Ilacoin
| Ilacoin | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 15, 1973 Bronx, New York City, United States |
| Origin | Harlem, New York |
| Genres | Hip Hop, R&B |
| Labels | Gee Street, Island Records, Game Recordings, Rawkus, Fat Beats, Triple Bars |
| Associated acts | Brand Nubian, Doug E. Fresh, Easy Mo Bee, Ski Beatz, Marley Marl, Wu-Tang Clan, Black Rob, Ron Browz, Mos Def, Royce 5' 9" |
| Notable instruments | |
| SP 1200, MPC 5000, guitar & keyboard | |
Christian J. A. Faloye (born July 15, 1973), known by his stage names Ilacoin (or simply Coin), is an American rapper and producer. He is the grandson of Yoruba royalty, the son of Nigerian immigrants, but raised mostly by a single American mother. His father, before he was 1 would move him around all of New York to Delaware to New Jersey back to Harlem, where he finally became settled at age 9, living across the street from Tupac Shakur and family. There in Harlem with the absence of a father, a latchkey child, he would begin to become familiar with the local gang and street life. His cousin Fatima Faloye of New York Undercover fame, who he refers to as his sister would be instrumental in "keeping" him out of the streets, eventually introducing him to Ahkmed Obafemi and wife, Sonoviah (parents to Tchaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon of DTP/Ebony Son) who would become his "godparents" and introduce him to Islam for the first time in his life. Ilacoin became a respected talent from Harlem in the Hip Hop culture.
Serving originally as a Hip Hop dancer, he frequented the New York City night life from the age of 14, socializing with the likes of Doug E. Fresh, Puff Daddy (Diddy), Mike Tyson, Red Alert and others. Supported by Rev. Mariah Britton and the Riverside Church Afterschool program he honed his skills as a leader and choreographer scoring 1st place at The Apollo Amateur night. He began rapping soon after, opening up for Poor Righteous Teachers, Brand Nubian, Nice and Smooth, Main Source and Leaders of The New School. He earned his name in the streets as an MC battling on the streets and in project hallways.
Offered deals from labels since 16, he began to learn the business behind the scenes. Still running the streets, he became distracted in them until his 1st son was born. That began to help him focus, garnering the interest of Doug E Fresh. He would go on to co-write and make his first professional appearance on Fresh's last major distributed album, Play (Ayo-Aiight, Get Da Money & Breath of Fresh Air) while raising his children as a single father. Ultimately becoming estranged from Fresh he would return to the streets. While working on Play, he would meet Easy Mo Bee (Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Big Daddy Kane, Miles Davis & etc.) and Ski Beatz (Bizzy Boyz, Original Flavor, Jay-Z, Camp Lo, etc.). Both would become instrumental in teaching him production and beatmaking. He would lend his talent for spotting hits to influence records on Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt (Can't Knock The Hustle and Dead Presidents). His network consisting of many of Hip Hop's elite would lead him to finally signing his 1st and only industry deal in 1999 with Game Recordings through Rawkus. (Eminem, Royce 5' 9"). He would release two singles: By A Stranger (Grand Theft Auto III) featuring Black Rob (Bad Boy) and then unknown, Labba (Flipmode Squad) and Keep It Street featuring Sadat X of Brand Nubian.
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