Johnny Polygon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johnny Polygon
Polygon in Silverlake, California
Background information
Birth name	John Willima Armour
Born	(1984-05-15) May 15, 1984 (age 41) Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Origin	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Genres	Hip hop alternative R&B
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer songwriter record producer actor
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Bananabeat Records Invasion Music Group
Associated acts	Amanda Seales Dead Prez Gabriel Royal Kid Cudi Nas

John Willima Armour (born May 15, 1984), known by his stage name Johnny Polygon, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and music producer. He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In 2008, Polygon met producer DJ Green Lantern, who offered him a record deal. His first project with the label, an extended play (EP) called Group Hug, came out in 2009. URB Magazine described it as "risky yet authentic." In 2010, he released his first official mixtape, Rebel Without Applause. This mixtape included the song "The Riot Song," which was featured on MTV, VH1, Centric, and the HBO show How to Make it in America.

Johnny Polygon has worked with famous musicians like Nas and Kid Cudi. He often works with his friend Gabriel Royal. He has also collaborated with Amanda Diva and Dead Prez. In 2012, MSN.com named Polygon one of their "Top 5 Up-And-Comers You Should Know." Since 2001, Polygon has released ten studio albums. His latest is Teddy Bear Massacre 2 (2022). He is also starting a new company called Armatura Production Haus for music videos, TV, film, and children’s books. He says, "My label is my fans."

Biography

Early Life and Starting Out (1984–2008)

Tulsa, Oklahoma where Polygon grew up and proudly calls his hometown.

Johnny Polygon, whose real name is John Armour, was born on May 15, 1984, in Cleveland, Ohio. His family soon moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he grew up. He proudly calls Tulsa his hometown.

As a young person, Johnny Polygon first discovered hip hop through breakdancing. He started rapping when he was 14. He would sneak into a place called Cain's Ballroom. One night, he saw a rap battle there. Polygon decided he would enter the next one, and he won! A DJ named Shabazz invited him to record an album. Polygon kept performing in local theater groups and rap battles. This helped him learn how to perform on stage.

As a teenager, Polygon went to several high schools. He later decided to focus on his music. He told his parents he wanted to be a rapper. He said, "I told my parents I want to do music, and they were like you can’t really do that here. So my dad was like ‘I’ll give you a ride—where you want to go, L.A. or New York City?’ And the weather was nicer in L.A., so I was like ‘let’s go there.’"

Polygon spent several years performing in the underground Midwest scene. He released several albums on his own. Then, he moved to Hollywood, California, to continue his music career. He arrived in Los Angeles with only $297 and a thousand copies of his fourth CD, Leggo My Ego (2004). He sold these CDs to people on Hollywood Boulevard.

In Los Angeles, Polygon met Nathan Morse, who wanted to make a music video for his song "Bag." The video was entered into an online contest. One of the judges, DJ Green Lantern, noticed it. DJ Green Lantern liked what he saw and heard. He offered Polygon a chance to record music at his studio in New York City. Polygon eagerly took the chance and went to NYC with DJ Green Lantern. In 2008, Polygon signed a contract with DJ Green Lantern's record label, Invasion Music Group.

After signing, Polygon moved to Brooklyn. There, they recorded several songs. One was "Price on Your Head," written for the 2008 video game Grand Theft Auto IV. Polygon also sang the chorus for the song "Black President" on fellow American rapper Nas' 2008 untitled album.

First Projects and Success (2009–2010)

In 2009, Polygon performed "Black President" with Nas on BET. This was his first time on national TV. On May 12, 2009, he released Group Hug, his first EP with Invasion Music Group. URB Magazine praised Group Hug.

Polygon was featured in Vapor Magazine in July 2009. In August 2009, he shared plans to form a group called The Okay Maybes with Amanda Diva. He also appeared on the Dead Prez mixtape, Pulse of the People: Turn Off the Radio Vol. 3 (2009). He was on the song "NYDP," which was also in the 2010 movie Brooklyn’s Finest. In late 2009, Polygon made a quick appearance in Kid Cudi’s "Pursuit of Happiness" music video.

On February 14, 2010, Polygon released Rebel Without Applause, a mixtape presented by DJ Green Lantern. It featured Kid Cudi, Amanda Diva, and Gabe Royal. A music video for "The Riot Song" came out on February 23. The video was like a Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoon, using over 3,000 paper cutouts. "The Riot Song" was featured on the HBO series How to Make it in America. Kid Cudi said Johnny was "the illest up-and-coming artist" on the soundtrack.

In March 2010, Polygon performed a freestyle on POWER 106 FM in Los Angeles. In July 2010, he was featured in Oklahoma Magazine. Polygon also had an online show about his life as an artist on karmaloop.tv. In 2010, his song "Ebonics" was on the soundtrack for the film The Rock 'n' Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopher.

On April 1, 2010, Polygon announced he was no longer signed to DJ Green Lantern's label. He decided to move forward as an independent artist. "The Riot Song" music video was shown on MTV2, VH1 Soul, mtvU, and Centric. It even reached number eight on MTV's Top 100.

On November 16, 2010, Johnny Polygon released Catch-Up, a 30-track mixtape. It was a compilation album of his songs, remixes, and collaborations. This mixtape promoted his second EP, Wolf in Cheap Clothing (2010). Wolf in Cheap Clothing was released for free download on December 15, 2010, and received good reviews.

New Music and Tours (2011–2013)

In 2011, Polygon returned to Oklahoma. He was featured in This Land Press' January issue. In April 2011, Johnny Polygon starred in a short film called Where is Victor Black?. He also shared that he once turned down a record deal. The label wanted him to say he was from the Bay Area, but he stayed loyal to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In May 2012, Polygon's song “Ebonics” was again included in the soundtrack for The Rock 'n' Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopher. Polygon directed his first music video in November 2012 for THURZ's "Are You Not." Polygon also sang on the song. In December 2012, MSN.com named Polygon one of the "Top 5 Artists Up-And-Comers You Should Know."

On February 27, 2013, Polygon released The Nothing. This 12-track album was a team effort with several producers. It was available for free download and later for purchase. In March 2013, Polygon started a U.S. tour called Light Up The Night. He later announced he would release another EP. In January 2014, Polygon tweeted that his new EP was "shaping up beastly" and might be his last. On February 1, 2014, Polygon released a remix of the song "Versace", which he called "Old Navy."

Albums and New Projects (2014–2016)

On March 23, 2014, Polygon shared a possible track list for his new EP on Instagram. He performed in New York City in May 2014 to promote his upcoming project. In June 2014, he announced a new project and a tour for August. He released singles like "Never Too Old to Die Young" and "The Weather Report" in July 2014. In August, he revealed his next project would be called King of Ashes. In November 2014, he changed the title to I Love You, Goodnight. and said it would be a full album.

On February 25, 2015, Polygon surprised fans by releasing an album called Water Damage. He sold only 200 copies on his website. He explained that I Love You, Goodnight. was still coming soon. I Love You, Goodnight. was set to be released on May 15, 2015. It would be supported by tours and music videos. In 2015, Polygon voiced characters in 50 episodes of a National Geographic children's show called 50 Birds, 50 States.

To support Water Damage, Polygon went on the "Hole in the Wall" concert tour. In March 2015, he performed at the Norman Music Festival. On May 15, 2015, Polygon delayed I Love You, Goodnight. because his producer, Picnic Tyme, gave him new music for the album. The new release date was June 4, 2015. In May 2015, Polygon was featured in articles in The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com.

On February 10, 2016, Polygon said he had a secret album that he would only give out in person in Los Angeles. In August 2016, he announced he would record his first live album. He recorded it in September at The Yeti in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Teddy Bear Massacre Series (2017–present)

On April 14, 2017, Polygon announced a new project called Nimrod Cupid. He released the album Teddy Bear Massacre, Vol. 1 on May 15, 2019.

Artistry

Influences

Growing up, Johnny Polygon listened to a variety of artists. Some of his favorites included Nirvana, Elton John, Tupac, and Norah Jones.

Musical Style

Johnny Polygon's music is described as a mix of classic sounds with unique song structures. It blends hip hop, soul, and R&B. His lyrics often have a dark and clever feel, telling love stories with wit.

In 2010, a writer from Planet Ill said that Johnny Polygon's music has a good mix of "spaced out hip hop, electro and rock music." They also noted his adaptable flow as an MC and his singing without autotune. Last.fm describes Polygon as an "eclectic mix of indie skewed hip hop and world music." He creates his own unique sound.

Discography

Johnny Polygon's discography includes 10 studio albums, one live album, three extended plays (EPs), two mixtapes, and 14 singles.

Studio albums

Live albums

EPs

Mixtapes

Selected singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Guest appearances

Selected videography

As lead artist

As featured artist

Filmography

See also

• Steph Simon