GemStones (rapper)

Infobox musical artist
Name = GemStones
Also known as = Gemini


Img_capt = GemStones performing at a Lupe Fiasco show in Philadelphia
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Died =
Origin = Chicago, Illinois
Occupation = Rapper, Singer
Label = 1st & 15th, Asylum
Associated_acts = Lupe Fiasco

GemStones, (formerly known as "Gemini") is an American entertainer from Chicago. Accordingly GemStones is not officially a rapper, but an entertainer [ [http://www.djbooth.net/index/interviews/entry/gemstones-aka-gemini-interview-0813071/ Gemini a.k.a. GemStones Interview ] ] that performs hip hop as being signed and close friends with Lupe Fiasco.

Early life and career

Raised in Jeffrey Manor/South C on Chicago’s south side, GemStones (formally known as Gemini). Being part of a musical family was only the beginning for the south side native. He went on to nurture his craft at Bowen High School, where he was a student in the visual and performing arts program. After graduating high school, In early 2001, GemStones had a chance meeting with then unknown rappers Lupe Fiasco and the late Stack Bundles. Fiasco, who had his own company 1st and 15th Recordings, was impressed by the rapper/singer and later in that year decided to sign GemStones to the 1st and 15th label. GemStones spent many years writing and preparing for his time to showcase his talent. That time finally came in 2006 when Lupe Fiasco featured GemStones on four out of the sixteen tracks (including a track which features Jay-Z) on his debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. GemStones was also featured in Fiasco’s video for the first single off the album “Kick, Push”. In that same year GemStones was given the opportunity to headline the soundtrack for the MTV special “My Block: Chicago”, where the Chicago MC/Singer was featured. From that GemStones released and shot a video for his buzz single “Got What You Need”. With the success of Food & Liquor and the feature on MTV it was time for GemStones to release his own project and he did just that. In 2006, part five of the Fahrenheit 1/15 mixtape series named Untamed Beast was GemStones solo effort and formally introduced the MC to the hip hop game. The mixtape was featured on all the major hip hop websites, receiving a 5-star rating, and is still getting downloaded via his MySpace page. In 2007 GemStones released his first single from his debut album “Troubles of the World”. The single “We On” features Lupe Fiasco and generated a massive buzz, gaining GemStones fans and supporters from across the globe. Following the release of “We On” Gemstones was featured once again and even wrote on Lupe Fiasco’s sophomore LP “The Cool”. GemStones was featured on “Dumb It Down”, the first single from that project. In support of the album Fiasco embarked on a nationwide tour, where GemStones served as one of the featured artist on the sold out venture. He’s received plenty attention from the press, being featured in prominent hip hop magazines such as The Source and XXL. Gemstones has recently released his follow up mixtape “The Testimony of GemStones” and is preparing his highly anticipated debut effort “Troubles of the World”, due to release in 2008.

Discography

* "Fahrenheit 1/15 Part V: Untamed Beast" (2007)
* "Fahrenheit 1/15 Part VI:The Testimony of GemStones" (2008)
* "Untitled Album with Lupe Fiasco & Shayla G" (TBA)
* "Troubles Of The World" [ [http://allhiphop.com/stories/rumors/archive/2008/04/09/19620202.aspx Rumors : Hip-Hip Rumors: Wayne's Carter III Cover! Alicia Keys To Marry? Jim Jones Beef Over! ] ]

As a feature performer

"Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor"

* "Just Might Be OK" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Gemini)
* "He Say, She Say" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Sarah Green & Gemini)
* "Pressure" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Jay-Z & Gemini)

"Lupe Fiasco's The Cool"

* "Free Chilly" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Sarah Green & GemStones)
* "Dumb It Down" (Lupe Fiasco featuring GemStones & Graham Burris)
* "The Die" (Lupe Fiasco featuring GemStones)
* "Go Baby" (Lupe Fiasco featuring GemStones)
* "Blackout" (Lupe Fiasco featuring GemStones)

References

External links

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