Clyde McKnight
Clyde McKnight | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Clyde Prince'Lee McKnight |
Born |
Seattle, Washington | April 29, 1992
Origin | Seattle |
Genres | Hip hop, R&B |
Years active | 2008 –present |
Associated acts | Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Lil' Kim, Lil Mama, Wiz Khalifa, YG, Macklemore, Kreayshawn |
Website |
clydemcknight |
Clyde Prince'Lee McKnight (born April 29, 1992) is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, dancer, and actor. He is of African-American, Afro-Trinidadian & Domincan descent. He was formally signed to Queen Bee Entertainment and is now independent.
Early life
Clyde was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. At age 4, he picked up an Aaliyah album and realized he wanted to become a singer/entertainer. Clyde was enrolled in many different talent competitions, including the Apollo Theater National All-Stars talent search. McKnight had strong influences from Ginuwine, Janet Jackson and Jodeci.[1][2]
Career
2009–2011: Interscope Records, Eye Legacy and Animated
McKnight appeared on Left Eye's Eye Legacy album in 2009. Along with Lil Mama, he was featured on the album's only single: a 2009 version of the song "Block Party". Before the release, he signed to Queen Bee Entertainment/Interscope Records.[3] "Simon Sez" was the first single from his debut album, Animated. He modeled for Pharrell's Billionaire Boys Club clothing line. The album Animated was shelved for unknown reasons.
2012–present: Release from label and Clyde McKnight... The Bachelor
In early 2012, McKnight was released from his contract with Interscope. McKnight says that he and IRS/Queen Bee Entertainment referee Lil Kim have remained amiable since the formal end of their business relationship. Although, McKnight has stated on many occasions just how necessary his release from the label was, as well as how necessary it was for him to have a level of independence in the music industry for some time. In an interview with DJ Skee, Clyde mentioned that "when [he] was signed for those years, [he] felt like he couldn't do [anything]," and that he "couldn't prove to [his] fans that [he] had the talent" and "couldn't sing the music [he] wanted to sing."
In March 2013, McKnight announced on Twitter to his fans that he has been working simultaneously on his album and his first mixtape Clyde McKnight... The Bachelor to be released to his fans for free, He also announced he has a small cameo in the upcoming film The Green Inferno. The tape draws notable influences from 90s R&B/Soul legends like Ginuwine and Jodeci. McKnight has been working with producers Hit Boy, DJ Mustard, and Dallas Austin, and is hoping to release the album by the end of the year. McKnight revealed that Hit Boy had produced two songs for the album that are ready; he continued to say the mixtape would set the "tone" for the album's sound. Clyde McKnight... The Bachelor was released on May 12, 2013. The mixtape featured production from Mike Lightner, Soundz, Hit Boy, Darkchild, DJ Mustard, and B Fresh, as well as guest features from YG, Juelz Santana, Freddy E, and Missy Elliot.
Discography
Albums
- Animated (2009)
- Clyde McKnight... The Bachelor (2013)
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B | |||||
"Simon Sez" | 2009 | — | — | — | Animated | |
"Drop It Down" (featuring YG and DJ Mustard) |
2013 | — | — | — | Clyde McKnight... The Bachelor | |
"Rockstar" | — | — | — | |||
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
As featured artist
- "Block Party" by Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes (feat. Lil Mama & Clyde McKnight)
- "Put Them Bottles Up" by Trina
Writing credits
- "Last Night" by Paris Hilton (feat. Lil Wayne)
- "Last Night" by Pitbull (feat. Havana Brown)
- "21st Century Girl" by Willow Smith
- "Somebody Else" by Mario (feat. Nicki Minaj)
References
- ↑ "Clyde McKnight biography". Artistwiki.com. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
- ↑ http://www.mtv.com/artists/clyde-mcknight
- ↑ "clyde mcknight Biography - AOL Music". Music.aol.com. 1969-12-31. Retrieved 2012-02-29.