Naledge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Naledge
Naledge in a promotional photo from 2010.
Background information
Birth name	Jabari Miles Evans
Born	September 10 Chicago Illinois
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, Professor
Years active	2000 – present
Labels	Rawkus Records(2006–2007) Duck Down Records(2007–present)
Associated acts	Kidz in the Hall, Double-O, Boot Camp Click, Donnis, Estelle Swaray, Masta Ace, Camp Lo, Travis McCoy, Just Blaze, Black Milk

Jabari Miles Evans, known by his stage name Naledge, is an American rapper. He is famous for being one half of the hip-hop group Kidz in the Hall. Besides his music career, he is also an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, where he teaches about race and media.

Early Life and Education

Naledge grew up on the South Side of Chicago. His parents, Dr. Robert Evans and Dr. Helen Evans, were both experts in mental health. Naledge showed a talent for lyrics from a young age. By the time he was 14, he was already in a local rap group called FFC (Famous From the Chi).

He was also a strong student. At just 16 years old, he wrote and published a book called “The Straight Jab.” After graduating from Luther High School South, he went to the University of Pennsylvania. There, he studied Communications and Sociology.

During college, Naledge met another student named Michael Aguilar, who was a hip-hop producer. Today, Aguilar is known as Double-O. The two started making music together and formed the group Kidz in the Hall.

Music Career

Kidz in the Hall

After Naledge graduated from college in 2004, he and Double-O signed a record deal with Rawkus Records. In 2006, they released their first album, School Was My Hustle.

In 2007, Kidz in the Hall wrote a song called "Work To Do" to support Barack Obama, who was running for president and had ties to their hometown of Chicago. They were one of the first musical groups to show their support for him.

Later that year, the group signed with Duck Down Records. Their second album, The In Crowd, came out in May 2008. Its most popular single was "Drivin' Down the Block." This song used samples from older hip-hop tracks, a style they used in many of their songs. For example, their song "Blackout" was even featured in the Madden '09 video game.

Their next album, Land of Make Believe, was released in 2010. It featured famous guests like MC Lyte and Just Blaze. The album was a big success and received a high rating from XXL Magazine.

Solo Work

Naledge also works on music by himself. He has released several solo projects called mixtapes. In 2009, he released Chicago Picasso to give fans a taste of his solo style. The mixtape featured artists like Bun B and Jay Electronica.

He continued to release more solo music, including the mixtape Twentysomething LP in 2010. He has worked with famous producers like 9th Wonder, Pete Rock, and Just Blaze on his solo tracks.

Beyond Music: Teaching and Community

Naledge is passionate about more than just music. In 2012, he started a company called Brainiac Society to help other artists in his community share their creative work.

He also continued his own education. In 2014, Naledge earned a master's degree from the University of Southern California.

Today, Naledge is an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He often speaks at schools and universities around Chicago, and he is dedicated to giving back to the South Side community where he grew up.

Selected Discography

Here are some of the major works by Naledge and Kidz in the Hall.

With Kidz in the Hall (Studio Albums)

• School Was My Hustle (2006)
• The In Crowd (2008)
• Land of Make Believe (2010)
• Occasion (2011)

Solo Mixtapes

• Chicago Picasso (2009)
• Naledge Is Twenty Something (2010)
• Chicago Picasso 2 (2012)
• Brain Power (2013)
• Brain Power 2 (2014)
• Chicago Picasso 3 (2017)

Guest Appearances

Naledge has also been featured on songs by other artists.

• 2004: "Love Me" (Just Blaze Remix) (Janet Jackson featuring Naledge)
• 2012: "Stand Up" (Yung Berg featuring Naledge)
• 2012: "Nah Mean?" (A.J. Crew featuring Naledge)
• 2016: "That N* Ain't do nothing" (Yung Berg featuring Naledge)