Rhymefest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rhymefest
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Rhymefest in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Che Armond Smith |
| Born | July 6, 1977 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Midwestern hip-hop |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1996–present |
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Che Armond Smith (born July 6, 1977), known professionally as Rhymefest, is an American rapper and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He is famous for working with fellow Chicago rapper Kanye West. Rhymefest helped write some of West's well-known songs, including "Jesus Walks" in 2004, which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song. He also co-wrote "New Slaves" in 2013.
In 2014, Rhymefest also helped write the song "Glory" for Common and John Legend. This song won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. As a recording artist, he signed with Mark Ronson's Allido Records in 2006. He released his first album, Blue Collar, in July of that year.
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Rhymefest's Music Career
Che Armond Smith was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 6, 1977. Rhymefest began his career by "battle rapping." This is a type of rap competition where two or more rappers freestyle (make up lyrics on the spot) to try and outdo each other. He competed in events like JumpOff and ScribbleJam against other artists, including Eminem.
Writing Hit Songs
Rhymefest has helped create many successful songs. He co-wrote "Glory" with John Legend and Common for the 2014 movie Selma. This song earned both a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award.
Acting and Future Music
Rhymefest has also explored acting. He appeared in Emilio Estevez's 2018 film The Public, playing a character named "Big George." He acted alongside famous stars like Alec Baldwin and Gabrielle Union. Rhymefest has shared that he plans to release a new album called Love Lessons Pt. 1. A song from this album, "OG Philosophy," featuring Black Thought and Raheem DeVaughn, was released in early 2020.
Rhymefest in Politics
Rhymefest has also been involved in politics and community work. In 2006, he was invited to the British House of Commons to talk about hip-hop music and government policies with David Cameron, who later became the Prime Minister.
Running for Office
In October 2010, Rhymefest announced he was running for a position called "alderman" in Chicago's 20th ward. An alderman is a local elected official who represents a specific area of a city, similar to a city council member. He came in second place in the first election in February 2011. He then ran in a runoff election in April 2011 but was defeated by the person who held the position at the time, Willie Cochran.
Community Work and School Board
In 2016, Rhymefest started a series of events called "Truth & Reconciliation." These events aimed to raise awareness about gun violence in Chicago. In 2024, he ran for an elected spot on the Chicago school board. He won in the 10th district, which is located on the south side of Chicago.
Art of Culture Organization
Rhymefest is the Executive Director and a co-founder of an organization called Art of Culture. This group was previously known as Donda's House. It was originally named after Kanye West's mother, Donda West. The organization helps support and develop young artists.
Rhymefest's Personal Life
Rhymefest is a Muslim. He is married to Donnie Smith, and they have been together since 2010. He has three children.
The Meaning Behind His Name
Rhymefest's birth name is Che Smith, and he was named after the revolutionary figure Che Guevara. He has spoken about how his name has influenced his life and music. He believes that a name can inspire a person to live up to certain values. He said that having a name like Che means he needs to create music that is meaningful and important, not just about dancing or superficial topics. He also mentioned that he named his son Solomon, hoping he would grow into a wise role, just like the biblical King Solomon.
Awards and Nominations
Rhymefest has received several awards and nominations for his songwriting.
Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Jesus Walks (as songwriter) | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| Best Rap Song | Won | ||
| 2014 | "New Slaves" (as songwriter) | Best Rap Song | Nominated |
| 2016 | Glory (as songwriter) | Best Rap Song | Nominated |
| Best Song Written for Visual Media | Won |
Discography
Albums
- 2006: Blue Collar
- 2010: El Che
- 2024: James & Nikki: A Conversation
Singles
- 1996: "This Is How We Chill (Pts. 1 & 2)"
- 2005: "Dirty Dirty" (Featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard)
- 2006: "Brand New" (featuring Kanye West)
- 2006: "Dynomite (Going Postal)"
- 2006: "Fever"
- 2006: "Wanted"
- 2007: "Angry Black Man on the Elevator" (featuring Lil Jon)
- 2009: "Chicago"
- 2024: "Creator" (featuring Brittney Carter and Rell Suma)
- 2024: "Pop" (featuring EP Da Hellcat)
Mixtapes
- 2004: Brand New
- 2005: A Star Is Born, Vol. 1
- 2006: Plugg City: City on My Back
- 2008: Mark Ronson Presents: Man in the Mirror
- 2009: El Che: The Manual Mixtape
- 2010: Dangerous: 5-18
- 2010: Man in the Mirror 2.0
