Memphis Bleek, born Malik Cox on June 23, 1978, in Brooklyn, New York, is an American rapper who was one of the first artists signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, co-founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. Bleek's association with Jay-Z began early in his career, contributing to Jay-Z's 1996 debut album, "Reasonable Doubt," on the track "Coming of Age." This collaboration set the stage for Bleek's own debut, "Coming of Age," released in 1999. His career was marked by its close association with Jay-Z and the Roc-A-Fella label, through which he released his most successful albums, including "The Understanding" in 2000 and "M.A.D.E." in 2003, each of which has been certified gold by the RIAA.

Memphis Bleek's musical output is characterized by his gritty tales of street life and loyalty, elements that solidified his authenticity in the hip-hop genre. Despite never achieving the same level of commercial success as some of his Roc-A-Fella counterparts, Bleek maintained a consistent presence in the hip-hop scene through the 2000s. His fourth album, "534," released in 2005, was named after the building number where he grew up in the Marcy Projects and featured the hit single "Like That." Although his output has slowed in recent years, Memphis Bleek continues to make music and now also focuses on developing other artists through his label, Warehouse Music Group, affiliated with Roc Nation. His story is one of resilience and loyalty, underscoring a career that, while often under the radar, has made a lasting impact on the hip-hop genre.

Genres

East Coast Hip Hop

Related Artists

JAY-Z

Cam'Ron

Beanie Sigel

Freeway

T.I.

Nas

DMX

Jadakiss

Fabolous

Ne-Yo

The Notorious B.I.G.

Ja Rule

Latest Release

Bands Up

Memphis Bleek

Single - Released July 12, 2024