jared Bridgeman, better known by his stage name Akrobatik, is an American rapper from the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. He is also a part of the hip hop collective named The Perceptionists with Mr. Lif and DJ Fakts One, whic ...
album ''
Absolute Value
In mathematics, the absolute value or modulus of a real number x, is the non-negative value without regard to its sign. Namely, , x, =x if is a positive number, and , x, =-x if x is negative (in which case negating x makes -x positive), ...
'')
* 2008: "Prison Planet" (from the
East Coast Avengers album ''
Prison Planet'')
* 2008: "Damage" (feat.
Blaq Poet
Wilbur Bass (born May 31, 1969), better known as Blaq Poet, is an American rapper from Queensbridge, New York City.
Biography
Blaq Poet was first heard on the track "Beat You Down" from the Bridge Wars during 1987, a diss song towards KRS-O ...
) (from the DJ Revolution album ''
King of the Decks'')
* 2009: "Bumpy's Message" (skit on the
MF DOOM
Daniel Dumile ( ; July 13, 1971October 31, 2020), best known by his stage name MF Doom or simply Doom (both stylized in all caps), was a British-American rapper and record producer. Noted for his intricate wordplay, signature metal mask, and ...
album
Born Like This)
* 2009: "B. Boy" (feat.
Big Scoob
Stewart D. Ashby Jr. (born May 9, 1973) better known by his stage name Big Scoob is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri, who records for Strange Music.
Early life
Big Scoob spent his late adolescence and part of his early adulthood ...
,
Kutt Calhoun
Melvin Lewis Calhoun Jr. (born January 1, 1977), better known by his stage name Kutt Calhoun, is an American rapper and business executive from Kansas City, Missouri. After getting his start in the late 1990s underground rap scene of Kansas Ci ...
&
Skatterman) (from the
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates (born November 8, 1971), better known by his stage name Tech N9ne (pronounced "tech nine"), is an American rapper. In 1999, he and business partner Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. He has sold over two ...
album ''
K.O.D.
''K.O.D.'' (Acronym and initialism, initialism for ''King of Darkness'') is the ninth studio album by American rapping, rapper Tech N9ne; it was released on October 26, 2009, by Strange Music. The album features guest appearances from Three 6 Ma ...
'')
* 2010: "Take Money" (feat.
Rock) (from the
Marco Polo
Marco Polo (, , ; 8 January 1324) was a Venetian merchant, explorer and writer who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. His travels are recorded in '' The Travels of Marco Polo'' (also known as ''Book of the Marv ...
&
Ruste Juxx album ''
The eXXecution'')
* 2011: "DAMU" (feat.
Skatterman,
Messy Marv
Marvin Watson Jr. (born March 19, 1976), better known by his stage name Messy Marv, is an American rapper who began his career in the Fillmore District of San Francisco, California. Messy was also known as a collaborator in the rap group Kaalm ...
&
Jay Rock
Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr. (born March 31, 1983), better known by his stage name Jay Rock, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from Los Angeles. He signed to indie label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), in 2005. Under TDE, Rock secured a rec ...
) (from the
Big Scoob
Stewart D. Ashby Jr. (born May 9, 1973) better known by his stage name Big Scoob is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri, who records for Strange Music.
Early life
Big Scoob spent his late adolescence and part of his early adulthood ...
album ''
Damn Fool'')
* 2012: "Dumpin' Em All" (from the
DJ Nu-Mark album ''
Broken Sunlight'')
* 2014: "It's Nothin'" (feat.
Chi-Ali &
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena (born August 19, 1970), better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper from New York City. He began his music career as a member of hip hop group Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.), then forged a sol ...
) (from the
Diamond D
Joseph Kirkland (born April 5, 1968), better known by his stage name Diamond D, is an American hip hop MC and record producer from The Bronx, New York City, and one of the founding members of the Diggin' in the Crates Crew, abbreviated as D.I.T. ...
album ''
The Diam Piece
''The Diam Piece'' is the fourth studio album by American rapper Diamond D. The album was released on September 30, 2014, by Dymond Mine Records. The album features guest appearances from Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli, Elzhi, Skyzoo, Fat Joe, Chi A ...
'')
* 2014: "The Beast" (from
The Audible Doctor
Mark Vincent Woodford (born May 24, 1984 in Madison, Wisconsin), better known by his stage name The Audible Doctor, is a Brooklyn-based American record producer and underground rapper. The Audible Doctor has been credited as producer in criticall ...
album ''Can't Keep the People Waiting'')
* 2016: "Cold Freezer" (from the
Kool Keith
Keith Matthew Thornton (born October 7, 1963), better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper and record producer from The Bronx, New York City, known for his surreal, abstract and often profane or incomprehensible lyrics. Koo ...
album ''Feature Magnetic'')
* 2016: "Downward Spiral" (feat.
Onyx
Onyx primarily refers to the parallel banded variety of chalcedony, a silicate mineral. Agate and onyx are both varieties of layered chalcedony that differ only in the form of the bands: agate has curved bands and onyx has parallel bands. The ...
) (from the
Ras Kass
John R. Austin II (born September 26, 1973), better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is a member of the hip hop supergroup The HRSMN, along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt in 2014. He is also a member of the ...
album ''Intellectual Property: #SOI2'')
* 2016: "A.B.N" (feat.
Killer Mike
Michael Santiago Render (born April 20, 1975), better known by his stage name Killer Mike, is an American rapper, actor, and activist. Mike made his debut on Outkast's 2000 LP '' Stankonia'', and later appeared on their Grammy-winning single "T ...
) (from the
Big Scoob
Stewart D. Ashby Jr. (born May 9, 1973) better known by his stage name Big Scoob is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri, who records for Strange Music.
Early life
Big Scoob spent his late adolescence and part of his early adulthood ...
album ''
H.O.G.'')
* 2017: "4 Tha OG'z" (from the
MC Eiht album ''
Which Way Iz West
''Which Way Iz West'' is the thirteenth studio album by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on June 30, 2017 through Year Round Records and Blue Stamp Music. The album features guest appearances from WC, B-Real, The Lady of Rage, Bumpy Knuc ...
'')
* 2018: "Going Crazy" (from the
Myzery
Nene Encarnacion, also known as Myzery, is a Puerto Rican rapper based out of the Bronx in New York City. He was the first solo act signed with Psychopathic Records, and released his debut EP titled ''Para La Isla'' on the label in 1998. Followi ...
album PARA LA ISLA 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
* 2019: "Veterans Day" (feat.
B-Real
Louis Mario Freese (born June 2, 1970), known by his stage name B-Real, is an American rapper. Since 1991, he has been one of two lead rappers in the hip hop group Cypress Hill, along with Sen Dog. He has also been a part of the rap metal band ...
) (from the
Frank n Dank album ''St. Louis'')
* 2019: "Take Flight (Militia, Pt. 4)" (ft.
Big Shug
Cary Guy (born December 13, 1961), better known as Big Shug, is a rapper and actor from Boston, Massachusetts, a co-founder of Gang Starr and a member of the Gang Starr Foundation collective.
Biography
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Cary spen ...
) (from the
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Texas record producer DJ Premier and Massachusetts rapper Guru. For the entirety of their association, they were based out of Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2 ...
album ''
One of the Best Yet
''One of the Best Yet'' is the seventh and final studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on November 1, 2019. The album features previously unreleased and posthumous vocals from Guru, who died nine years prior to the album's rele ...
'')
Filmography
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foxxx, Freddie
1969 births
Living people
African-American male rappers
Rappers from New York (state)
East Coast hip hop musicians
Five percenters
Place of birth missing (living people)
African-American songwriters
People from Long Island
Songwriters from New York (state)
Hardcore hip hop artists
21st-century American rappers
21st-century American male musicians
21st-century African-American musicians
20th-century African-American people
American male songwriters
Gang Starr Foundation members