Arabian Prince facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arabian Prince
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Arabian Prince in 2018
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kim Renard Nazel |
| Also known as | Professor X |
| Born | June 17, 1965 Compton, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Labels |
|
Kim Renard Nazel, born on June 17, 1965, is an American rapper and music producer. He is widely known by his stage names Arabian Prince or Professor X. He was one of the first members of the famous music group N.W.A. He helped create several songs for their early albums, including N.W.A. and the Posse (1987) and Straight Outta Compton (1989). He left the group shortly before Straight Outta Compton was released.
Contents
Early Life and Music Start
Kim Renard Nazel was born in Compton, California. His father, Joseph "Skippy" Nazel Jr., was an author and radio host. Kim's mother was a piano teacher and classical musician, which gave him his musical background. His family tried to keep him safe by sending him to a Catholic school. They also kept him busy with football.
Kim first started making music at his father's radio station. He used the station's equipment to create mixtapes. He would then sell these mixtapes at school. Later, he graduated from Junípero Serra High School in Gardena.
Becoming Arabian Prince
Kim Nazel first used the stage name DJ Prince. He sold his mixtapes at school. While working at a pet shop, the owner, Sam Nassif, asked him to DJ a party. Kim performed there for several weekends. This success led Nassif to invest more in the place, which they called "The Cave." Kim continued to DJ there for over three years. Nassif also helped fund DJ Prince's first record, "Strange Life."
When he was 15, a fan suggested his new stage name, Arabian Prince. This happened at Skateland USA, a skating rink known for helping start N.W.A. He explained how he got the name:
I called myself DJ Prince at first; back in the day, I always used to dress like Prince. That was the thing in the early '80s — either you dressed like Prince or you dressed like Michael Jackson. I used to wear the tight parachute pants, and I had the trim moustache, the whole thing. One day I was DJing at a skating rink. I was with Egyptian Lover, that was my boy, still is. This girl comes up to us and asks us our names. And he's like, "I'm Egyptian Lover." And I'm like, "I'm DJ Prince." She looks at me and goes, "I always see you two together. You should call yourself Arabian Prince." And I guess that just stuck.
Music Career Highlights
Arabian Prince began working with Bobby Jimmy & the Critters in 1984. He also produced the popular song "Supersonic" for the group J.J. Fad.
In 1987, he became a founding member of N.W.A. He helped produce some songs and sang on "Panic Zone" from N.W.A. and the Posse. He also sang on "Something 2 Dance 2" from Straight Outta Compton (1989). This song was later removed from some versions of the album. Arabian Prince left N.W.A in late 1988. This was due to disagreements about money and contracts. He said he was not paid for touring or for record sales. After he left, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and MC Ren were the main singers. DJ Yella was the DJ, and Dr. Dre was the main producer.
After leaving N.W.A, Arabian Prince started his solo music career. His first album, Brother Arab, came out in 1989. It included the single "She's Got A Big Posse." His next album, Where's My Bytches, was released in 1993.
In the mid-2000s, he started making music again. He released music under the name Professor X on a Dutch record label. He explained that he used a different name because he already had a single out as Arabian Prince. In 2007, he performed as a DJ on a tour with artists from the Stones Throw label. In 2008, Stones Throw released a collection of his electro-rap songs from the 1980s. One of his songs was also featured in the 2007 video game, College Hoops 2K8.
In 2015, a movie about N.W.A called Straight Outta Compton was released. However, Arabian Prince was not shown in the film. He later said that he was present for many real-life scenes that were in the movie, but he was not included. He also mentioned that he was the main person who questioned the group's manager, Jerry Heller, about money. In the movie, this role was given to Ice Cube.
In 2016, N.W.A was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Arabian Prince was not included or mentioned in this honor either.
More recently, Arabian Prince has appeared on albums by the industrial-metal band Ministry. He was on their AmeriKKKant album in 2018 and their Moral Hygiene album in 2021.
Other Work
Besides his music, Arabian Prince has also worked in other fields. He has experience in special effects, 3D animation, and video games.
Discography
Solo Albums
- Strange Life (1984)
- It Ain’t Tough (1985)
- Take You Home Girl / Innovator (1985)
- Situation Hot (1986)
- Freak City (1986)
- Professor X (Saga) (1989)
- Brother Arab (1989)
- Where's My Bytches (1993)
- Simple Planet / Beatdabeat (2008)
Compilations
- Situation Hot (1990)
- Innovative Life: The Anthology, 1984–1989 (2008)
- Professor X (2007/2008)
With Bobby Jimmy and the Critters
- Ugly Knuckle Butt (1985)
- Roaches: The Beginning (1986)
- Back and Proud (1987)
With N.W.A
- "Panic Zone" (single) (1987)
- N.W.A. and the Posse (1987)
- Straight Outta Compton (1989)
See also
In Spanish: Arabian Prince para niños
