Los (rapper)

King Los
Birth name Carlos Coleman
Also known as King Los, Swagger Boy Los
Born (1982-03-23) March 23, 1982
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, singer, record producer
Years active 1999–present
Labels After Platinum, 88 Classic, RCA (current), Bad Boy, Interscope, Bloc Incorporated (former)
Associated acts Lola Monroe, Diddy, Devin Cruise, Kid Ink, Mark Battles, Sway, Brecreation

Carlos Coleman (born March 23, 1982) is an American rapper, singer, and record producer, better known by his stage name Los or King Los. Los has released various mixtapes during his career including The Crown Ain't Safe and Becoming King to critical acclaim. He originally signed to Bad Boy Records during the 2005 in conjunction with his Bloc Incorporated record deal. After his deal fell through when Bloc folded, he returned to releasing music independently. Los signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records again in February 2012, which is now distributed by Interscope Records. However, on March 19, 2014, he would announce that he was again leaving Bad Boy and Interscope. He is currently signed to After Platinum, 88 Classic and RCA.

Musical career

1999–2010: Beginnings and building buzz

As a 16-year-old high school student, Los, began writing poetry and literature to deal with the pain of losing his father to murder.[1] At 18 he started rapping, when he would participate in the local Baltimore battle rap scene, He cites Eminem, Nas, Big L, Big Pun and Canibus as his top emcees and influences to his style.[2] Right out of high school in 2002, Los auditioned for Diddy's Making the Band 2, but after being selected to appear on the show, he refused to sign any of the paperwork required, so he was unable to appear on it.[3][4] As fate would have it, Los would end up signed to Bad Boy Records in 2005, through Bloc Incorporated a local Baltimore record label. His signing to Bad Boy came after he auditioned for Diddy with a 10-minute freestyle. However, Bloc Incorporated eventually disbanded due to a legal issue and Los lost his deal in 2008, before he was able to release an album.[5]

Once he returned independent in 2008, Los released a number of mixtapes and online freestyles in the following years to build his buzz.[3][4][5] His first and second would be Guilty Until Proven Innocent and G5: Certified Fly, both released in 2008.[1] He followed that with G5.2 in May 2009.[6] His third mixtape Zero Gravity was released during April 2010.[7] Then, the mixtape was Welcome To Swaggsville was released on August 5, 2010.[8] His sixth mixtape Shooter was released on November 8, 2010.[9] It featured collaborations with Rick Ross and his After Platinum label-mate Cory Gunz.[10] On December 26, 2010, Los released his seventh mixtape The Louis Vuitton Gift Pack.[11] The mixtape was primarily composed of freestyles and featured a collaboration with Chris Brown.[12]

2011–13: The Crown Ain't Safe and Becoming King

On July 18, 2011, Los released a mixtape titled Worth the Wait, mostly made of tracks cut from his upcoming mixtape The Crown Ain't Safe.[13] On December 5, 2011, Los released The Crown Ain't Safe. The mixtape featured guest appearances by Lola Monroe, Jazze Pha, DMX, Kid Ink, Twista and XV.[14] Along with production by Jahlil Beats, Lifted, J. Oliver and Rick Steel, among others.[15] It was met with positive critical reception upon release.[16] Following the release of The Crown Ain't Safe, there was something of a bidding war to sign Los by multiple labels.[17] He was then nominated for XXL's 2012 Freshman 10 list.[3] On February 6, 2012, Diddy announced to MTV that his newest signee to Bad Boy Records was Los.[4][18] Right after the announcement he begun working on his debut mixtape for Bad Boy.[16]

On March 15, 2013, Los announced the release date for Becoming King as April 25, 2013. It would be his first project released since his return to Bad Boy Records.[19] As promised, the mixtape Becoming King was released on April 25, 2013.[20][21] The mixtape featured all-original music[22] and guest appearances from Diddy, Fantasia, Juicy J, Ludacris, Pusha T, Raheem DeVaughn, Tank, Twista, Wiz Khalifa and Yo Gotti, among others. Production was handled by 1500 or Nothin', Harry Fraud, J. Oliver, Rob Holladay and Sonny Digital, among others.[23] Becoming King was met with generally positive reviews from music critics.[17][24][25] XXL gave the mixtape a positive review saying, "There are heartfelt tales touching on his family, love for music and the trials and tribulations of life. As usual, Los’ strongest asset is an ability to deliver vivid imagery through lyrics and a captivating flow[...] Lyrically, Los is as sharp as ever, and the mixtape is a continuation of the verbal assaults he’s known for."[17]

2013–present: Departure from Bad Boy and signing to RCA

Los was featured on labelmate French Montana's song "Ocho Cinco" also featuring labelmates Diddy, Red Cafe and MGK taken from the deluxe edition of Montana's album Excuse My French. On August 13, 2013, Los released a freestyle over the controversial "Control" song.[26] Kendrick Lamar would shortly after praise Los' response as the best one released.[27] He was then featured on "No Option" by Kid Ink, a promotional single from Ink's second studio album My Own Lane.[28] On December 28, 2013, Los released Broken Silence a collaboration mixtape with rapper Mark Battles. The mixtape featured guest appearances from Wale, Dizzy Wright, CyHi the Prynce, Chevy Woods and Ab-Soul, among others.[29]

Surprisingly, following the announcement of the mixtape Zero Gravity II, on March 19, 2014, Los revealed that he was leaving Bad Boy Records and Interscope.[30] He later elaborated on the story to MTV saying, "Forever in the Bad Boy family, just I've chose to explore other endeavors just like my mentor; just like Puff."[31] He then told XXL that it was more of a situation with Interscope than Bad Boy, as Interscope was not giving him any attention or push, and Los had choose to rather be independent again.[32] On March 24, 2014, Los released his twelfth official mixtape Zero Gravity II.[33] Following that, from April 1 to May 31, 2014, Los toured with collaborator Kid Ink as a supporting act on the My Own Lane concert tour.[34]

On October 23, 2014, Los made an appearance on HOT 97's Ebro in the Morning radio show and confirmed a new deal with RCA Records and 88 Classic, with the only details revealed being the announcement of P. Diddy being an executive producer for his pre-debut album, titled God, Money, War, with RCA and 88 Classic.[35] It was released June 23, 2015. On August 24, 2015, Los appeared on Why? with Hannibal Buress, performing the title track on GodMoneyWar. Los then went on to headline the God, Money, War Tour along with fellow rapper Skate Maloley among others. He was one of many features on P. Diddy's mixtape MMM, Lil Wayne's mixtape No Ceilings 2 and later Wiz Khalifa's mixtape Cabin Fever 3

Personal life

On December 25, 2012, Los' girlfriend, rapper Lola Monroe announced that she and Los were expecting their first child together.[36] She then gave birth to a baby boy named Brixton Royal Coleman on March 12, 2013.[37][38]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US R&B US
Rap
GodMoneyWar[39] 68 5 4

Mixtapes

Singles

As a lead artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
 US R&B
[40]		 US Rap
"Only One of Me" 2014 — — — N/A
"War"
(featuring Marsha Ambrosius)		 2015 — — — God, Money, War
"Can't Fade Us"
(featuring Ty Dolla $ign)		 — — —
"Glory to the Lord"
(featuring R. Kelly)		 — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As a featured artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Song Year Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B		 US
Rap
"Better Days"
(Brecreation featuring King Los)		 2016 — — — Knowledge Speaks Wisdom Listens
"Look at Me"
(Cashis featuring King Los, K. Young and B Todd)		 2013 — — — The County Hound 2
"No Option"
(Kid Ink featuring King Los)		 — — — My Own Lane
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B
[41]
"Ocho Cinco"
(French Montana featuring Machine Gun Kelly, Diddy, Red Cafe and Los)		 2013 — 52 Mac & Cheese 3 and Excuse My French
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. 1 2 Stovall, Calvin. "Los Credits 'Big Brother' Diddy for Bad Boy Return". BET. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Los Biography | B'more Los". Bmorelos.com. February 1, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Los Signs With Bad Boy Records. . .Again | Noise". Blogs.citypaper.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 "Exclusive: Diddy Adds Baltimore MC Los To Bad Boy Roster – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. February 6, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  5. 1 2 » by C. Vernon Coleman II February 7, 2012, 10:57am (February 7, 2012). "Diddy Re-Signs Baltimore Rapper Los To Bad Boy Records". Hip-Hop Wired. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Los – G5.2 Hosted by Dj Wonda // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. May 27, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  7. ↑ "LoS – Zero Gravity Hosted by Presented By After Platinum Records and The Aphilliates // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. April 26, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Los – Welcome To Swaggsville [VeryHot!!!] // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Los – Shooter Hosted by DJ ill Will, DJ Rockstar // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  10. ↑ Paine, Jake (November 4, 2010). "Los Explains Baltimore Influencing Raps, "Shooter" Mixtape | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Los: The Louis Vuitton Gift Pack Mixtape (NEW MUSIC)". Global Grind. December 26, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Los – The Louis Vuitton Gift Pack Hosted by After Platinum // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. December 26, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Los Chats With TheSource.com On What’s ‘Worth The Wait’". TheSource. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Mixtape: Los – The Crown Ain’t Safe". TheSource. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Los Drops New Mixtape The Crown Ain't Safe [Download Now] – XXL". Xxlmag.com. December 5, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  16. 1 2 Jake Crates (February 13, 2012). "Exclusive: Los: Bad Boy’s Baltimore Billionaire in Training". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  17. 1 2 3 "Mixtape Review: Los, Becoming King – XXL". Xxlmag.com. May 10, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Diddy Signs Los To Bad Boy Records". TheSource. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Bad Boy Rapper King Los Announces ‘Becoming King’ Mixtape Release Date". The Versed. March 19, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  20. ↑ Case, Wesley (April 25, 2013). "Baltimore rapper Los releases 'Becoming King' mixtape – Baltimore Sun". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Los' "Becoming King" Mixtape Is Out Now". Complex. April 25, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Los Preps Rap Coronation On Becoming King Mixtape – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. April 22, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  23. ↑ Los Follow @iamKingLos  . "Los – Becoming King – Download & Stream". Djbooth.net. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Los 'Becoming King' (Mixtape Review)". Mimo.recordingconnection.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Los, ‘Becoming King’ – Mixtape Review". Thedrop.fm. April 30, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  26. ↑ Homie, Big (August 13, 2013). "New Music: Los "Control (Freestyle)" (Kendrick Response)". Rap Radar. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  27. ↑ Harling, Danielle (August 29, 2013). "Kendrick Lamar Says King Los Had The Best "Control" Response | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Premiere: Kid Ink Featuring King Los "No Option" – XXL". Xxlmag.com. December 16, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  29. ↑ Baker, Soren (December 30, 2013). "King Los & Mark Battles "Broken Silence" Release Date, Cover Art, Download & Mixtape Stream | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  30. ↑ Emmanuel C.M. (March 19, 2014). "King Los Is Parting Ways With Bad Boy Records – XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  31. ↑ "King Los Leaves Bad Boy: Was Diddy's 'Nobody' Rant The Reason?". MTV. March 19, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  32. ↑ Emmanuel C.M. (March 20, 2014). "Diddy Isn't To Blame For King Los Leaving Bad Boy Records – XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  33. ↑ Diep, Eric. "King Los Releases New Mixtape, ‘Zero Gravitiy II’ – XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Kid Ink Announces My Own Lane Tour With King Los & Bizzy Crook [PHOTO". Hip-Hop Wired. February 13, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  35. ↑ http://www.bet.com/news/music/2014/10/23/king-los-signs-with-rca.html
  36. ↑ Dot, B. (December 26, 2012). "Los & Lola Monore Expecting Baby". Rap Radar. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  37. ↑ Paine, Jake (March 15, 2013). "Lola Monroe & Los Release Photograph Of Newborn Son | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  38. ↑ Paine, Jake (March 15, 2013). "Lola Monroe & Los Release Photograph Of Newborn Son | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  39. ↑ "iTunes - Music - God, Money, War by King Los". Itunes.apple.com. 1992-10-19. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  40. ↑ "A$AP Ferg – Chart history". Billboard.
  41. ↑ MGK – Chart history | Billboard
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