Artist description Even a gourmet meal needs a little spice sometimes. And given rap’s bland yet popular array of MC’s, the rap industry could use a littleseasoning on their tracks. Enter Crush, Antra Music’s newest lyrical sensation. With an artistic style all his own, Crush may be the original flavor you’ve been missing. But let him tell you."Imagine you’re asleep," begins the 25-year-old West Philly native. "But while you’re asleep, the scent of breakfast touches your nose, and you’re open to it. You’re so ready to eat that breakfast, that you’re mouth starts wateringbefore you get it. That’s my style."It’s the style that you’ve been craving; the relaxed, smart-ass, easy-going flow that almost makes fun of today’s frenetic, hardcore versesthat rule the airwaves. That’s what Crush bringson his untitled spring 2000 debut album on AntraMusic."I don’t want to fit in. I always want to be theoffset one," he replies. "When you think I’msupposed to go right, I go left. That’s whatseparates me from a lot of things that’s goingon."And his personality is every bit as zesty as hissound. He’s clever, funny, charming—a naturalperformer, but probably unlike any lyricist you’veever met. A former stand-up comic and video showhost, Crush is not afraid to have a good time,even if it means cracking a smile."A lot of guys, they want to do records, but theydon’t want to make a song," says Crush. "I’m anentertainer. I don’t have time to be evil all thetime. I like to smile just like everybody else."But before there was Crush, there was Jeffery Craig Brown, the youngest of eight siblings, all of whomthrived in their musical home, where sounds ofjazz, soul, R&B and funk regularly bounced offthe walls. As a ninth grade student, he would makerhymes out of his English class journalassignments "just to say something slick."Blending his love for music and knack for "streetpoetry," he started rapping under the name "CraigB." with local Philadelphia producer "Deuce." Thetwo would later form a rap clique called BoysRighteous with two other neighborhood friends. Thegroup recorded two albums, a tape of which foundtheir way into Three Times Dope producer ChuckNice’s hands. Impressed, Chuck asked to meet withDeuce and Crush only, a fact which led to thegroup’s separation soon after. Nevertheless, Crushwent on to tour with Three Times Dope and Kwame in1992, and upon returning home, began to work onhis own solo demo. Once completed, it didn’t takelong for record labels to catch wind of Crush’stalent. Offers from Def Jam, Ruffhouse, and RCArolled in, but, looking to make a carefuldecision, Crush held out for just the right deal. That’s where Antra Music comes in. Loafing aroundin the Antra lobby one day, Crush bumped intoscreenwriter and director Barry Michael Cooper(credited with "discovering" Wesley Snipes) whowas filming a video for Antra artist Kurupt. Aftera brief conversation with the rapper, Cooper wassold."He was like ‘Yo, you a star and you don’t know it,’" remembers Crush. "‘[Even] your name is astar name.’"Taken by his charismatic personality, Cooperimmediately offered Crush a role in Kurupt’svideo, "Ask Yourself a Question," opposite MichaelWright, of The Five Heartbeats fame. But it wasupon hearing Crush’s demo that the video directorintroduced Crush to Antra Music chairman/CEO JoeMarrone."[Marrone and I] sat down and that day Joe waslike ‘Crush, I want to sign you.’ And I’m thinking, ‘Yeah ok. Give me some paperwork.’ Andsure enough, they gave me paperwork."Now that the stage is set, prepare for the show.On his debut album, Misfortunes of Man, due out onAugust 8th. Crush is in stellar form, flexing a number of styles befitting a versatile, diverselyricist. With producer Bobby Jones behind theboards, Crush playfully beckons you to groove tothe cha-cha rhythm on "Let’s Dance" and delivers arapid-fire, machine gun flow on the bass-ridden,Southern-styled "Best Believe." A self-confessedlover of ladies, Crush takes no shorts when itcomes to letting a woman know just how good he’lltreat her. That is, if she’s lucky enough toattract his eye. On "Swing With Me," he invites abeautiful "mami" to join him as he enjoys the finer things in life; he even sings his promisesof pampering towards the end of the song. Thespicy "My Vida Loca" lets a "bonita senorita" knowthat she’s the only one for Crush, while thereggae-tinged "Raven" details the pursuit of amysterious bronze beauty who keeps slipping fromhis grasp. But don’t get it twisted. Crush willset it every now and then, which he proves on"Da Rules," a rugged set of laws warning anyrival to keep away ‘cause "it ain’t even safein this bitch." But if the anticipation is too much to bear, then catch Crush on the soundtrack to O, Miramax’s modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello starring Mekhi Phifer. Other appearances include a song on the soundtrack to Lawrence Fishburne’s new movie Once in the Life and a collaboration with Philly producer extraordinaire Jazzy Jeff on "Hold it Down" from The Footwork Project. Yet, this is only the beginning for the multi-talented MC who’s already moved crowds in L.A., Atlanta, Ohio, Amsterdam and Denmark. And if you haven’t yet witnessed Crush rocking a show or heard him rip a verse on a blistering track, then maybe Crush is just the ingredient you need to complete your rap diet. All it takes is one taste. You’ll see. —Saptosa Foster.

Music Style Rap Hip-Hop Reggae

Similar Artists Busta Rhymes

Group Members Crush

Albums Misfortunes of a Man

Press Reviews "ANTRA label toaster, Crush...whose debut CDMisfortunes Of A Man kicks ass..." - PhiladelphiaCity Paper (May 11, 2000)

Location Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - USA

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