Phillip Martin III facts for kids
Phillip Martin III (born January 10, 1968) in San Antonio, Texas, is a talented American artist. He is also known by his stage name Nino. Phillip Martin III is a rapper, music producer, director, and even a film editor. He has also written two books and directed two movies.
Before he was known as Nino, Phillip Martin III used the stage names Pony J and Jake. He started using the name Nino when he joined the Texas rap group PKO. PKO stands for Pounds, Keys, and Ounces. Phillip Martin III distributes music through his companies, Big Ballin Records and Youngsta Records. He has also worked with other companies to release many popular music albums.
The Rap Group PKO
When Phillip Martin III was a teenager, he lived in San Antonio. In the mid-1980s, he became friends with Mark "Magic" Outing. They teamed up with Robert "AK" Hill and Ted "K-Sam" Meadows, who was a childhood friend. Together, they formed the rap group PKO.
PKO performed at local clubs and parties, building a large group of fans. They started releasing their own songs through their independent music label, Youngsta Records.
In 1992, PKO became more famous when CNN interviewed them. After this, PKO recorded their first full music collection, called an EP. In 1994, they released an album called The Good, the Bad, the Mafia. This album sold 300,000 copies and reached No. 64 on the Billboard album charts.
After their CNN appearance, PKO performed with other famous groups like N.W.A, the Geto Boys, and Too Short. PKO is also featured on the album Got It Sowed Up, on track number 9. That album reached No. 139 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 13 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts.
PKO chose to stay an independent group, even though big music labels offered them deals. Throughout the 1990s, PKO released their own albums and albums by other artists on their Youngsta Records label. Later, Phillip Martin III started a solo career. His first solo album, simply called Nino, sold over 100,000 copies and reached No. 84 on the Billboard Rap Charts. PKO is often remembered as the Southern/Texas version of the group NWA.
Big Ballin' Records and Other Projects
In 2008, Phillip Martin III worked with real estate agent Mechelle Bower to write two books. These books were titled Faith and Finance and 10 Easy Steps in Creating Success and Wealth as a Real Estate Agent.
Martin and Bower also created a company called "Born2flyy Ent" in Atlanta, Georgia. This company focuses on pop and rhythm and blues artists. One of their past clients was Mika Means, who was signed to the Universal Motown record label.
Albums with PKO
- (1990) Armed and Dangerous
- (1994) Old School
- (1994) Tha Good, Tha Bad, Tha Mafia
- (1996) No Pain No Gain
- (2000) From Dirty to Clean
- (2001) Ain't Went No Where
- (2006) Greatest Hits: Still Big Ballin'
- (2006) Still Big Ballin': Screwed
- (2006) Live in Japan
See also
- History of African Americans in San Antonio
- Southern Hip Hop
