Tim Dog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tim Dog
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Timothy Blair |
| Born | January 3, 1967 The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 2013 (aged 46) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop, hardcore hip-hop |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1989–2009 |
| Labels | Ruffhouse/ Columbia |
| Associated acts | KRS-One, Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool Keith, Apache Indian |
Timothy Blair, known as Tim Dog, was an American rapper from The Bronx, New York. He became famous in the early 1990s. He was known for his strong, direct style of hip hop music.
Tim Dog had worked with the group Ultramagnetic MCs before. He later formed a music duo called Ultra with Kool Keith, who was also a member of Ultramagnetic MCs. Other famous rappers, like Nas and Eminem, have mentioned Tim Dog in their songs.
On February 14, 2013, news reports said that Tim Dog had passed away. This was due to problems from diabetes. For a while, there was some confusion about his death. Some people wondered if he was still alive. However, in September 2014, it was officially confirmed that he had indeed died on the date first reported. A death certificate was filed in DeKalb County, Georgia, which ended all the questions.
Contents
Early Career and East Coast vs. West Coast Hip Hop
In the early 1990s, a big change was happening in hip hop music. Groups like N.W.A and other artists from the West Coast (especially Los Angeles) were becoming very popular. Magazines like Word Up! and The Source wrote a lot about these artists.
N.W.A's album Straight Outta Compton was a huge success. It made the area of Compton famous in hip hop. This led to many other groups trying to sound like them. Artists such as Compton's Most Wanted and DJ Quik also became popular. This time was known for "gangsta rap" and a certain style of clothing, like Los Angeles Raiders gear.
Some New York hip hop artists felt that the West Coast was getting too much attention. Tim Dog used this feeling in his first major song. He released a song that directly challenged the West Coast artists.
Tim Dog's "Diss Tracks"
Tim Dog's first single was a "diss track." This is a song made to insult or criticize another artist. His song was aimed at N.W.A and other West Coast rappers. The lyrics also mentioned a disagreement between N.W.A's Dr. Dre and a TV show host named Dee Barnes.
The song was released by Ruffhouse Records, a label that also had artists like Cypress Hill and Kris Kross. It became a big hit in clubs and among hip hop fans around the world. Two music videos were made for the song.
Tim Dog's first album, Penicillin on Wax, had more "diss tracks." These songs targeted both Compton artists and other popular artists like Kid 'n Play and Kwamé. For example, one part of the album used the same beat as N.W.A's Efil4zaggin album intro. In another skit on the album, called "DJ Quik Beat Down," Tim Dog acted out a fight with DJ Quik.
Later Music and Collaborations
Tim Dog released his second album, Do or Die, in 1993. This album showed a change in his music. He moved away from the West Coast rivalry. Instead, he focused on hardcore East Coast rap. On this album, he thanked Tupac Shakur for helping him during a difficult situation while he was touring in California.
One song on Do or Die, called "Dog Baby," was another "diss track" aimed at Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
In 1995, Tim Dog moved to the United Kingdom. There, he worked with a UK artist named Apache Indian. They created a popular song together called "Make Way for the Indian." Tim Dog then toured with Kool Keith. He also recorded several other songs, including "NY to the UK" in 2005, which was a collaboration with Percee P.
Tim Dog was also involved in the business side of music. He was the head of "Rap Legends Recordings." He also helped start Our Turn Records in Los Angeles. He had also been the CEO President of Big Xity Entertainment in New York and BMC Management in Atlanta.
Discography
- 1991: Penicillin on Wax
- 1993: Do or Die
- 1996: Big Time (with Kool Keith as Ultra)
- 2003: Immortal
- 2006: BX Warrior
- 2009: Project X: Iconic (with Kool Keith)
Images for kids
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Tim Dog
