Loon | |
---|---|
Born |
Chauncey Lamont Hawkins June 20, 1975 Harlem, New York City, New York, United States |
Other names | Loon (stage name) Amir Junaid Hawkins (after conversion to Islam) |
Occupation | Rapper, religious activist |
Years active | 1998—2009 |
Home town | New York |
Musical career | |
Genres | Hip hop |
Instruments | voice |
Labels |
Bad Boy Records (2001—2004) Boss Up Entertainment (2004—2009) |
Associated acts | Diddy, Mase, Harlem World |
Amir Junaid Muhadith (born Chauncey Lamont Hawkins , June 20, 1975 in Harlem, New York) best known by his stage name Loon, was an American rapper formerly signed to P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records. He is best known for his role in P. Diddy's 2001 hits "I Need a Girl (Part One)" & "I Need a Girl (Part Two)" .
Chauncey Hawkins born in Harlem, started his music career as a member of Mase's rap collective Harlem World and then became part of P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records under the name Loon. He released his self-titled debut album Loon and made many guest appearances on songs of the R&B and hip hop genres. In 2004, Loon left Bad Boy Records to start his own label, Boss Up Entertainment.
Loon converted to Islam in December 2008 after a trip to Abu Dhabi (UAE). Born Chauncey Lamont Hawkins, he changed his name to Amir Junaid Muhadith, travelling to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest site of Islam to perform Umrah. After having converted to Islam, he subsequently ended his music career. He moved to Egypt where he lived until 2011.
While on a trip to Brussels, he was arrested on November 22, 2011. In May 2012, he was extradited to the United States and in July 2013, he was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy with intent to traffic one or more kilos of heroin.
He is now serving his sentence in a federal prison.