Orion Free Concert Series: Al Kapone

Part of the Orion Free Concert Series.

About the artist:
Born and raised in a city rich in music history, Memphis native AL KAPONE found himself along with other peers following in their forefathers Stax, Hi Records, etc. footsteps developing a new southern hip hop sound that would later become the southern rap standard. Outside of groups like Three Six Mafia, Eightball & MJG, and Yo Gotti most Memphis artists along with Kapone would go unnoticed to the rest of the country until Craig Brewer and John Singleton’s cult classic film Hustle and Flow which would thrust AL KAPONE in the global spotlight. Kapone wrote and produced three songs for the film and soundtrack, the Oscar winning music would earn AL KAPONE a Critic’s Choice Award for “It Ain’t Over” the Hustle and Flow theme song and “Whoop That Trick” would become one of the most memorable crunk songs of all time and would be the Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis unofficial fan chant at Memphis home games. This led Kapone to write and produce music for other films such as #1 box office movie Stomp The Yard feat. platinum artist Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, Cadillac Records feat. multi platinum megastar Beyonce. Kapone would also go on to co-write top 10 Billboard hits “Snap Yo Fingaz” ( Lil Jon) and “U and Dat” (E40 feat. T-Pain) both songs reached platinum sales making Kapone a multi-platinum songwriter.

AL KAPONE never stopped developing his own music career as an artist/performer, performing shows with a live band and currently working on his fusion of blues and Memphis rap. AL KAPONE has been a trailblazer from the beginning and today is no exception, as the first hip hop artist to become president of the Memphis Chapter of the Grammys. Kapone is also an associate producer and featured artist on the film documentary “Take Me To The River” as well as the music executive producer of Memphis refugee film JACIR. Kapone travels and reps Memphis music globally but one of his biggest passions is mentoring students from elementary to college and all grades in between.