Karl Amani Wailoo (born December 20, 1977), better known by his stage name Saukrates. A Toronto-based rapper with an ear for music (classically trained in the violin and cello) and a head for business, Saukrates was fed on the mid-'80s rap styles of De La Soul, Special Ed, and the Native Tongue rap movement. He freestyled rhymes on the fly, basing his lyrics on personal experiences and dreams, just as other rappers before him. Once he started putting his rhymes to paper in 1989, the young MC began to seriously fine tune his skills. Saukrates hit pay dirt with his first single, "Hate Runs Deep," released in late 1994. It won top prize at an MC contest and, at 18, he followed with "Brick House" on Slammin' Records. In 1997, a mix-tape release hit the streets and Saukrates became well-known in college radio circles for the rap jams "Father Time" and "Play Dis." Just when success was all but guaranteed, Warner Bros., his then-label, essentially shut down its rap music division, leaving Saukrates with recorded material but no mode of distribution. Joining creative and financial forces with his manager, Chase Parsons, he created Capitol Hill Music and in early summer 1999 they released Saukrates: The Underground Tapes in the United States under the Serious Entertainment label. Later that same summer, The Underground Tapes was re-released in Canada on Capitol Hill Music/ILL Vibe with six additional tracks.
In the 11 years since Saukrates released a solo album, he’s collaborated with Nelly Furtado and given Drake a crucial boost. He’s back, and with Season One, he’s out to prove that he’s in it for the long haul.
With more than 15 years in the industry, Saukrates is legitimately one of Toronto’s most consistent hip-hop artists. Toss in his work as a producer and collaborator with singers such as Jully Black and Nelly Furtado, among others, and it’s virtually impossible to pigeonhole him as just a rapper or to deny his talent.His hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed, as young fans and their parents recognize and approach the affable musician.
Among the artists with whom the 32-year-old has worked closely is Drake, as attested by the track Fades Away, on which the former Degrassi star appears. In 2006, when Saukrates toured with Nelly Furtado he brought Drake. “That, I think, gave him the opportunity to feel like everything he was doing was worthy on a scale where we could take it to grand stages,” says Saukrates (a.k.a. Bigg Soxx on Facebook). The two also did some shows together on Drake’s recent U.S. tour and remain friends.
Saukrates has even spent time in the studio with people who are now integral members of Drake’s team. Engineer 
and producer Noah ‘40’ Shebib, who interned with Saukrates, met Drake through the connection. And, producers D10 and Boi-1da also worked with Saukrates.
and producer Noah ‘40’ Shebib, who interned with Saukrates, met Drake through the connection. And, producers D10 and Boi-1da also worked with Saukrates.
IS GOOD BIG HISTORY...VERY NICE !
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