Add-2

Artist Information

Biography

“There’s something about Add-2”

Since the release of his mixtape Tale Of Two’s City Vol.2 in 2008, Add-2 has managed to captivate his fans imagination as well critics interest with his unique concepts and lyrics all while emerging as one of the most genuine yet unique emcee’s of this new generation. Add-2 has featured on MTVU's The Freshmen, also had the number 1 video on its top 10 video list, was featured as a Myspace.com Artist of the Week, featured on the top hip hop sites Okayplayer.com, Allhiphop.com, HiphopDX.com, YoRaps.com, Ballerstatus.com, Sixshot.com and many more, all without a manager or a publicist. “I work very hard but I also think it’s safe to say that either I’m very lucky or very blessed or a little bit of both. I don’t know how I made it this far, I’m still waiting for someone to pinch me”.

“My name is Add-2 (hi Add-2)…and I’m an artist”

Add-2 was born on the southside of Chicago and was the 2nd of three boys. Between fighting with his brothers, playing basketball and going to school, Add found another way to fill his time…writing. His pad became a place of solace where he could escape the harsh realities of the world outside his window. “I felt I could tell my paper anything from me being picked on being the shortest kid in the class, to people staring at me because of a scar on my head, to the girls I liked or how hurt I was when my neighbor was killed, down to when my friend who was like my brother went to prison, I just tried to write everything I could”. But it wasn’t until his best friend encouraged him to use his way with words to turn his story into music. From that point on, Add-2 carried a binder full of loose papers with rhymes scribbled all over them everywhere he went.

“You take some hip hop, sprinkle some jazz, add a pinch of humor and you got me”

On Saturday mornings, Add’s parents would play music while they cleaned up the house, artist like The Isleys, Babyface and Stevie Wonder but it wasn’t til he heard Kris Kross did he find his own niche. “I heard ‘jump’ and I was blown away, I wore my pants, hat, everything, it was all backwards and I thought to myself… I want to do that”. He began listening artist like Jay-Z, B.I.G, Bone Thugs and 2pac and slowly began to fall in love with hip hop. His musical style is reminiscent of mid 90’s hip hop also known as the golden era of hip hop. Fusing jazz, lyrics, wittiness and story telling Add has found a way to carve his sound by expanding on that very same foundation.

“Add-2-The Dating Game. Best video to come out of the Chi since Thru The Wire…” DJ Mike Love

Driven by his creativity and his desire to succeed, Add-2 strives to make music that speaks to every type of person. His artistic integrity and willingness to craft his work until its perfected shines through into his music.“I approach my music much like an artist does art, great artist pay attention to details and work hard to make sure it turns out as close to their vision as possible. I think the industry has lost that mentality, people became so obsessed with money that they forget to make heartfelt music and it shows. If the people enjoy it then that should be a bigger reward than any car or plaque. I think its due time we get back to that”.

Using his dad’s mantra as his name and reminder Add is determined to “add to” the game something fresh, something different and overall something that will remain for years to come. And if his past is any sign of his future then he is well on his way of achieving that goal.

Add-2 - Luxury video directed by Da Visionaryz http://www.mtvmusic.com/artist/add_2_1/videos/471073/luxury

Add-2 - Starter Jacket video Directed by Precise Minds & Tori Boyd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6nZSMQDoDg

Add-2 - The Dating Game Video directed by Matthew Metoyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWzpBMQ2L8M

www.twitter.com/add2themc
www.myspace.com/add2
www.sonicbids.com/add22

Instrumentation

Add-2 - emcee

Discography

Tale Of Two's City Vol.3: The Rise & Fall presented by Okayplayer & 2Dopeboyz (2009)

The Tale Of Two's City Vol.2 (2008)

Audio

• Luxury
  Listen   Download
• Add-2 - Let It Bang
  Listen   Download
• Break It Down
  Listen   Download
• The Dating Game
  Listen   Download
• Get Down
  Listen   Download
• Addiction
  Listen   Download
• Starter Jacket
  Listen   Download

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Online Press 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  ·http://allhiphop.com/stories/breedingground/archive/2008/10/29/20636224.aspx (Allhiphop.com Breedin...·http://allhiphop.com/stories/breedingground/archive/2008/10/29/20636224.aspx (Allhiphop.com Breeding Ground Feature)
  
  ·www.hiphopdx.com/blogs/add2
  
  ·www.hiphopdx.com/index/dxnext/id.17 (HiphopDX DXNext Feature)
  
  ·http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/mixtape/id.519/title.add-2-the-tale-of-twos-city-v-2
  
  ·http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/features/id.1209/title.mixtape-wrapup-august
  
  ·http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Video-Add-2-The-Dating-Game-Next-.html
  
  ·http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Add-2-The-Tale-of-Twos-City-v.2-Free-Mixtape-Download.html
  
  ·http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Audio-Add-2-Pride-feat.-Franco-De-Leon.html
  
  ·http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Audio-add-2-Players-Ball-Black-Amerikkka-.html
  
  ·http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Audio-Add-2-Adds-Deconstruction-Freestyle-.html
  
  ·http://www.yoraps.com/next2blow1.php?subaction=showfull&id=1203766421&archive=&start_from=&ucat=4 (YoRaps.com Next 2 Blow Feature)
  
  ·http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/editorialscolumns/2008/03/4375/ (Ballerstatus.com Scouting Report Feature)
  
  ·http://www.rubyhornet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1558:add-2-qthe-dating-gameq-next-video&catid=26:blog&Itemid=58
  
  ·http://www.rubyhornet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1115:add-2-tale-of-twos-city-&catid=26:blog&Itemid=58
  
  ·http://www.rubyhornet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=929:add-2-qplayers-ballqblack-amerikka-preview&catid=26:blog&Itemid=58
  
  ·http://www.rubyhornet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=778:add-2-do-the-math&catid=21:interviews&Itemid=49 (Ruby Hornet Interview)
  
  ·http://www.rubyhornet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=646:add-2-qadds-deconstruction-freestyleq&catid=26:blog&Itemid=58
  
  ·http://content.onsmash.com/archives/1517
  
  ·http://thetrolleystop.blogspot.com/2008/08/interview-with-add-2.html (TrolleyStop Interview)
  
  ·http://fakeshoredrive.com/2008/08/mixtape-add-2-tale-of-twos-city.html
  
  ·http://fakeshoredrive.com/2008/08/add-2-feat-franco-de-leon-pride-prod-by.html
  
  ·http://fakeshoredrive.com/2008/09/slot-feat-add-2-and-gerald-walker-shit.html
  
  ·http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/10/06/whats-in-the-tapedeck-v21/
  
  ·http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/10/03/add-2-the-dating-game-video/
  
  ·http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/08/14/add-2-the-tale-of-twos-city-v2-mixtape/
  
  ·http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/08/13/add-2-pride-f-franco-deleon/
  
  ·http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/07/18/add-2-black-amerikkka-prod-slot-a/
  
  ·http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/07/18/add-2-players-ball/
  
  ·http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/06/10/whats-in-the-tapedeck-v18-side-a/
  
  ·http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/05/10/add-2-certified-track-killa/
  
  ·http://2dopeboyz.com/2008/02/18/add-2-2dopeboyz-freestyle/
  

• Rubyhornet.com Freestyle in the Park 2009 (video) [+ Show ]
  

  HipHopDX http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/videos/id.2149/title.add-2-bullet-ptoda-freestyle-in-the-par...HipHopDX
  http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/videos/id.2149/title.add-2-bullet-ptoda-freestyle-in-the-park
  
  2dopeboyz
  http://2dopeboyz.com/2009/02/03/add-2-bullet-ptoda-freestyle-in-the-park-video/
  
  RubyHornet
  http://rubyhornet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2634:rh-tv-freestyle-in-the-park&catid=14:rh-tv&Itemid=62

• Chicago Kids & Aint The Devil Happy Press ( Jan 2009) [+ Show ]
  

  Okayplayer http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Audio-Add-2-Chicago-Kids-x-Aint-The-Devil-Happy-.html ...Okayplayer
  http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Audio-Add-2-Chicago-Kids-x-Aint-The-Devil-Happy-.html
  
  HiphopDX
  http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.6576/title.add-2-aint-the-devil-happy-freestyle
  
  Rubyhornet
  http://rubyhornet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2491%3Aadd-2-qchicago-kidsqqaint-the-devil-happyq&catid=26%3Ablog&Itemid=58
  
  Gowherehiphop
  http://www.gowherehiphop.com/2009/01/21/add-2-chicago-kids-all-that-i-got-is-you-more/
  
  2dopeboyz
  http://2dopeboyz.com/2009/01/21/add-2-chicago-kids-x-aint-the-devil-happy-freestyle/
  
  Fakeshore Drive
  http://fakeshoredrive.com/2009/01/add-2-aint-devil-happy-x-chicago-kids.html
  
  Yung Drew
  http://www.yungdrew.com/2009/01/21/add-2-chicago-kids-all-that-i-got-is-you-aint-the-devil-happy-freestyle/
  
  Xclusive Zone
  http://xclusiveszone.blogspot.com/2009/01/add-2-chicago-kids-all-that-i-got-is.html
  
  Hiphop Lives Stupid
  http://www.hiphoplivesstupid.com/wordpress/
  
  Midwest Broadcast
  http://midwestbroadcast.blogspot.com/2009/01/add-2-chicago-kids-aint-devil-happy.html
  

• Allhiphop Breeding Ground [+ Show ]
  

  Supply and demand plays a major role in any world, whether it is entertainment, financial or just re...Supply and demand plays a major role in any world, whether it is entertainment, financial or just regular day to day living. Add-2, hailing from the Windy City, is all too privy to this. His name doesn’t bear any significance to his being a mathematical genius, in fact it was his words of wisdom dropped on him from his father and his government that encouraged his moniker.
  
  Born and raised in Chicago, Add-2 avoided the pull of the cities notorious street culture by putting his pen to paper. He watched and learned from the experiences and downfall of those around him, never allowing himself to succumb to the generic path taken by friends and associates.
  
  With his mind focused on uncovering his bonafide fan base, Andre Daniels is doing things his way. Not falling prey to the strains of the industry, all he wants to do is create good music for those who want it like "Let It Bang," and "Certified Track Killa." There is no guerilla marketing involved with him, just a hardworking lyricist searching for people who appreciate his talent and stories..continue reading:
  
  http://allhiphop.com/stories/breedingground/archive/2008/10/29/20636224.aspx

• Add-2 on Okayplayer [+ Show ]
  

  The Beat on The Roots cut "75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)" is so hard I wondered why more MC's did...The Beat on The Roots cut "75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)" is so hard I wondered why more MC's didn't step up to the plate and try to rhyme over it. Enter Chicago's Add-2, who takes a stab at it in this freestyle. He definitely goes in on this one. What do y'all think, does he do the beat justice? There is a chance Okayplayer may be hosting a Rising Down remix contest in the near future so check back for that.
  
  
  Read More at:
  
  http://www.okayplayer.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Audio-Add-2-Adds-Deconstruction-Freestyle-.html/Itemid,140/

• NEXT 2 BLOW [+ Show ]
  

  Add-2 is an aspiring artist fresh from Chicago’s Southside, although still new to the game he has hi...Add-2 is an aspiring artist fresh from Chicago’s Southside, although still new to the game he has his mind focussed on the bigger picture and what he wants to achieve as an artist.
  
  Not one to be boxed into a corner or labelled as an artist within a certain genre the MC keeps everything he does fresh new and individual to deliver quality music for the masses.
  
  Add-2 really is an artist above them all and with individuality others can only dream of, not only being a rapper is what has shaped him into who he is today but also the fact that Add-2 is a playwright and one time motivational speaker. With that said it makes you want to go and hear his music and see what all the commotion is about surrounding this artist, I can tell you now you will not be disappointed.
  
  There are many rappers out there that claim to be unique with their style and flow and a lot who demand the attention for this yet Add-2 takes it all in his stride, he knows how to be seen and heard and that is through sheer hard work and determination not claiming to be someone you are not.
  
  Read more at www.yoraps.com/next2blow
  

• Sixshot feature [+ Show ]
  

  hicago is known as kind of a no man’s land for hip-hop. While the population and hip-hop scene are h...hicago is known as kind of a no man’s land for hip-hop. While the population and hip-hop scene are huge, there isn’t much of a major label presence in the windy city so it hasn’t been able to do as well as NYC or Atlanta. The artists that do come out of Chicago however make it big.
  
  You have Kanye West who is arguably the biggest artist in hip-hop. You have Twista who besides being the fastest spitting MC of all time is easily one of the game’s finest artists. There’s Common who is legendary in a way that even legends can only dream of. There’s also Lupe Fiasco with his nerdy skateboarder image and flawless flow who constantly pushes the envelope.
  
  It looks like the next up to bat from the Chi isn’t going to be breaking any traditions of being original. His name is Add 2 and if that isn’t original enough, he incorporates jazz and live instruments into his raps. The real surprise is that it’s actually good, really good...continue at:
  
  http://www.sixshot.com/interviews/13606/

• Luxury on MTV
  

  http://www.mtvmusic.com/artist/add_2_1/videos/471073/luxury

• Scouting Report: Add - 2 [+ Show ]
  

  The title of Add-2's new mixtape, Tale Of Two Cities, Vol. 2, comes from the book Tale Of Two Cities...The title of Add-2's new mixtape, Tale Of Two Cities, Vol. 2, comes from the book Tale Of Two Cities. "It's about two guys who look the same, but were different," he says. "I just want to show the many different sides of me, from the story telling aspect to the personal side to the lyrical side and do it in a way where it looks the same. But when you dissect it, there's a lot more there."
  
  Add-2 is all about variety and creativity, as he describes his style: "It's different, but it's grounded in the roots of 94-96 hip-hop. It's lyricism, storytelling, punchlines and flow all mixed in. I like variety, so I try to be as creative as possible. I like to talk about anything under the sun, so one day it can be about having fun, partying, old days and feel good stuff, and next could be darker things like spousal or substance abuse, abortion and falling out with people. It helps keeps fans on their toes. I just want to bring that creativity back because it's lacking."
  
  read more at: http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/editorialscolumns/2008/03/4375/
  

• DXNEXT CERTIFIED [+ Show ]
  

  Repping for Chicago as DX Next artist this week is Add 2. Praised by Chicago’s hometown heroes inclu...Repping for Chicago as DX Next artist this week is Add 2. Praised by Chicago’s hometown heroes including Naledge and famed DJ Mike Love as well as songstresses Teedra Moses and Marsha Ambrosias of Floetry, Add 2 has plenty to offer Hip-Hop enthusiasts. Bringing a breath of reality to a stagnant genre is what this lyricist is all about.
  
  read more at:
  http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/dxnext/id.17/title.add-2/p.1
  
  

Setlist

set includes -
Let It Bang
The Dating Game
Break It Down
This Aint Funny
Black Amerikkka
Luxury
Relax Relate Release

Can perform up to 1 hour

Basic Requirements

Calendar