Paris

Biography

Oscar Jackson Jr. (born October 29, 1967), better known by his stage name Paris, is an American rapper and record producer from San Francisco, California, known for his highly charged political and socially conscious lyrics. Influenced by the Black Panthers, he was once a member of the Nation of Islam.

Biography

Paris attended Town School for Boys in San Francisco. He earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis.

Early career

In 1989, Paris founded his independent label, Scarface Records, and released the single "Scarface Groove". The track became the opener for his debut album, The Devil Made Me Do It×The Devil Made Me Do It9 October 1990 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 17 tracks1Intro0:402Scarface Groove4:363This Is a Test2:474Panther Power3:585Break the Grip of Shame3:346Warning1:077Ebony3:568Brutal3:539On the Prowl1:1010The Devil Made Me Do It4:1311The Hate That Hate Made1:0912Mellow Madness4:5113I Call Him Mad4:1714Escape From Babylon5:1815Wretched3:3316Break the Grip of Shame8:0717The Devil Made Me Do It5:45, issued in 1990. Musically, the single has been compared to the style of Eric B. & Rakim and showcases Paris’s early approach to lyricism. The rest of the album takes a more overtly political direction, incorporating references to the Black Panther Party and other revolutionary movements. Its release marked the beginning of a career defined by political commentary, controversial cover art, and frequent challenges related to censorship. Paris earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Davis.

1990s

Paris became known in the US in 1990 with the hit single "The Devil Made Me Do It×The Devil Made Me Do It9 October 1990 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 17 tracks1Intro0:402Scarface Groove4:363This Is a Test2:474Panther Power3:585Break the Grip of Shame3:346Warning1:077Ebony3:568Brutal3:539On the Prowl1:1010The Devil Made Me Do It4:1311The Hate That Hate Made1:0912Mellow Madness4:5113I Call Him Mad4:1714Escape From Babylon5:1815Wretched3:3316Break the Grip of Shame8:0717The Devil Made Me Do It5:45" and the album The Devil Made Me Do It, borrowing the title phrase from comedian Flip Wilson who made it famous in the 1970s through his persona Geraldine Jones. Originally released on Tommy Boy Records, Paris's first video was banned by MTV.
When his second album, Sleeping with the Enemy×Sleeping With the Enemy23 November 1992 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracksA1The Enema (live at the White House)1:54A2Make Way for a Panther2:29A3Sleeping With the Enemy2:42A4House Niggas Bleed Too1:32A5Bush Killa4:52A6Coffee, Donuts & Death3:53A7Thinka ’Bout It4:26A8Guerrillas in the Mist3:11B1The Days of Old4:20B2Long Hot Summer1:43B3Conspiracy of Silence3:41B4Funky Lil’ Party2:50B5Check It Out Ch’all3:29B6Rise1:13B7Assata’s Song5:20, was ready for release in 1992, Paris was dropped from now-defunct Tommy Boy Records and distributor Warner Bros. Records, owned by Time Warner, when the parent company discovered its incendiary content, which included fantasy revenge killings of then–President George H. W. Bush and racist police officers. Also problematic was the album's insert, which featured the artist waiting behind a tree, holding a TEC-9, as the president was waving to the crowd. Paris eventually released the LP himself on his own label Scarface Records. Also in 1992, Paris contributed to industrial music band Consolidated's 1992 album Play More Music with the track "Guerrillas in the Mist."
Paris signed a major artist and distribution deal with Priority Records for himself and Scarface Records in 1993 and released his third LP, Guerrilla Funk×Guerrilla Funk1 January 1994 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Prelude1:142It’s Real4:373One Time fo’ Ya Mind4:414Guerrilla Funk4:555Blacks & Blues0:446Bring It to Ya5:177Outta My Life5:108Whatcha See4:51940 Ounces and a Fool1:1410Back in the Days4:3711Guerrilla Funk (Deep fo’ Real mix)8:0012It’s Real (Extended Movement mix)7:17. He signed several up-and-coming groups, most notably the Conscious Daughters. Paris and Priority formally severed their business relationship due to creative differences in 1995, and in 1997, Paris signed a one-off deal with Whirling Records (distributed by Rykodisc) for the release of his fourth LP, Unleashed×Unleashed24 February 1998 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Mob On3:252Fair Weather Friendz4:263Ride with Me2:364Act Right3:585Street Soldier5:016It Don't Stop4:03744 Wayz4:488Root of All Evil4:099Widow4:1110Sucks Free3:1511Record Label Murder2:3012Conversation3:35134 Da Ridaz2:2814Blast First3:57, which was released in small numbers with little promotion. The album contained some explicitly violent and racially charged verses, and while less overtly political as earlier efforts, the lyrics promote racial violence. Also released in Europe with a different track list, the album featuring songs from 1994, 1996 and 1998, some of which were more in the style of his earlier releases. Becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the music industry, Paris retired from recording and worked as a stockbroker, cementing his personal wealth allowing him to independently finance the next stage of his musical endeavors.

2000s

In 2003, Paris returned with the album, Sonic Jihad×Sonic Jihad23 September 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks · 2 discsDisc 1A1Ave BushaniA2Field Nigga BoogieA3Sheep to the SlaughterA4Spilt MilkB1Tear Shit UpB2FreedomB3Aint No LoveB4Lay LowDisc 2C1Life Goes OnC2You Know My NameC3EvilC4AWOLD1Agents of RepressionD2What Would You Do?D3How We DoD4Freedom (The Last Cell remix). The album continued his tradition of controversial cover art, evoking images of the September 11 attacks, it depicts a plane flying toward the White House. Its content is equally radical and covers many topics, including the war on terror, the war in Iraq, police brutality, black-on-black violence, conditions in inner-city communities, the Illuminati, and state-sponsored terrorism. Other politically minded hip-hop artists were featured on the album, including Kam, dead prez, and Public Enemy. Sonic Jihad was the catalyst for the creation of Paris' new label and web site, Guerrilla Funk Recordings, a home for projects and material of such notable acts as dead prez and Public Enemy.
Paris' anti-war anthem "What Would You Do?" (from Sonic Jihad) accuses "the Bush Administration [of playing] a key role in orchestrating the terror attacks of September 11", saying, "Ain't no terror threat, unless approval rating's slumpin'. So I'ma say it for the record we the ones that planned it, ain't no other country took a part or had they hand in it". The song is featured on the 2004 compilation album Peace Not War, Vol. 2. On the 2003 Anybody Killa album Hatchet Warrior, Paris appeared with Monoxide on a track entitled "Ghetto Neighbor."
In 2005, Paris completed a project with Public Enemy, Rebirth of a Nation, the title both a reference to the 1915 film The Birth of a Nation, controversial for its glorification of the Ku Klux Klan and its racist portrayal of African Americans, and PE's 1988 album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. Although Chuck D was the primary vocal performer, Paris penned and produced the bulk of the album, which also featured N.W.A's MC Ren, Immortal Technique, Kam, dead prez, and The Conscious Daughters.
In 2006, Paris also released Paris presents Hard Truth Soldiers, Vol. 1, the first in a Paris-produced compilation series that touched on subjects ranging from war and police brutality to black-on-black crime and domestic violence. It showcased contributions from Public Enemy, the Coup, dead prez, Paris, T-K.A.S.H., Kam, The Conscious Daughters, Mystic, MC Ren, Sun Rise Above, and the Stop the Violence Movement (Mobb Deep, Tray Deee, Soopafly, KRS-One, Defari, Daz, J-Ro, RBX, Bad Azz, WC, Dilated Peoples, Mac Minister, The Alchemist, Mack 10, Evidence, Defari, Everlast, and B-Real), among others.
In addition, Paris introduced the world to former Coup-member T-K.A.S.H. later that year, releasing his debut offering, Turf War Syndrome, and handling production duties as well.
In 2007, Paris released the follow-up companion piece to Rebirth of a Nation, the Public Enemy collaboration Remix of a Nation, and began laying the framework for the film division of Guerrilla Funk Recordings.
Paris inked a distribution deal with Fontana/Universal for Guerrilla Funk (with movies through Vivendi) in late 2007, and released his next album, Acid Reflex×Acid Reflex28 October 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Don't Stop the Movement4:532So What3:473Blap That Ass Up4:414The Trap5:435Get Fired Up3:536Neighborhood Watch3:307Acid Reflex4:538True3:369The Violence of the Lambs2:2810Winter in America4:1311The Hustle4:4312Rebels Without Applause3:4813One Gun4:1614Harambe1:5515Don't Stop the Movement (Warrior Dance mix)10:12, featuring Chuck D and George Clinton, in 2008.
In 2009, Paris released Paris Presents: Hard Truth Soldiers, Vol. 2, the sophomore project from T-K.A.S.H., Brains All Over The Streets, and the latest offering from The Conscious Daughters, The Nutcracker Suite.
Paris not only writes and produces songs, but also publishes information about ways to improve inner-city communities. Numerous articles can be found on various subjects in the Thought Box section of Guerrilla Funk's website.

2010s

In 2010, Paris was featured in the musical documentary, Sounds Like a Revolution, and in 2011 was featured on the Insane Clown Posse's Featuring Freshness LP. He performed at that year's Gathering of the Juggalos, and later at the Amsterdam Hiphopfestival in Amsterdam.
Paris' production and original material has been featured in various Hollywood offerings, including Morgan Freeman's HBO documentary Prom Night in Mississippi in 2009, End of Watch, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña in 2012, and 2014's Kill the Messenger, starring Jeremy Renner.
In November 2014, he released a video single, "Night of the Long Knives," which called for an increased unity in the black and brown communities and the adoption of the eye-for-an-eye philosophy toward racist police aggression and brutality in the wake of the tragedy in Ferguson, Missouri and other high-profile shooting deaths.
In August 2015, Paris released his second video single, "Buck, Buck, Pass," a commentary on gun violence, its often ignored racial implications and its after effects.
His album Pistol Politics×Pistol Politics11 September 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 27 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Lethal Warning Shot4:002Bring That Slap Back4:473Truce Music4:314Buck, Buck, Pass4:325Pistol Politics5:126Robert's Theme1:347Night of the Long Knives5:088Hard Truth Soldier (Redux)5:249Hold the Line2:0210Call Signs4:5611Brown Eyes3:3712Raid4:0113Turning Point2:1114Give the Summer Drums4:3015Change We Can Believe In5:00Disc 216Murder Suit3:3917Side Effect2:5818Power0:3719Muggin' Ain't Thuggin'2:2920Martial Law (Redux)5:0321The Greatest1:5422Search Warrant4:5423Pop's Groove3:4524Engage2:0025The War Dance3:1126Keep Pushin'3:1927Up You Mighty Race1:12 was released on September 11, 2015. It was named one of the Best Hip-Hop albums of 2015 by Spin and received an "A−" rating by VICE.
Paris' third single and video, "Hard Truth Soldier (Redux)" was released in November 2015.
Paris became an official contributor to Vice Media in June 2016, beginning his ongoing relationship with that outlet to provide political and entertainment insights on current events from an urban perspective.
In March 2016, EA Sports released UFC2, the second installment of its popular UFC mixed martial arts fighting video game franchise, featuring music produced by Paris.
On September 5, 2016, Paris performed at Hiero Day in Oakland, California - hip-hop collective Hieroglyphics' annual block party celebrating Bay Area indie music, food and culture. In October 2016, Guerrilla Funk released videos for "Lethal Warning Shot" and "Power," the 4th and 5th singles from Paris' acclaimed Pistol Politics release.
Paris rounded out 2016 with contributions to Level 33 Entertainment's mystery/suspense thriller, Blood in the Water.
2018 found Paris' productions included in several movie and television offerings, including Get Shorty on the Epix network, Champaign ILL on YouTube Premium, and Netflix's Flint Town and Hip Hop Evolution, the latter of which featured an in-depth interview by Paris.
In 2019, Paris' music has been featured in USA network's The Purge, HBO's The Deuce, CBS' The Unicorn, multiple episodes of CBS Sports Network's The Jim Rome Show and Between Two Ferns: The Movie on Netflix, starring Zach Galifianakis, Matthew McConaughey, Keanu Reeves and Will Ferrell.

2020s

Netflix's All Day and a Night started off 2020 with featured music by Paris, starring Ashton Sanders, Jeffrey Wright, Isaiah John and Regina Taylor, among others.
In August of that year, "Baby Man Hands" was released - a scathing indictment of Donald Trump's presidency and the first single and video from Paris' album, Safe Space Invader×Safe Space Invader25 September 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Bang Bang3:162Why Reconcile?5:203Press On4:504Nobody Move4:215Chain Reaction4:226Return of the Vanguard3:057Turned the Key3:178Baby Man Hands3:009Walk Like a Panther2:5410Somethin’ ’Bout the West Coast3:39.
On September 11, Safe Space Invader's second single and video, "Nobody Move" was released, a stylistic homage to Black Panther Party artist Emory Douglas that calls out police brutality, gentrification and more. Safe Space Invader was released on September 25, 2020. On October 23, 2020, Safe Space Invader's third single and video, "Turned the Key," was released, addressing the hard topics of gentrification, income inequality & housing affordability. Its fourth single and video, "Walk Like a Panther," was released on December 2 of that same year.
In 2021, Paris' music was featured in FX network's Hip Hop Uncovered, Netflix's Notorious B.I.G. biopic, Biggie: I've Got a Story to Tell, NBC's Young Rock, and in Blindspotting on the STARZ network.
In July 2022, Lionsgate's film American Carnage was released, featuring music and production by Paris. In August of that same year, Netflix's Day Shift was also released, starring Jaime Foxx and Snoop Dogg and featuring Paris' original works.
Peacock's Poker Face started off 2023 with featured music by Paris, starring Natasha Lyonne, Benjamin Bratt, Adrien Brody and Lil Rel Howery, among others.
In April of 2024, Paris' music production was featured in Apple TV+'s Loot, starring Maya Rudolph, and in Hulu's Under the Bridge, starring Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone.