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Keith Murray

Real Name: Keith Murray
D.O.B.: September 13th, 1974 Central Islip, NY

Keith Murray, a member of Erick Sermon's Def Squad with Brick City's Redman is predominantly a solo artist. Famous for the "Most Beautifullest Thing in the World". Active since 1994, he has since dropped five commercial full-length albums.

As a child Keith Murray lead a rough childhood, losing both of his parents at an early age. When Murray was in eighth grade, his father died from cirrhosis of the liver. His mother later died from AIDS, as would his sister. He verged on a career as a rapper when, before any recording contract he battled the legendary Juice Crew emcee, Big Daddy Kane who is regarded as being one of the greatest. At the time, Murray went by the name of MC Do Damage. Although he lost the battle he gained wide respect from Kane and industry peers such as K-Solo who introduced Murray to Erick Sermon from E.P.M.D. Sermon featured Murray on his album, No Pressure where he was recognised as a very creative lyricist. Not long after he released his first album, The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World in November, 1994 on Jive Records. The title-track remains Murray's biggest solo hit. The album was given 4 mics by The Source magazine.

Keith Murray has been constantly plagued with negative attention and an extensive criminal record. In '95 after a bar fight in New Britain, Connecticut he was charged and later convicted of second-degree assault. Allegedly Murray allegedly beat sixteen year old David Hughes with a stool after members of Murray's posse had already knocked Hughes unconscious. Hughes was said to be trying to break up a fight between his brother and members of Murray's crew. He attempted to appeal his case on several occasions but failed every time. Murray fled sentencing but finally turned himself in 1998. He was then sentenced to five years, but only served 33 months. During this time Keith Murray continued to record for Jive Records. In November '96 he released, Enigma.

Second album, Enigma received similar ratings from critics and reached the 6th spot on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, but it was not quite as commercially successful as the previous album. In 1998, The Def Squad covered "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang. They would later release their own album, El Niño. Murray's third album, It's a Beautiful Thing was released in 1999 while he was in prison.This also garnered good reviews, but it showed yet another drop in sales. Murray also appeared on the song, "Home Alone" by R Kelly. In 2001, Murray's return to the music industry was announced with a memorable verse on "Fatty Girl." This song was featured on The Good Life, a compilation of songs for Fubu.

While still incarcerated, Murray continued working and upon his release, he left Jive and signed with Def Jam. He's Keith Murray was released in 2003. Murray claims to have chosen this title because the album represents him. The album featured the single "Yeah, Yeah U Know It." which hosted guest appearances from Def Squad's Redman and Erick Sermon. Murray dedicated "Christina" to his sister. That same year, Murray was featured on the video game Def Jam Vendetta.

His term with Def jam would be terminated in 2004 after Murray had an altercation with a street-team member and allegedly choked him. He also had to deal with a lawsuit relating back to a stabbing at Webster Hall in New York in 2004. The lawsuit was filed in Kings County Court in Brooklyn, claiming that the rapper allegedly stabbed a fan during a concert in the early morning hours of Christmas day.

As of July, 2007 Keith Murray is back on track having just released his fifth solo project, Rap-Murr-Phobia.

Discography:

  • 1994 The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World (Chart position: #5) Last RIAA Certification: Gold
  • 1996 Enigma (Chart position: #6)
  • 1999 It's A Beautiful Thing (Chart position: #9)
  • 2003 He's Keith Murray (Chart position: #11)
  • 2007 Rap-Murr-Phobia (The Fear of Real Hip-Hop)

  • with Def Squad:

  • 1998 El Niño (Chart position: #1)



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