I Self Devine

Chaka Mkali (born 1972), better known by his stage name I Self Devine, is an American hip hop musician based in Minneapolis. He has been a member of groups such as The Dynospectrum,[4] Micranots,[5] and Semi.Official.[6] In 2012, City Pages described him as "one of the most influential voices in Minnesota hip hop."[7]

I Self Devine
I Self Devine performing live in 2014
Background information
Birth nameChaka Mkali[1]
Also known asSelf One
Born1972 (age 50–51)[2]
Los Angeles, California[2]
OriginMinneapolis, Minnesota[3]
GenresHip hop, alternative hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, producer, activist
Years active1995–present
LabelsRhymesayers Entertainment

Early life

I Self Devine was born in Los Angeles, California and moved to Minnesota with his mother when she was accepted to the University of Minnesota's social work master's program.[8] He says, "The first time that I became aware of hip-hop was in 1979, when my mom gave me [The Sugarhill Gang's] 'Rapper's Delight,' the 12-inch."[8] He experimented with graffiti writing, freestyling, DJing, and breakdancing before starting to invest lots of time into rapping and graffiti.

Career

I Self Devine released the solo debut album, Self Destruction, on Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2005.[9] He released the second solo album, The Sound of Low Class Amerika, on the label in 2012.[10] It was produced by Medium Zach of Big Quarters, DJ Todda, Benzilla, King Karnov, Vitamin D, Jake One, Proh Mic, and I Self Devine himself.[11] The album was preceded by four mixtapes, which were all released in early 2012.[12] In 2015, he released a collaborative album with Muja Messiah, titled 9th House.[13] In an interview with The Current radio station, he stated that he was expecting to release two albums in 2021: Rituals of Resilience and That Which Is Hidden.[8]

I Self Devine is celebrated for his live shows. Spectrum Culture wrote that he "is synonymous with a dynamic live show."[14]

Personal life

I Self Devine has five children and has made efforts to prioritize his family over his career. He told The Current, "To think about emceeing or even being a community organizer – those are great things and have big impacts. But to me, when all of my kids are together, I feel rich beyond belief. I feel crazy wealthy, like I got gold as far as you can see."[8]

Discography
See also: The Dynospectrum, Micranots § Discography, and Semi.Official § Discography

Studio albums
  • Self Destruction (2005)
  • The Sound of Low Class Amerika (2012)
  • Rituals of Resilience (2021)
  • That Which Is Hidden (2022)

Collaborative albums

Mixtapes
  • LA State of Mind (2012)
  • The Upliftment Struggle (2012)
  • Reports from the Field: In the Trenches (2012)
  • The Shining Path (2012)

Singles
  • "Ice Cold" b/w "All I Know" (2005)
  • "The Origin of Urban Crisis" (2012)
  • "IOFWUCUC" (2015) (with Muja Messiah)
  • "The Disruptor Suite" (2021)

Guest appearances
  • Atmosphere – "Flesh" from God Loves Ugly (2002)
  • The Opus – "First Contact" from First Contact 001 (2002)
  • P.O.S – "I Play the Matador (Redo)" from Ipecac Neat (2004)
  • Oddjobs – "Stone Cold" from Expose Negative (2005)
  • Omega One – "I Want It All" from The Lo-Fi Chronicles (2005)
  • Cleveland Steamers – "Day by Day" from Treasure Chest (2006)
  • Leroy Smokes – "John Henry" from Love Hustle Theater (2006)
  • Big Quarters – "How to Kill Your Rap Career" from Cost of Living (2007)
  • Heiruspecs – "Broken Record" from Heiruspecs (2008)
  • Muja Messiah – "Patriot Act" from Thee Adventures of a B-Boy D-Boy (2008)
  • Doomtree – "Twentyfourseven" from Doomtree (2008)
  • Crushcon7 – "Fieldwerk" (2009)
  • Toki Wright – "The Law" from A Different Mirror (2009)
  • St. Paul Slim – "McArthur Park" from Bald Headed Samsun (2010)
  • Villa Rosa – "Chico" from Blue Diamond Island (2011)
  • IBE & Benzilla – "Casual Convo" from This, That and the Third (2013)

References
  1. McCormick, Zach (April 17, 2012). "Q&A: I Self Devine". The Wake. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  2. Brown, Marisa. "I Self Devine – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  3. Riemenschneider, Chris (May 6, 2012). "Friday night wrap: I Self Devine release party, impromptu Beasties tribute". Star Tribune. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  4. Gillespie, Blake (April 18, 2008). "Minneapolis is Rhymesayers". Impose Magazine. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  5. Miyakawa, Felicia M. (2005). Five Percenter Rap: God Hop's Music, Message, and Black Muslim Mission. Indiana University Press. p. 98.
  6. Beacham, Kevin (April 30, 2013). "H2 Local highlights – I Self Devine and DJ Abilities' collaboration Semi Official". The Current. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  7. Gage, Jeff (May 2, 2012). "I Self Devine: Rhymesayers legend returns – The Sound of Low Class Amerika gets personal". City Pages. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  8. Johnson, Cecilia. "I Self Devine is playing the long game". www.thecurrent.org. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  9. Mason, Stewart. "Self Destruction – I Self Devine". AllMusic. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  10. Ortiz, Edwin (May 17, 2012). "I Self Devine – The Sound Of Low Class Amerika". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  11. Elabbady, Ali (May 1, 2012). "I Self Devine: The Sounds of Low Class Amerika". Reviler. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  12. Drake, David (May 7, 2012). "Stream I Self Devine's The Shining Path Mixtape". The Fader. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  13. Thompson, Paul A. (November 30, 2015). "Muja Messiah / I Self Devine: 9th House". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  14. "Interview: I Self Devine". Spectrum Culture. 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
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