Saukrates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saukrates
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Saukrates performing at the 2015 Burlington's Sound of Music Festival
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Karl Amani Wailoo |
| Also known as | Bigg Soxx |
| Born | March 6, 1978 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Canadian hip hop, R&B |
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| Years active | 1994–present |
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Karl Amani Wailoo (born March 6, 1978) is a Canadian artist known as Saukrates. He is a talented rapper, singer, and music producer. Saukrates helped start Capitol Hill Music. He is also the main singer for the hip-hop and R&B group called Big Black Lincoln. He is also part of a music group called Gilla House, which is led by the rapper Redman.
Contents
Saukrates' Music Journey
Starting His Music Career
Saukrates began his music journey in 1994. His first song was "Still Caught Up." This song was so good that it was nominated for a Juno Award in 1996. He received another Juno nomination in 2000 for his song "Money or Love."
In 2001, Saukrates worked with the famous rapper Redman. He produced a song called "Uh-Huh" for Redman's album Malpractice. Saukrates also appeared on another song on that album called "Enjoy Da Ride." He even made a song called "Fine Line" for the movie soundtrack of How High.
In 2002, Saukrates teamed up with another Canadian producer named Agile. Together, they produced a song called "Heaven" for Nas' album God's Son. This song also featured the singer Jully Black.
Working with Record Labels
It can be tough for Canadian hip-hop artists to become famous in the United States. Saukrates signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1996. However, Warner Bros. Records dropped him in 1998. His first album, The Underground Tapes, came out in 1999.
By 2000, Saukrates signed another big deal with Def Jam and Gilla House Records. Gilla House Records is owned by Redman. Later, Def Jam decided not to work with Saukrates anymore. But he continued to work with Gilla House. He appeared on two songs on Redman's album Red Gone Wild in 2007.
After finishing his second album in 2004, Saukrates found it hard to release it widely. So, he focused on producing music for his group Big Black Lincoln and singer Andreena Mill.
Collaborating with Nelly Furtado
On November 21, 2006, Saukrates showed off his amazing beat-boxing skills. He beat-boxed during Nelly Furtado's performance of "Say It Right" at the 2006 American Music Awards.
Saukrates also went on tour with Nelly Furtado for her Get Loose Tour. He played percussion, sang backup, and even performed as a supporting act.
New Music: Season One and More
In 2009, Saukrates worked with Method Man & Redman on their song "A-Yo". This song was on their album Blackout! 2. That same year, he collaborated with k-os and Nelly Furtado on "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman." This song was on k-os' album Yes!.
Saukrates released his second studio album, Season One, on April 24, 2012. This album featured other artists like Redman and k-os. The first song from the album was "Drop It Down" featuring Redman. It came out in July 2011. The second song, "Say I," was released in October 2011.
In 2012, Saukrates worked with Classified and Skratch Bastid on the song "Anything Goes." This song was on Classified's self-titled album, released in January 2013. He also appeared on two songs from Maestro Fresh Wes's album Orchestrated Noise. These songs were "Stranger" and "Look for Me in the Whirlwind."
On December 6, 2024, Saukrates released his album Bad A****. This album came out over 20 years after it was first planned!
Saukrates' Albums and EPs
Studio Albums
- The Underground Tapes (1999)
- Heaven's Caught on Fire (with Big Black Lincoln) (2006)
- Season One (2012)
- Season 2 (2017)
- Bad A**** (2024)
EPs (Extended Plays)
- Brick House (1997)
- The Bigg Soxx Versions EP (2010)
- Amani (2014)
Commercials and Narration
Since 2008, Saukrates has narrated commercials and documentaries for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. In 2011, he created the song "Say I" for a Nike commercial. This commercial featured NHL player P. K. Subban. In 2018 and 2019, he narrated previews for the Toronto Raptors basketball season on Sportsnet. He also narrated the start of the 2019 NBA Finals.
See also
- Canadian hip hop
- Music of Canada
