In contrast to many '90s rappers, Kwamé fashioned a good-natured, humorous, somewhat intellectual persona for himself and is one of the few rappers to utilize a live band (A New Beginning) both live and in the studio. Born Kwamé Holland, he grew up in New York City's jazz scene, receiving his first set of drums from Lionel Hampton and hanging out with Stevie Wonder as a child. Kwamé's 1989 debut, Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning, was produced by Hurby Luv Bug Azor (Salt-N-Pepa) and showcased his mix of old-school and Daisy Age styles. The follow-up, A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure, was a concept album about exactly what the title said: an ordinary day in Kwamé's life as a high schooler. 1991's Nastee wasn't as successful as his two previous releases, and he moved from Atlantic to Wrap/Ichiban. He released a new album, Incognito, in 1994 with partners DJ Tat Money and A-Sharp. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi