Iamsu!

Sudan Ameer Williams was born on November 16, 1989,{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/iamsu-honors-his-faith-in-father-god-premiere-20130702 |title=Watch Iamsu's 'Father God' Video - Video |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2013-07-02 |access-date=2013-09-12}} in Richmond, California. He listened to Kanye West, Aaliyah, Marching Band, The Grammar Band, and reggae music in his youth. Sudan began making music at age 14, and was "always playing with instruments and messing around with music." He started making beats while attending high school at the local Bay Area Youth Program "Youth Radio".

In 2009, Iamsu! started rapping under his stage name "Su", but then he decided to change it to Iamsu! due to search engine optimization.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/iamsu-is-playing-noiseys-may-rap-party-so-we-interviewed-him/ |title=IamSu! Is Playing Noisey's May Rap Party, So We Interviewed Him |date=April 24, 2013 |publisher=Noisey.vice.com |access-date=2013-09-12}} On July 4, 2010, he released his first mixtape, titled Su! The Right Thing. In 2011, Iamsu! produced, co-wrote and featured on LoveRance's hit single "Up!", which also included fellow rapper 50 Cent on a remix. The song peaked at number 46 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached at number 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailycal.org/2013/05/09/iamsu-revitalizes-bay-area-rap/ |title=IAmSu! revitalizes Bay Area rap - The Daily Californian |publisher=Dailycal.org |date=2013-05-09 |access-date=2013-09-12}} He followed with his appearance on E-40's hit song "Function", along with rappers Problem and YG. The song peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=e-40|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}} In 2012, he also featured on Jonn Hart's track "Who Booty" and Wiz Khalifa's track "Bout Me".

On October 2, 2012, Iamsu! released his previous mixtapes: Kilt, Young California, and Su! The Right Thing, on iTunes for sale. On November 12, 2012, Iamsu! released another mixtape, titled Suzy 6 Speed. This mixtape features guest appearances from Juvenile, Problem, and Wiz Khalifa. It contained the single "Mobbin'" and received critical acclaim upon the release.{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/iamsu-talks-being-college-avoiding-groupies-and-tour-life|title=IAmSu! Talks Being in College, Avoiding Groupies, and Tour Life|date=2013-05-23|publisher=Vibe|access-date=2013-09-12}}{{cite web|author=Gotty |url=http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2012/11/download-iamsu-suzy-6-speed-mixtape |title=Download: IamSu! - $uzy 6 Speed Mixtape |publisher=Smokingsection.uproxx.com |date=2012-11-12 |access-date=2013-09-12}}{{cite web|last=Soderberg |first=Brandon |url=http://www.spin.com/blogs/first-spin-iamsus-mobbin/ |title=First Spin: Iamsu's 'Mobbin | SPIN | No Trivia |publisher=SPIN |date=2012-10-25 |access-date=2013-09-12}} On February 13, 2013, both Iamsu! and Problem, released a collaboration mixtape, titled Million Dollar Afro.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/05/iamsu-and-problem-teach-you-double-date-etiquette/ |title=IamSu! And Problem Teach You Double Date Etiquette - XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=2013-05-15 |access-date=2013-09-12}} The mixtape would be praised by Tom Breihan of Stereogum and Spin, and was named mixtape one of the best rap releases of 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1317132/mixtape-of-the-week-problem-iamsu-million-dollar-afro/franchises/mixtape-of-the-week/ |title=Mixtape Of The Week: Problem & Iamsu! Million Dollar Afro |publisher=Stereogum |date=2013-04-10 |access-date=2013-09-12}}{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/03/mtv-10-hottest-mcs-rappers-in-the-game-list/130306-iamsu/ |title=Iamsu! - MTV T.R.U. Life: The REAL 10 Hottest MCs in the Game | SPIN | Discover | SPIN Lists |publisher=SPIN |date=2013-03-05 |access-date=2013-09-01}} This mixtape features guest appearances from Juvenile, King L, Bad Lucc, Too Short, Omarion, Short Dawg, and Wiz Khalifa, among others.{{cite web|url=http://www.missinfo.tv/index.php/problem-iamsu-million-dollar-afro/ |title=New Mixtape: Problem x Iamsu! 'Million Dollar Afro' |publisher=MissInfo.tv |date=2013-02-16 |access-date=2013-09-12}} To promote the mixtape, he been touring with Problem on the 10-stop "Million Dollar Afro Tour". On March 5, 2013, Spin'' named Iamsu! as the tenth "Hottest MC in the Game".{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/03/mtv-10-hottest-mcs-rappers-in-the-game-list/130306-iamsu/ |title=Iamsu! - MTV T.R.U. Life: The REAL 10 Hottest MCs in the Game | SPIN | Discover | SPIN Lists |publisher=SPIN |date=2013-03-05 |access-date=2013-09-12}}

In May 2013, Iamsu! began his first headlining tour, in promotion of his then upcoming mixtape, titled Kilt II. On June 6, 2013, Iamsu! released Kilt II as a retail mixtape, for free and to iTunes on July 9, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kilt-ii-deluxe-edition/id667633453 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012054038/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kilt-ii-deluxe-edition/id667633453 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |title=iTunes - Music - Kilt II (Deluxe Edition) by IamSu |publisher=iTunes |date=2013-07-09 |access-date=2013-09-12}} The production was primarily handled by Iamsu!, along with other members of The Invasion.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/06/06/download-iamsus-kilt-2-mixtape/ |title=Download Iamsu!'s Kilt 2 Mixtape « The FADER |publisher=Thefader.com |date=2013-06-06 |access-date=2013-09-12}} Pitchfork Media gave the mixtape a 7.5 out of 10 rating saying, the mixtape "doubles down on all of his strongest and most likeable qualities: Largely self-produced, high-energy, and creative, it shows Iamsu! continuing to transform from a promising, agreeable Bay Area rap figure into a burgeoning star."{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18236-iamsu-kilt-ii/ |title=Iamsu!: Kilt II | Album Reviews |publisher=Pitchfork |date=2013-06-28 |access-date=2013-09-12}} Spin would also praise the mixtape saying, "As much a showcase of Iamsu!'s production prowess as it is evidence of his unique lyrical skills, the new tape is an enjoyably bumpy ride through treble-y bleeps, bassy bloops, tinny drums, and hard-hustling vocals."{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/06/iamsu-kilt-ii-mixtape-stream-download/ |title=Hear Iamsu!'s 'Kilt 2' Mixtape, a Hi-Fi Ratchet Revelation | SPIN | SPIN Mix | Songs |publisher=SPIN |date=2013-06-07 |access-date=2013-09-12}} Following its release, he told HipHopDX that he was working with Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz. He would eventually appear on "Living" from 2 Chainz's album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time (2013).{{cite web|last=Kim |first=Emmeline |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24452/title.iamsu-working-with-2-chainz-wiz-khalifa |title=IamSu! Working With 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=2013-06-25 |access-date=2013-09-12}}

File:Iamsu!.jpg

Iamsu! was also featured on Sage the Gemini's 2013's hit single "Gas Pedal", which peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it both artist's first top 40 entries and their most successful single to date. On August 12, 2013, Iamsu! and his group the HBK Gang, released a compilation mixtape, titled Gang Forever.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/08/iamsu-hbk-gang-releases-new-mixtape-gang-forever/ |title=Iamsu! & HBK Gang Releases New Mixtape, 'Gang Forever' - XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=2013-08-12 |access-date=2013-09-01}} On December 3, 2013, Iamsu! released "Hipster Girls" as the second single from Kilt II.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hipster-girls-single/id746934133|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228233810/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hipster-girls-single/id746934133|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 28, 2014|title=Hipster Girls - Single|work=iTunes|access-date=March 3, 2016}} On January 3, 2014, Iamsu! released a remix to YG's "Who Do You Love?", where he was hinted at being signed and planning to release his debut album. On January 7, 2014, he announced that his debut album would be titled Sincerely Yours and be released in April 2014. He also confirmed that the first single would feature Sage the Gemini.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/01/iamsu-reveals-title-debut-album/|title=Iamsu! Reveals Title Of Debut Album Due Out In April|author=ericdiep|date=January 7, 2014|work=XXL Mag|access-date=March 3, 2016}} On January 28, 2014, he released the album's first single, titled "Only That Real" (featuring 2 Chainz and Sage the Gemini).{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1646911/iamsu-only-that-real-feat-2-chainz-sage-the-gemini/mp3s/|title=Iamsu! – "Only That Real" (Feat. 2 Chainz & Sage The Gemini)|work=Stereogum|date=January 28, 2014 |access-date=March 3, 2016}} The album was then set for a release date of May 13, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/04/heres-tracklist-cover-art-iamsus-album/|title=Here's The Tracklist and Cover Art For Iamsu!'s Album|author=emmanuel|date=April 8, 2014|work=XXL Mag|access-date=March 3, 2016}}

In 2015, he began touring worldwide to promote his second studio album, Kilt 3. The first single "Up All Night" followed on February 14, 2016. The album was released on March 24, 2016.

{{Main|Iamsu! discography}}

• Sincerely Yours (2014)
• Kilt III (2016)
• 06 Solara (2018)
• Blessed (2018)
• Boss Up V (2019)
• California (Deluxe) (2021)
• Sudi (Deluxe) (2022)
• 1-833-HBK-GANG (2023)

{{reflist}}

{{Portal bar|United States|Biography}}

• {{Official website|http://hbkgang.com/}}

{{Iamsu!}}

{{The HBK Gang}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:African-American record producers

Category:People from Richmond, California

Category:Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area

Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists

Category:West Coast hip-hop musicians

Category:The HBK Gang members

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:Record producers from California