Belly (rapper)
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Ahmad Balshe (born April 7, 1984), better known by his stage name Belly, is a Palestinian-Canadian Juno Award-winning rapper.
Born in Jenin, Palestine, his musical career has been based in the Ottawa, Ontario. In addition to a Juno, he has won two MuchMusic Video Awards and has twice attained a top chart position in the national Much Music Countdown. His stage name of Belly/Rebellyus was derived from the term "rebellious."
Career
In April 2007, Belly released the video for his second single "Don't Be Shy" featuring Nina Sky, as well as the video for "History of Violence" (produced by Whosane?), which remains his most controversial record to date. In "History of Violence," Belly explains his views on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the War in Iraq.[1]
Shortly after, he released "I'm the Man" featuring Kurupt and it was premiered as the "Big One" on MuchMusic station. He also released a video for "Smells Like Money" (produced by Whosane?) on MySpace in early October 2007.
In late October 2007, his third single featuring Mario Winans entitled "Ridin'" was released. The video features Mario Winans, model KD Aubert, who plays Belly's lead-girl, and Dr. Benjamin Chavis.
Go Sens go
During the 2007 NHL Playoffs, as the Ottawa Senators were competing, Belly released a single entitled "Go Sens Go" (produced by Whosane?). When the Senators made the Stanley Cup Finals, Belly released a second version of the song which featured goaltender Ray Emery. The "Go Sens Go" song was a huge success among Ottawa Senator fans.[2]
2007: The Revolution
His debut album, The Revolution, was released on June 5, 2007. This double disc album was divided into two sections: "The People" and "The System." "The People" contained more in depth songs, such as "History of Violence" (produced by Whosane?), "Follow Me," and "Revolutionary," where he challenges his listeners to discover the facts regarding the Middle-East situation. Other songs on this disc include "People Change" (produced by Whosane?), "Leave me Alone," where he talks about his long time friends and the memories that he kept from them. "The System" contained his hit singles "Don't Be Shy," "Ridin'," and "Pressure"
The Revolution achieved Gold status in Canada and won the 2008 Juno Award for "Rap Recording of the Year".[3] Singles from The Revolution won two MuchMusic Video Awards for "Best Rap Video"; "Pressure" in 2007 and "Ridin'" in 2008.
2008: Police raid
A major police raid was conducted at the artist's home in Greely, Ontario on August 15, 2008 based on a search warrant to seek firearms there. However, the only items of note found in this raid were three BB guns that were purchased from a Canadian Tire store.No charges were laid and Belly later commented that the raid "was a waste of Ottawa taxpayers' money, but now my neighbours can see that I don't have anything to hide."[4]
2009: SE7EN
Belly is currently in Miami, Florida working with some of the industry’s most notable producers and artists. (Jim Jonsin, Blackout Movement, Snoop Dogg, Diaz Brothers, DJ Infamous, Da Heala and more). The first single "Hot Girl" featuring Snoop Dogg is released begin August 2009, the video of the single is in the making.
A new mixtape is going to be released in mid August "DJ Smallz Presents: Back For the First Time Vol. 1". Artists featured on the mixtape will be Snoop Dogg, Drake, Kurupt, Stack Bundles, Bynoe and Belly’s brother Truth.
Controversy
Recently Belly has caused strife with the rap community in Canada when he proclaimed himself the "Godfather of Canada". Many rappers feel that Belly has elevated himself to a level which is above his actual status as a rapper. They feel that well he has become a popular rapper there has been many Canadian rap pioneers before him, such as Miastro Fresh Wes, Rascalz, and others. Many feel that if he is speaking in terms of "street cred" (creditability) that being from Ottawa he never came from the same social struggle that rappers from cities like Toronto, Manitoba or Vancouver have, and he has been called a "studio gangster". This has caused a similar smaller scale "beef" between rappers similar to what has been seen with B.I.G. / Tupac and 50cent / Rick Ross, among others, in the US. Many videos can be found on youtube as "diss" tracks toward Belly and threats that if he was to come to Toronto he would be ran out of town or murdered.[citation needed]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Information | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Revolution
|
|
| 2009 | SE7EN
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | |||
| 2007 | "Pressure" (feat. Ginuwine) | 10 | The Revolution |
| "Don't Be Shy" (feat. Nina Sky) | 45 | ||
| "Ridin'" (feat. Mario Winans) | 80 | ||
| 2008 | "Get To Know You" (feat. Keshia Chanté) | 74 | TBA |
| 2009 | "Hot Girl" (feat. Snoop Dogg) | SE7EN |
Collaboration in singles by other artists
- "Rush the Floor" by Massari feat. Belly (2006)
- "Private Dancer" by Danny Fernandes feat. Belly (2008)
- "Amnesia" by Caspian feat. Belly (2009)
- "Bottles High" by Fresh ft. Belly (2009)
Official mixtapes
- DJ Kool Kid Presents: Death Before Dishonor: Vol. 1 (2005)
- DJ Kay Slay Presents: Death Before Dishonor: Vol. 2 (2006)
- Big Mike Presents: Death Before Dishonor: Vol. 3 (2007)
- Hate Me Now or Love Me Forever: Vol. 1 (TBA)
- DJ Smallz Presents: Back For the First Time Vol. 1 (2009)
Awards & Nominations
- 2007: Won MuchVibe Best Rap Video for Pressure
- 2008: Won MuchVibe Best Rap Video Ridin' Ridin
- 2008: Won Juno Award Hip Hop Recording of The Year
See also
References
- ^ "Belly shoots from the gut". Retrieved June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Champions, baby". Retrieved May 18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ CP Records Releases New Belly and Keshia Chante single "Get To Know You"
- ^ "Police gun raid on rapper's home a total bust". Ottawa Citizen. 17 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
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