Jimmy Black Biography
Kendric Bedell aka Jimmy Black aka The Journeyman was born
in Toledo Ohio, December 11, 1976. At the age of two, he was
sent to Monrovia Liberia. He returned to the United States at the
age of seven. He started Rhyming in the 5th grade. Born with a
divine given talent to swiftly arrange vivacious and witty
rhythmical word combinations; young Jimmy Black had not still
reached his full potential. In 1993,he began writing rhymes and
capturing most of his lyrical Compositions in notebooks and on
audiocassettes. Heavily influence by his cousins, He began taking
his art form, rap, seriously. In 1995, he and his cousin began
promoting shows. That following year, early 1996, Jimmy Black had
been given the opportunity to perform at The McDonald Enterprise
Winter City-Wide Fashion & Talent Showcase. Between late 1996 and
1997 Jimmy Black had been forced to take a short break from the
music scene as a result of his traveling back and forth from Toledo
Ohio to Silver Spring Maryland. In 1998 it was time to get the
ball rolling again, and he was even more determined as ever to make
it all happen. He recorded his first solo debut, �The JOURNEYMAN�,
which gave him much exposure and a shocking amount of street
creditability. In 1999, Jimmy Black felt like it was time to
spread his wings a little bit, he then moved out to Richmond
California. Fulfilling the exact goals he set out to accomplish in
California. With even more songs under his belt. He headed Back
East, this time, he was going back to Africa, to test out his yet
unperfected skill. In the summer of 99' he performed at the Miss
Liberia Pageant in Monrovia, Liberia. In 2000, he's back on
the east coast of the United States doing the Club scenes and
different showcases, like The First ever Super Hip Hop talent
showcase. In 2001, Jimmy Black, again had the chance to show his
stuff at a Kemet Production talent showcase at Howard University
Blackburn Center Ballroom. Also, he collaborated with another up and
coming Liberian Artist name C-Alake, in the year of 2001.
Together they composed a conscience raising classic called �New
Africa,� which was featured on C-Alake�s 2001 debut. Jimmy Black
also had a great turnout at a Liberian club called Kendejah. He was
given outstanding reviews by Caita with Liberian connection. During
the summer of 2002, he performed at Fresh Flava Entertainment and
Bliss Artist 4th Annual Music Festival at Ashanti land in Clinton,
MD. In August of 2002, he performed at Brother Maniac CD release
Party at Gee's nightclub in Cheverly, MD. Later that week, he knocks
them out with his energetic performance at the B and K Talent and
Comedy Showcase at the Public Playhouse in Cheverly, MD. Just days
later, he amazed the crowd with his astounding stage performance at
the CD baby Tour in Washington DC. He also graced the presence of
The audience of the Cada-vez club in Washington DC. He has been on
92.3 rap attack in Baltimore, MD, Promoting his next hit Imagine
featuring Brother Maniac. In 2003, JIMMY BLACK was on the
Doing Thangs Tour. JIMMY BLACK has been featured and bless
many albums, including a up and coming west coast hip hop sensation
named Rinnessy. Rinnessy�s album ��All Iz Never Said,� was released
in 04. And it features all three of the collaborations the duo
completed. In 2005 Jimmy Black (The JOURNEYMAN�S) album �THE WOARTH�
hit stores nationwide. His album features a heartfelt masterpiece he
dedicates to his cousin, the Late Robert Neely A.K.A. Big Swol who
past in April, 2000, and gave Jimmy Black the motivation to make
their dream a reality. JIMMY BLACK is a star on the rise and is one
of Mactivity Productions�s best kept secrets to be unleashed.
REVIEWS -
'Rap-Hip-Hop' Don't Stop
04-16-2006
by Mark Bialczak, Music Critic, Syracuse Post Standard
When Kendric T. Bedell moved to Syracuse with his wife in November,
the Central New York hip-
hop community grew stronger.
Under his performing name Jimmy Black - he took it from a
smooth-as-silk point guard for the
University of North Carolina basketball team in the 1980s - Bedell's
got a hot album and an
impressive live performance slot to his recent credit.
In May, Jimmy Black will be part of the Hip-Hop Palooza Tour,
joining The Indikator,
Tah Phrum/Duh Bush and Brother Maniac in New York City,
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington,
D.C. for four straight days.
The 14-song "The Woarth" shows that Jimmy Black raps with plenty of
heart. The 29-year-old
built a style that encompasses his roots in Toledo, Ohio; Monrovia,
Liberia; and Washington,
D.C.
"I'm a positive artist. We push righteousness and positivity,"
Bedell says. "We try to
encourage each other to build, not break down."
The message starts strong with his spoken word poetry in "Thanks for
This Day." Black says, "Is
a lot of people who didn't make it to see their birthday, the next
day, their kids play."
His raps carry an edge. "You Can See the Hunger in My Eyes" couples
rhymes with a thick beat
churlish enough to satisfy the roughest hip-hopper.
And he has fun, too. In "I'm Addicted to Rap-Hip-Hop," Black
declares, "I don't know how to
stop."
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