Jemini the Gifted One

Thomas Smith, better known by his stage name Jemini the Gifted One, is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York.[1] He has most notably worked with Danger Mouse on the 2003 album Ghetto Pop Life, which features rappers such as The Pharcyde, Tha Alkaholiks, J-Zone, and Prince Po from Organized Konfusion.[2]

Jemini the Gifted One
Birth nameThomas Smith
Also known asJemini
OriginBrooklyn, New York
GenresAlternative hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active1995-present
LabelsMercury/PolyGram Records, Tommy Boy Black Label, Big Token Records, Brainchild Entertainment, Lex Records
Associated actsDanger Mouse, Prince Po

Career

Jemini released a 7 track promo-only EP only Mercury/Polygram in 1995 called Scars and Pain.[3]

"Funk Soul Sensation", produced by Organized Konfusion, was the debut single. In a review, Billboard called it "[s]ensational, smart soul."[4] It peaked at number 36 on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart.[5] A remix of "Funk Soul Sensation" was released later in 1995 on 12" vinyl. The B-side was "Funk Soul Sensation pt.II", which continued the dual personas of "The Gifted One" and the "Funk Soul Sensation" rapping back and forth to each other. In 1997, Jemini released another promotional single titled "Who Wanna Step To Dis" which was followed by 1998's "I.M.C.U.D.O.N.T./Who Wanna Step II Dis."

His 2003 collaboration with Danger Mouse, Ghetto Pop Life, landed the duo on The Guardian's list of The Forty Best Bands in the US, stating that the album "opts for a charming musical eclecticism and a fierce lyrical intelligence that bears comparison to prime-time Public Enemy."[6] The Independent wrote, "Along with Outkast's double-header, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, Ghetto Pop Life is this year's most engrossing hip-hop record."[7]

In 2006, another rapper by the name of Gemini, under Lupe Fiasco's 1st & 15th label, emerged in the rap game. Jemini threatened to sue him so Gemini was forced to change his name to GemStones.

In July 2014 a report from BoomBapBox.com revealed Jemini has changed his name to 'Big City' and is currently shopping a documentary about Ghetto Pop Life entitled 'Mice & Men' as well as working on new music and other projects.[8]

Discography

Albums

EPs
  • Scars and Pain (1995)
  • Take Care of Business (2002) (with Danger Mouse)
  • Conceited Bastard (2003) (with Danger Mouse)
  • 26 Inch EP (2003) (with Danger Mouse)

Singles
  • "Funk Soul Sensation" (1995)
  • "Who Wanna Step II Dis" (1997)
  • "Who Wanna Step II Dis (Remix)" b/w "I.M.C.U.D.O.N.T. (I MC U Don't)" (1998)
  • "The I.N.I." b/w "Makes the World Go Round" (2000)

Guest appearances
  • 2 Rude - "All You Need (I Can Love You Better)" and "Don`t Hate Me" from Rudimental 2K (1999)
  • Chase Phoenix - "Feel So..." from Cut to the Chase (2004)
  • Prince Po - "Hold Dat" and "Fall Back" from The Slickness (2004)

References
  1. Strock, Owen (November 7, 2003). "DM + Jemini - Ghetto Pop Life". Dusted Magazine.
  2. Ware, Tony (August 15, 2003). "Ghetto Pop Life". XLR8R. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014.
  3. Nelson, Havelock (April 8, 1995). ""Mercury Debut Rapper Jemini Proudly Displays All His 'Scars'", Billboard 107 (14): 18–19. Convenience link.
  4. Flick, Larry, ed. (April 15, 1995). "Jemini the Gifted One: Funk Soul Sensation", Billboard 107 (15): 49.
  5. "Jemini-The Gifted One - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  6. (October 24, 2003). "Friday Review: The Forty Best Bands in the US", The Guardian, p. 12.
  7. Mugan, Chris (October 31, 2003). "Get beyond the cartoon: DM and Jemini don't mind a little bling-bling", The Independent, p. 16.
  8. "Whatever happened to Jemini ? SOLVED". BoomBapBox.com. 2014-07-25. Archived from the original on 2014-08-08.
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