R. Prophet

1997–99: Career beginnings

In 1997, while attending Western Kentucky University, R. Prophet joined Skinny DeVille, B. Stille, Ron Clutch, Big V and Fish Scales to complete Nappy Roots, an American alternative Southern rap group. Nappy Roots began recording at ET's Music, a record store/studio. They released a full-length debut titled "Country Fried Cess" in 1998. This independent effort caught the attention of several major labels, and the group later signed to Atlantic Records in 1999.

2000–02: Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz

The group's first album released on Atlantic was 2002's best selling hip-hop album, "Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz". The multi-platinum album included the platinum hits "Headz Up", "Awnaw" and two time Grammy nominated "Po' Folks" featuring Anthony Hamilton. The song's signature concept, verse, and chorus was written by R. Prophet a prolific member of Nappy Roots. Discussing the meaning of "Po' Folks," R. Prophet told MTV.com that the lyrics did not only speak of being poor as an economic issue. "It's a state of mind. It's not so bad being poor when you've got your family and God in your life and you have different values that, when it comes down to it, matter. A lot of other things really don't matter when God is knocking at your door." Po' Folks later went on to be awarded a BMI publishing award in 2002.

2003–04

In 2003, R. Prophet and the group garnered several award nominations, including American Music Award nominations for Favorite New Artist and Favorite Band, Duo or Group in the Hip-Hop/R&B category. Nappy Roots was also nominated for Grammy awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Po' Folks" and Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video for their DVD "The World According to Nappy."

Also in 2003, R. Prophet was among a group of celebrities and professional athletes who participated in USO Project Salute 2003, a tour that made stops throughout the Persian Gulf including Iraq. "This was an experience of a lifetime, being in an actual war zone, it's something I will never forget", remembers R. Prophet, of the USO tour. Nappy Roots was among the top groups requested to be a part of USO tour. Soon after, their third album Wooden Leather followed in the latter part of 2003, which featured the hit song "Round the Globe" and featured production from Kanye West, David Banner, and Lil Jon. In 2004, R. Prophet worked with his group on the three songs for the soundtrack of the film The Ladykillers by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen.^[1]

2005–06

In 2005–06, he started and was involved in numerous community events and programs including; Nappy Roots Failure Free Reading Program; Prophet's Society, a non-profit organization which helps disadvantaged children; and the development of R. Prophet's Hip-Hop Multiplication CD, an educational tool used to teach children multiplication. R. Prophet also served as a motivational speaker and mentor for Kentucky, Indiana, and Texas school systems.

2007–09

In 2007, R. Prophet went on to pursue his solo career, traveling to Houston, Texas to record his first hit single, "Run Tell The DJ To Crank it" with former Cash Money producer Mannie Fresh. The single was an instant hit generating over 2500 spins (radio) after its independent release. Following the success of his hit single, R. Prophet performed on-stage with the likes of Nelly, Ludacris, T.I., Young Buck, and Yung Joc.

In 2008, R. Prophet was also featured in Hilary Duff's single "Reach Out" from her album, "Best of Hilary Duff". However, he was not officially credited for this.

2010

In 2010, R. Prophet relocated to Los Angeles, California to further pursue his solo career; producing, writing, and recording for several artists, as well as himself. In 2011, R. Prophet teamed with Hugo Ferreira of Tantric to record tracks joining rock and hip-hop.

2012–present

On April 20, 2013, Prophet was arrested by Kentucky State Police for disorderly conduct among other things. TMZ released photos of a badly beaten man with bruises on his arms, wrists, and legs. Police claimed that he was highly intoxicated and resisted arrest. It is said that in the middle of the bust he screamed, "I'm R. Prophet!!!" But cops thought he was proclaiming, "I'm a prophet" which made him look like a nutcase, and things went downhill quickly.

Kentucky State Police say they had to tase the ex-Nappy Roots rapper multiple times for resisting arrest. They then claimed they did it again because he supposedly kicked out the back window of the police cruiser.

But Prophet tells a different story: that he was fully cooperative and cops repeatedly tased him for no reason as he laid helpless on the ground and handcuffed, adding, "I felt they were doing me like a slave. I thought I was dead." He also says when he was thrown in the back of the cruiser he was pepper sprayed and tased again.

Prophet says it got so bad in the car he thought they were going to drive him somewhere and kill him. In a panic, he says he gashed his head on the window.

The trooper who arrested Prophet told TMZ that the rapper was highly intoxicated, walked directly into traffic and was a danger to himself and others.

On an Episode of MTV's Catfish: The TV Show, R.Prophet was featured after making a connection with a woman named Trinity. After it was revealed to instead be a woman named Crystal, the pair planned to meet in a nearby park along with Max and Nev. After telling Prophet that "Trinity doesn't exist anymore", we learned that Crystal initially created the Facebook page to see things that the person she was dating was posting. Prophet tells her that she violated his trust and that she seems like a person who has a lot to offer, but it isn't him. He said "it was nice to meet you" and left the area and returned to the car crying. After meeting again later on, he revealed that he felt that Crystal had been filling a void. The two share an embrace and Prophet tells her that may be able to communicate on "some type of level". After the show, he decided to get a Skype account and spent time focusing on his career, while still maintaining some communication with Crystal.

R.Prophet is developing hip hop educational tools for children. He has also been acting and recording his solo album tentatively called "Genesis" as well as writing and producing for other mainstream artists.

Major albums (with Nappy Roots)

Mixtapes (With Nappy Roots)