Emcee N.I.C.E.

Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton, better known by his stage name Emcee N.I.C.E., is an American Christian hip hop artist. He was born in Los Angeles, California and is of Puerto Rican descent, but was raised in El Paso, Texas and Topeka, Kansas.

Emcee N.I.C.E.
Birth nameAulsondro Hamilton
Also known asNovelist
BornLos Angeles, California, U.S.
OriginEl Paso, Texas
GenresChristian hip hop
InstrumentsVocals, drum, drum machine, turntables
Years active2000-present
LabelsGypsy City Music
Associated actsDarius McCrary, Stacey Dash, Aaron Hall, K-Ci Hailey, Dennis Bettis, D.B.I., KansasCali, The Rocturnals, A Lighter Shade of Brown, Doctor Fink
Websiteemceenice.com

He has served as a producer, writer and recording artist, working with artists such as 2 Pac, Nas, A Lighter Shade of Brown, Aaron Hall, K-Ci Hailey, Doctor Fink, Al B. Sure, Melissa Molinaro,MC Lyte & Fred Hammond. He is currently starring in Da Jammies as "Novelist" that started on Netflix[1] now on amazon prime,[2] roku, xfinity, apple tv, cox[3]

Since 2002, he has been credited on over 35 different records. This includes an association with the Academy Award-winning film Crash, appearing on its soundtrack as a lead vocalist/rapper of KansasCali. Their music video was included on the DVD's special features section, narrated by Paul Haggis.

Emcee N.I.C.E. would also go on to appear on four more soundtracks, along with multiple guest features and theme songs for television shows. He is also a member of one of Los Angeles's elite rap coalitions, The Massmen, put together by industry veterans Dejon Jack H. Clark, producer DJ Fat Jack and founders Patrick "Minister 2 Bad" Parker & David "Twice D" Tarver. The group is currently led by LA hip-hop legend Abstract Rude, and its members also include Awol One, Mista Grimm, LSD, and Bobby Chevis.

History

Discovered by De’Jon J.H. Clark and DJ Fat Jack, Novelist, aka Emcee N.I.C.E., had early success in 2002 with a co-production of Thugz Mansion that landed him on both the triple platinum album Better Dayz of iconic rapper 2 Pac, and platinum album God's Son of hip hop legend Nas.

N.I.C.E. then co-founded a Las Vegas-based duo called KansasCali, an R&B hip-hop group that would later evolve into an urban pop rock band called The Rocturnals. In 2002 the duo released an independent record called Vegas One (The Beginning) and in 2003 landed the theme song for the NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith’s TV show The Emmitt Zone.

It wasn’t until 2004 when the duo converted into an urban pop rock group that they achieved real success, landing on the Oscar-winning film Crash soundtrack and music video for song "If I…" prominently featured in the "Special Features" of the DVD that went on to sell well over 10 million units. The duo's success didn't stop there; that same year, they also landed on the international soundtrack of the blockbuster film Mr. & Mrs. Smith, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The duo was also chosen by Billboard Magazine Executive Tamara Coniff to open and perform at the First Annual Billboard Digital Entertainment Awards.[4]

The success kept rolling, as the duo teamed up with Shay Todd and co-founder Shiro Gutzie of the Superb Group, to release the duo's EP Hello World in 2005. That same year the duo also made guest appearances on R&B Legend Aaron Hall’s final album Adults Only, featured on the song "Serve That Body".

Also in 2005, Novelist co-founded urban animation company Toon Farm Animation with business partner William "Dolla" Chapman II. This led to the creation of the Urban Family animated music cartoon called Da Jammies, which starred Emcee N.I.C.E. and his business partner along with other notable actors such as Darius McCrary, Kyla Pratt, Kel Mitchell, Tiny Lister, Kim Whitley, James Avery, Alisa Reyes, Kurtis Blow, YoYo, and Lil' JJ.

In 2006 the demand continued to grow for Novelist's group, as KansasCali was featured on more soundtracks, and ESPN’s movie soundtrack Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (with their song "U Gotta Fight!" which prominently features Novelist), and Orlando Bloom’s Haven soundtrack (with the song "Uuuh").

That same year the duo made a guest appearance on an album by R&B legend K-Ci Hailey of K-Ci & JoJo, with both production and features on his album entitled My Book with songs "It’s All Love" feat. KansasCali, and production on the song "Soldier". Still having momentum, in 2007 KansasCali produced and featured on another TV special, George Wilborn's TVOne comedy special I Don’t Want to Be No Star in 2008, Jamie Kennedy’s Kicking It Old Skool with song "The Life" as the closing credits Lil JJ's Almost Grown, and finally in 2009 on Lav Luv's TVOne comedy special I’m Gonna Get In Trouble.

KansasCali then went independent and became an urban rock band, changing their names to The Rocturnals.

From 2008-2012 Emcee N.I.C.E. as Novelist with The Rocturnals would go on to make six more records. He also landed yet another song that debuted on TV, this time teaming up with Mark Cuban on an NBA theme song "This is Where Amazing Happens", debuting at the NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge in Dallas on TNT.

Then came the first responders documentary, Save The Brave, produced by the John Feal (first responder) of the Feal Good Foundation.

They put out an independent LP The Life, an earth song, "Celebrate the Earth", then were featured on Prince & The Revolution co-founder Doctor Fink’s compilation record Doctor Fink Presents a Tribute to Prince with their classic remake of "Pop Life".

In June 2012 Novelist returned to his roots of hip-hop R&B as Emcee N.I.C.E. and released a single entitled "Life of the Party" that featured newcomer Blake "Jus Blake" Smith. The single gained notoriety fast when the "Dance Version" produced by hit maker Ralph "Phantom" Stacy (who also produced Dru Hill, SWV, Johnny Gill, and Houston) was released featuring iconic and controversial actress Stacey Dash and "Jus Blake".

Russell Simmons' Global Grind jumped on it first, followed by Yahoo Music and TooFab. The music video was leaked by TMZ and its subsidiary TooFab, but suffered a blow when Stacey Dash announced her support for presidential candidate Mitt Romney, much to the chagrin of the African American community. Any momentum the record had and or was building came to a screeching halt. Emcee N.I.C.E. tried to pick the momentum back up in December with a Christmas release, "Christmas With U" feat. Who Am I?, donating a portion of the proceeds to anti-bullying and anti-hazing campaigns.

As an actor in 2015, Emcee N.I.C.E. under his real name Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton[5] made his debut. Starring as the character "Novelist" in the 3D animated music series entitled Da Jammies now on Netflix[6] Executive Produced by Ralph Farquhar (Real Husbands of Hollywood, Moesha, The Parkers, Wendy Wu, etc...) in which he also serves as Co-Executive Producer alongside recording artist and business partner William "Dolla" Chapman II aka D.B.I.. in the same year, Emcee N.I.C.E. made an appearance as Superman in the TV show 6 Degrees of Everything[7] by the Fine Brothers on TruTV

Productions, releases and guest appearances

As a member and lead vocalist/rapper of KansasCali

2002 to 2006

YearArtistAlbumLabelReleasedSinglesContributionProduction
2002KansasCali[8]Vegas One (The beginning)Familia Records10/15/02B4 U Say NoWriter & Performer
2002TupacBetter DayzInterscope Records11/26/02Thugz Mansion ft. NasProductionCo-Producer
2002NasGod's SonSony Records12/22/02Thugz Mansion ft. NasProductionCo-Producer
2005Christal RayN/APlatinum Plug Records04/05/05C'Mon ft. KansasCali[9]Writer & Performernone
2005Aaron HallAdults OnlyBungalo | Universal Music Group07/26/05Serve That Body ft. KansasCali[10]Writer & Performernone
2005KansasCaliHello World (EP)[11]Superb Records09/20/05Hello WorldWriter & Performernone
2006K-Ci HaileyMy BookBungalo | Universal Music Group10/03/06"It's All Love" ft. KansasCali (Track #3)Writer & PerformerCo-Producer Track #13

[12]

Music video

A music video for "Thugz Mansion" was shot. The video was nominated at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rap Video.

Charts

Peak positions

Charts (2002–03) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] #26
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[14] #7
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[15] #18
Germany (Official German Charts)[16] #74
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] #73
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] #10
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[19] #24
US Billboard Hot 100[20] #19
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] #10
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[22] #4

Motion Picture Soundtracks

YearMovie SoundtrackArtistLabelReleasedSinglesContributionProduction
2005Crash: Music from and Inspired by Crash (Soundtrack)KansasCaliSuperb Records06/07/05If I... (Track #1)[23]Writer & Performernone
2005Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005 film) (International Soundtrack)KansasCaliWarner Bros. Records | Edel Music07/22/05If I Never See You Again (Track #1)[24]Writer & Performernone
2006Once in a Lifetime Original SoundtrackKansasCaliSuperb Records07/11/06"U Gotta Fight"Writer & Performernone
2006Haven (soundtrack)KansasCaliSuperb Records09/19/06"Uuuh"[25]Writer & Performernone
2006Kickin' It Old SkoolKansasCaliSuperb RecordsAugust 6"The Life"[26]Writer & Performernone

As a member and lead vocalist/rapper of The Rocturnals

2008 (soundtrack)

YearMovie SoundtrackArtistLabelReleasedSinglesContributionProduction
2008Save The Brave (First Responders Documentary)KansasCaliFeal Good FoundationAugust 8"In My America" ft. The Rocturnals (Acoustic)[26]Writer & PerformerCo-Producer

2009 - 2011

YearArtistAlbumLabelReleasedSinglesContributionProduction
2009United Students of America"In My America" Tribute LPUSOFA2009"In My America" ft. The Rocturnals (Track #1)Writer & PerformerCo-Producer
2010The Rocturnals2010 NBA All-Star Rookie GameBlack Casino Music2010This Is Where Amazing Happens ft. The RocturnalsWriter & Performernone
2011The RocturnalsThe LifeBlack Casino Music & Entertainment04/2011The Life[27]Writer & Performernone
2011The RocturnalsN/ABlack Casino Music & Entertainment01/2011"Celebrate The Earth"[28]Writer & Performernone
2011Doctor Fink"Doctor Fink presents A Tribute to Prince"[29]Tommy Boy Entertainment8/2011"Pop Life"Writer & Performernone

As Emcee N.I.C.E. (Novelist Is Constantly Evolving)

2012

ArtistAlbumLabelReleasedSinglesContributionProduction
Emcee N.I.C.E.Way Back NowGypsy City Music06/2012"Life of The Party" ft. Blake Smith[30]Writer & Performernone
Emcee N.I.C.E.Way Back NowGypsy City Music06/2012"King Kong In My Trunk"[31]Writer & Performernone
Emcee N.I.C.E.Way Back NowGypsy City Music06/2012"My Cali Lean" feat. D.B.I.[32]Writer & Performernone
Emcee N.I.C.E.Way Back NowGypsy City Music11/2012"Life of The Party" ft. Stacey Dash & Blake Smith (Dance Remix)[33]Writer & Performernone
Emcee N.I.C.E.N/AActivate | InGrooves12/2012"Christmas With U" feat. Who Am I?[34]Writer & Performernone

2013

ArtistAlbumLabelReleasedSinglesContributionProduction
Emcee N.I.C.E.Way Back Now (EP)[35]Gypsy City MusicJanuary 2013"Life of The Party"Writer & Performernone

Album(s)

2015

ArtistAlbumLabelReleasedSinglesContributionProduction
Emcee N.I.C.E.However U Want It (2015)Gypsy City MusicJune 2015"Tonight" feat. Suhana MacheteWriter & Performernone

Tonight feat. Suhana Machete peaked at #8 on the US Billboard Hot Single Sales Chart in 2014 (Billboard Albums)[36]

TitleDateUSAlbum
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)11/01/2014#12[37]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)11/08/2014#17[38]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)11/22/2014#9[39]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)11/29/2014#8[40]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)12/06/2014#10[41]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)12/20/2014#8[42]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)12/27/2014#8[43]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)01/03/2015#11[44]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)01/10/2015#9[45]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)01/17/2015#12[46]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)01/24/2015#13[47]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)01/31/2015#11[48]However U Want It
"Tonight" (ft. Suhana Machete)02/14/2015#12[49]However U Want It

2016

ArtistAlbumLabelReleasedSinglesContributionProduction
Emcee N.I.C.E.All About U[50]Gypsy City Music09/15/2016"All About U" ft. Darius McCrary[51]Writer & Performernone
Emcee N.I.C.E.N/AGypsy City Music07/2016"Tout Le Monde en Fleek" feat. Choco Charnell[52]Writer & Performernone
Emcee N.I.C.E.N/AGypsy City Music07/2016"Je Vais" feat. Choco Charnell[53]Writer & Performernone
Brandino and FriendsMany Faces of BrandinoN'House Records09/16/2016"If I Could Go Back" ft. Emcee N.I.C.E.[54]Writer & Performernone

2017

ArtistAlbumLabelReleasedSinglesContributionProduction
Emcee N.I.C.E.PRAISE (2017)[55]Gypsy City MusicSeptember 2017"I Got Angels"[56] & "Alright" (ft. Stripped, Rahkua & The Georgia All-Stars)[57]Writer & Performernone

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 (Billboard) #8

Acting

YearShowNetworkRoleContributionEpisodesShow Runner
2015Da Jammies[58]NetflixNovelistCo-Creator, Co-Executive Producer13Ralph Farquhar
20156 Degrees of EverythingTruTVSupermanPerformer1Marc Summers

TV shows and special songs

YearShowNetworkReleaseSongContribution
2003Emmitt Smith presents The Emmitt ZoneKNXV-TV (Phoenix, AZ)2003Emmitt Zone ft. KansasCaliPerformer & Writer
2007George Wilborn TVOne Comedy Special "I Don’t Want to Be No Star"[59]TV One (US TV network)October 2007"I Don't Want To Be A Star" ft. The RocturnalsPerformer & Writer
2008Lil JJ present "Almost Grown" (Comedy Special)[60]CodeBlack Entertainment2008"Almost Grown" ft. D.B.I. & The RocturnalsWriter & Performer
2009Lav Luv TVOne Comedy Special "I’m Gonna Get In Trouble"TV One (US TV network)October 2007"I'm Gonna Get in Trouble" ft. The RocturnalsPerformer & Writer

Awards & Achievements

Stellar Gospel Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019Emcee N.I.C.E. (God's House of Hip Hop Radio on Dash Radio)Gospel Hip Hop Station of the YearWon
Rap Hip-Hop Gospel CD of the YearNominated
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2020Emcee N.I.C.E. (God's House of Hip Hop Radio on Dash Radio)Internet Station of the Year[61]Nominated

Kingdom Image Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019Emcee N.I.C.E.Hip Hop Artist of the YearNominated
Producer of the Year - (Sam Peezy)Won

The Spin Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 Emcee N.I.C.E. Voice of the Year Nominated[62]
Emcee N.I.C.E. Internet Radio Personality of the Year Won[63]
2019 Emcee N.I.C.E. Internet Radio Host of the Year Nominated[62]
Emcee N.I.C.E. Best Radio Show 2 or More - (God's Calamari w/ Emcee N.I.C.E. & The God Squad) Won[63]
"God’s House of Hip Hop Radio on Dash Radio" Curated by Emcee N.I.C.E. Best New Station of the Year Won[63]
"God’s House of Hip Hop Radio on Dash Radio" Curated by Emcee N.I.C.E. Internet Radio Station of the Year Won[63]

Awards/Nominations

  • 2019: Stellar Awards Nomination, Rap/Hip Hop CD of the Year - PRAISE[62]
  • 2019: Stellar Awards Nomination, Internet Station of the Year - GH3 Radio (God's House of Hip Hop) - Curated by Emcee N.I.C.E.[62]
  • 2019: Kingdom Image Awards Nomination, Producer of the Year - [64]
  • 2019: The Spin Awards Nominees [65]

References

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  2. https://www.amazon.com/Da-Jammies-Season-1/dp/B075TPKBN3
  3. https://www.kidgeniustv.com/da-jammies
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  5. "Aulsondro Novelist Hamilton". IMDb. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
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  62. http://thestellarawards.com/2018nominees.html
  63. https://www.thespinawards.com/winners/
  64. https://kingdomimageawards.com/2019-award-recipients/
  65. https://www.thespinawards.com/nominees/

Aulsondro Novelist Hamilton discography at Discogs

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