Artist description Ira Davis A.K.A. Enigma is a progressive independent hip hop artist with funk, r&b, and soul influences.

Music Style Hip Hop/Rap/Dirty South

Musical Influences Run-DMC, Public Enemy, KRS-ONE, N.W.A., Ice Cube, Paris, Wu Tang Clan, Nas, Notorious B.I.G., Dungeon Family (Outkast & Goodie MOB)

Similar Artists Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli

Artist History Ira Davis A.K.A. Enigma became a hip hop fan at age 7 when he first heard the music of Run-DMC and was influenced by the various elements of the culture. He began rhyming with friends at age 17 during lunch break while attending Northeast High School in Macon, Georgia. He drew his influences from national artists from varying regions and a host of local talent.In 1995, while attending Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, Ira founded a hip hop collective known as the Jihad. They recorded several demo songs that received good reviews from listeners. In 1999, Ira released his first single "Never Be My Boo", was featured on the Shadow Sound Studio 1999 Sampler, and along with the Jihad was the first hip hop act featured at the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame. In spring 2000, Ira released the EP "City Of Dreams" which allows the world to enter the mind of an enigma even more. Ira also provided the vocals for the "Integrity Matters" series (www.integrity-matters.com) theme song produced by the Television Production Group. In January 2001, Ira's group the Jihad (www.mp3.com/TheJihad) released their debut EP "Contemporary Negro Spirituals". During the same month, the songs "Never Be My Boo" and "City Of Dreams" were featured on the Asian market release "ARCHE100" by Syntonic/Ness, Inc. (http://iCDmusic.com). In May 2001 "Just Ride (Light Mix)" by the Jihad was featured on "The Nation Compilation" by the South Dakota based record label Night Shield Entertainment (www.nightshield.com). In April 2003, Ira's label Enigma Entertainment released the compilation "Enigma Entertainment Presents Underground Mactown Vol. 1". Ira is apart of the Shadow Sound Studio display featured in the Macon room of the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame. He also received the "HEET Five Star Artist Award" and "Hottest Artist Of April 2000 Award" from HEET ONLINE MAGAZINE (heetmagazine.homestead.com). The song "City Of Dreams" is formerly the number 1 Hip Hop/Rap song on the IUMA charts holding the position for seven weeks from 6/25/00-8/14/00. In summer 2000, Ira won "Hip Hop Artist of the Year" at the 26th Annual Atlanta Society of Entertainers Awards. He was the cover artist on the November 15, 2000 edition of HEET ONLINE MAGAZINE. Ira is distributed online by Amazon.com (www.amazon.com), CDBaby.com (www.cdbaby.com), MP3.com (www.mp3.com/TheJihad). The Orchard (www.theorchard.com), and Wholeteam Entertainment (www.wholeteam.com). Product is also available in Macon, Georgia at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Contact Information: Ira Davis; Enigma Entertainment; 1053 Boulevard; Macon, GA 31211-1701; (478) 461-6116; http://enigma.iuma.com; http://www.mp3.com/EnigmaEntertainment; http://www.mp3.com/TheJihad; http://www.mp3.com/stations/EnigmaRadio; http://www.mp3.com/UndergroundMactown

Group Members Ira Davis

Instruments Mind, Hand, Voice

Press Reviews Ira Davis (a.k.a. the Enigma) stirs up a mixture of low-key hip-hop with strong, infective rhymes and a solid, albeit muted, backing track.Jon P. - Listen.comWhat can I say about this artist that the people have not already said by giving him "5" stars in our monthly web polls. He is one of Hip-Hop's best artists. Don't sleep on this one.Janet Black - HEET ONLINE MAGAZINE (http://heetmagazine.homestead.com) Admirably, (Ira Davis a.k.a. Enigma) eschews the platinum-loving-money grubbing-sex-crazed thug life, espousing cliches favored by most mainstream hip hoppers. Instead, his lyrics range from the love of his music ("Hip Hop"), the good ol' days ("Reminisce") and the title track ("City Of Dreams") -- featuring Joey Stuckey on vocals -- a cautionary tale about the dangers of selling one's soul just for a shot at fame. Malcolm X Abram - The Macon Telegraph (7/21/00

Location Macon, Georgia - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).