STIX
Los Angeles, CA | Established. Jan 01, 2004 | INDIE | AFTRA
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Press
Watts, California rapper Stix is currently on the ride of his life as part of Snoop Dogg’s Puff Puff Pass Tour Part 2. In between time, he managed to create a 2-in-1 video for “Getting To The Paper” and “Sorry Peta.” Those unfamiliar with the young artist may remember him as a dancer, who helped propel a dance move called the “KRUMP” in the early 2000s.
During mid-2006, Stix and partner, Nicholas Gouche, developed a worldwide rap battle league called “The Pit,” where the battle rap careers of Dizaster and Daylyt were born. In just a short time, “The Pit” became LA’s most popular Hip Hop event, amassing support from some of the West Coast’s most notable artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Problem, YG, Glasses Malone, Roscoe, Mistah Fab, J-Doe, Gizzle (Bad Boy), and BadLucc (Diamond Lane). “The Pit” also received support from artist outside of the western region like Nas, Redman, and Young Jeezy.
While Stix continues to carve out his own lane in Hip Hop culture, check out the video above. - Hiphop DX
STIX last singles “Gettin2da” & “Sorry Peta” hit the blogs and playlists in record time, which placed him in another class amongst new artists, landing him a slot on Snoop Dogg’s Puff Puff Pass Tour. Today, we are excited to bring you his new visual for “World Class.” - Youheardthatnew
The group of nine influencers alongside Snoop include: music artist/rapper Ty Dolla $ign, actor Terrence J, music artist/rapper STIX, photographer Aris Jerome, photographer Marcus Hyde, jewelry and fashion designer Melody Ehsani, celebrity stylist Ugo Mozie, visual artist Devin Troy Strother, music singer/songwriter October London, and recording artist Lalah Hathaway.
We sat down with Snoop at The Tanqueray TEN photo shoot in Los Angeles and got a behind the scenes look of Snoop’s vision coming to life. First thing’s first, Snoop met us at the bar to pour up his signature Gin & Juice cocktail called The Laid Back. Using 1 ounce of Tanqueray No. TEN, 1 ounce of Diddy’s Cîroc Apple, 2 ounces of fresh pineapple juice, with a splash of club soda, you will feel just like the West Coast MC cruising around Long Beach.
“I don’t do the brown because I’m brown enough,” was Snoop’s comical response to choosing gin over brown alcohol, stating that brown gives you the type of hangovers that have you saying you won’t ever drink again. Tanqueray, on the other hand, leaves you wanting to try it all over again. Adding, “There is a certain sophistication and upper echelon when it comes to gin.”
Snoop is no newbie when it comes to preparing food and drinks in the kitchen. In 2016, he linked up with Marta Stewart to create Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Party for VH1. For you, it might’ve seemed like an interesting combination, but for Snoop, he says Martha may look different, born in a different era and slightly different from what he’s accustomed to, but the two share similar values that make them a good match.
“If you have the chance to just chill with her, she’s just like anyone else,” he says. “That’s why it works, she never says anything that’s crazy to my ear that I wouldn’t expect. I’m usually like: ‘Wow, I thought you would say that,’ It feels like Holy Matrimony not holy macaroni.”
In June of 2016, the rapper released his 14th studio album Coolaid, which did not receive the results he was expecting from the body of work. DJs were not taking willing to take chances on his record because it didn’t sound like the rap styles currently playing in the club. The icon found a way to help you understand his concept of the album with a new movie called Coolaid to support the album, releasing in March.
Also be on the lookout for his new artist October London’s new album, as well as other projects he’s working on with Morris Day, Bootsy Collins and new music from his daughter. - Global Grind
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Brandon “Stix” Salaam-Bailey (born July 13, 1983) is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Salaam-Bailey was born and raised in Watts, Ca, having started off as a full-time dancer in 2002, creating one of the most popular dance movements in the world called “KRUMP.” After ending his dance career in 2004, he began helping aspiring rapper, Krystal Johnson, who would be later called Ak’Sent. Her first single “This One,” which Stix wrote, made it to the Coach Carter soundtrack and movie. Eventually, Ak’Sent secured a recording contract with Capitol Records.
Thereafter, In 2005, Stix released his critically acclaimed mixtape with Atlanta crooner Bobby V. titled The Next of Both Worlds. This mixtape has received over 1 million streams to date and songs “My World” received heavy airplay on major Los Angeles radio stations.
During mid-2006, Stix and partner, Nicholas Gouche, developed a worldwide rap battle league called “The Pit” where the battle rap careers of Dizaster and Daylyt were born. The Pit in just a short time immediately became an LA staple. The PIT amassed support from some of the west coast’s most notable artist like Kendrick Lamar, Tyrese, YG, Glasses Malone, Nas, Redman, and Young Jeezy.
In 2009, Stix released his second independent album titled “Late For Soundcheck”. The album had features from Tyrese, singer/songwriter James Fauntleroy, Luke James, and Chicago native BJ The Chicago Kid. The album also received production from Grammy-nominated producers Steve “Swiff D” Thornton, Maejor Ali, Marcus “Seige” White, Chordz 3D, and 1500 or Nothin.
In 2012, his determination and will to succeed would later lead him to work with, develop, and executive produce pop rapper Iggy Azalea on her first mixtape Ignorant Art. Along with hyping up crowds on stage with I-G-G-Y, Stix would go forward and executive produce Iggy’s “Glory” album with rap legend TI, and “Trap Gold” with FKI’s 1st down and edm producer Diplo.
Billboard’s cover story music executive Sarah Stennett, hired Stix to join her Turn First / First Access roster of A&R’s in late 2014. Stix would develop, executive produce, and oversee projects from artist Bishop Nehru, Zernell Fontaine, and Laurel. Stix would also lend his services as a songwriter/record producer to exclusively produce and write for artist like Rita Ora, Zayn Malik, Ellie Goulding and other Turn First / First Access artist. During the end of Summer 2015, pop star Iggy Azalea tweeted that she was back in the studio with her good friends Stix, and the collective D.R.U.G.S to work on her 2017 release “Digital Distortion”. The first leak “Azillion” received over 1 million views on Soundcloud in 2 days and the first official single "Team" debuted #42 on the Billboard Hot 100, IGGY's highest debut of her career. As of Dec 8th, ‘Team’ received gold certification by the RIAA making it Stix’s first certified gold record. Team has also received over 150+ Million views online and streamed over 30+ million times. Stix would also lend his songwriter/record producer services and work with artist like Rita Ora, Cody Simpson, Lil Debbie, Nicole Scherzinger, and Greyson Chance.
Now, Stix is currently Tanqueray Ten's official music program ambassador for their liquor spirit. Tanqueray will fully endorse and support all of Stix's innovative content and promotional material. Stix’s superior ability to perform secured him a slot as the opening act on the Puff Puff Pass Tour 2 behind Westcoast legend Snoop Dogg. Other acts on the tour included Dogg Pound, Warren G, Bone Thugs and Harmony, Twista, and Too Short. Finally, Stix was selected for Pepsi Co's 'Stubborn Soda' series campaign. Pepsi highlighted Stix's story on how he managed to become a successful entertainer. Keep your ears and eyes open for the Watts City native and watch the journey as history is being made.
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