88-Keys
88-Keys | |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles Misodi Njapa March 5, 1976 New York City, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, rapper |
| Years active | Early 1990s–present |
| Known for | Producing for Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kid Cudi, Macy Gray, Musiq Soulchild; solo debut album The Death of Adam |
Charles Misodi Njapa (born March 5, 1976), who performs under the stage name 88-Keys, is a record producer and rapper based in New York City, United States.
Biography
Born to Cameroonian parents in New York City, he spent his early years in the Eastchester neighborhood of the Bronx before relocating to West Hempstead on Long Island, where he completed his secondary education.
His fascination with hip hop was sparked in part by the innovative production of Prince Paul on De La Soul's 1989 release 3 Feet High and Rising. During the early 1990s, while interning at The Music Palace studio in West Hempstead, he connected with notable rapper-producers such as Q-Tip, Pete Rock, and Large Professor. It was Large Professor who bestowed upon him the nickname 88-Keys after recognizing his proficiency with the Ensoniq ASR-10 keyboard.
Despite familial encouragement to pursue a medical profession for its reliability, 88-Keys chose to follow a path in music. He briefly attended both Hofstra University and Queens College before leaving academia to collaborate with The Pharcyde in California.
Apart from his musical endeavors, 88-Keys is distinguished by his enthusiasm for fashion, especially for the brand Ralph Lauren. Having worn Polo Ralph Lauren since his high school days, he had accumulated a collection exceeding 700 items by 2008.
Starting out as an assistant engineer, 88-Keys has produced tracks for prominent artists including Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kid Cudi, Macy Gray, and Musiq Soulchild. He later expanded his artistic scope by releasing his own solo debut, The Death of Adam, on November 11, 2008. This concept album—executively overseen by Kanye West—tells the narrative of Adam's homicide in Harlem. Preceding this release was a fifteen-track mixtape entitled Adam's Case Files, which functioned as a thematic prelude. The album's lead single, "Stay Up! (Viagra)", became available on iTunes on September 9, 2008. In December of that year, he earned recognition as Spin Artist of the Day. The following year, he collaborated with Atlanta-based female duo Addictive on material intended for their upcoming album.
In June 2019, 88-Keys revealed plans to release "That's Life", featuring vocals from both Sia and the late Mac Miller. This project received approval from Miller’s estate and was distributed via Warner Records on June 20, 2019.
Discography
- Adam's Case Files Mixtape (2008)
- Stay Up! (Viagra) Prescription Pack – EP (2008)
- The Death of Adam (2008)