Chali 2na facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chali 2na
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Stewart in 2004
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charles Stewart |
| Born | June 26, 1971 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Labels |
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| Associated acts | Jurassic 5, Ozomatli, Dino 5 |
Charles Stewart (born June 26, 1971), known by his stage name Chali 2na, is an American rapper and painter. He is famous for being part of the hip hop groups Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli. People know him for his deep bass-baritone voice and his fast rapping style.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Starting in Los Angeles
Chali 2na was born in Chicago but moved to South Central Los Angeles as a boy. He was raised by his grandmother. His stage name is a fun reference to Charlie the Tuna, a cartoon character with a deep voice from TV commercials.
In high school, he became friends with Cut Chemist. They formed a group called Unity Committee with another friend, Marc 7. They often performed at a place called the Good Life Café. This was a spot where rappers and poets could share their skills at an open mic night.
Unity Committee and another group, the Rebels of Rhythm, were big crowd favorites. The two groups liked each other's style and decided to team up. Together, they formed the famous group Jurassic 5 in 1993.
Work with Ozomatli
Chali 2na was also a founding member of the band Ozomatli. This band plays a mix of salsa and funk music and often sings about social issues. Even though he is no longer a main member, he still works with them sometimes. His music is influenced by many styles, including reggae, soul music, and even house music.
Music Career
Success with Jurassic 5
Chali 2na was a key part of Jurassic 5. The group was known for how well the four MCs (rappers) could rap together, sometimes sounding like a single person. They released several popular albums before the group split up in 2007.
Going Solo
After Jurassic 5, Chali 2na started his solo career. He released a mixtape called Fish Market in 2004. It was a collection of songs he had made with other artists. This gave fans a preview of his style before his official solo album came out.
His first official solo album, Fish Outta Water, was released in 2009. On the album, he rapped about important experiences in his life. He worked with many famous artists on the album, including Beenie Man, Talib Kweli, and Damian Marley.
He later released a second mixtape, Fish Market Part 2, in 2010. He has also released several smaller albums called EPs.
Working with Other Artists
Chali 2na is famous for collaborating with many different musicians. He has worked with the rock band Linkin Park on their album Reanimation. He also teamed up with the Black Eyed Peas and British hip hop star Roots Manuva.
Some of his other collaborations include:
- Working with the funk band Galactic.
- Appearing on the song "America" with K'naan and Mos Def.
- Featuring on the song "Speaking in Tongues" by the Australian group Hilltop Hoods.
- Teaming up with the band Slightly Stoopid on their song "Just Thinking".
- Working with English DJ Krafty Kuts on an album.
Film and Art
Movie and TV Appearances
Chali 2na has appeared in several films. He was in the documentary This Is the Life, which is about the music scene at the Good Life Café where his career began. He also appeared in the movie Never Been Kissed while performing with his band Ozomatli.
He even appeared in the popular YouTube series Epic Rap Battles of History. He played the famous scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Street Art
Besides music, Chali 2na is a talented painter and graffiti artist. He has painted large murals in cities across the world, especially in Australia. His signature art piece is a drawing of a tuna fish, which connects to his stage name.
Selected Discography
Here are some of Chali 2na's most well-known albums, both as a solo artist and with his groups.
Solo Albums
- Fish Outta Water (2009)
- Adventures of a Reluctant Superhero (with Krafty Kuts) (2019)
Jurassic 5 Albums
- Jurassic 5 (1998)
- Quality Control (2000)
- Power in Numbers (2002)
- Feedback (2006)
Other Projects
- Ozomatli (1998) (with Ozomatli)
- The Dino 5 (2008) (with the group The Dino 5)
