Privaledge

Privaledge was raised in West Philadelphia. He developed his interest in rapping around his grandmother's neighborhood in Southwest Philadelphia at the age of 10. He would battle rap as well as participate in freestyle cyphers with other kids in the neighborhood. Privaledge attended Bryant Elementary School, Sayre Jr. High / High School and Chad High School. By the time Privaledge graduated high school most of his friends were either incarcerated or murdered and he wanted to make a difference. He had a passion for hip hop and rhyming and used that as a outlet to express to the world the issues that are going on in our communities.

Although Privaledge wanted to attend college to escape the streets, he was unsure about the major he should pick up. While Privaledge was attending school, he received a call from his mother that his best friend was killed that was also a rapper. From that moment Privaledge told himself that he would focus more on making music and making a difference in his community.

Privaledge grew up listening to music from Jay Z, Biggie, Tupac, Lil Wayne, Nas, Jadakiss, Jeezy, T.I. and Fabolous. Jay Z was his favorite rapper Rocafella, Bad Boy, State Property and Dipset was a musical influence growing on the east coast. West Coast musicians Privaledge grew up listening to was Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre, as far as the midwest Eminem & Nelly. His favorite producers growing up was Timberland, Swizz Beats and Pharrell.

While Privaledge was attending college in Arizona he met James Harden, a point guard for ASU at the time. Privaledge was introduced to James Harden by one of Harden's college teammates "Twi". Every time Harden would run into Privaledge on campus or at a party he would ask him to "spit some bars" [rap]. Harden became a fan of Privaledge's lyrics and they later became good friends. When Harden got drafted to the NBA 1st round pick, 3rd overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder he flew Privaledge to Oklahoma to introduce him to Kevin Durant. Durant heard Privaledge rap live for him as they streamed a "ustream" and instantly became a fan of his lyrics. The ustream video of Privaledge gained over 100,000 live views, so much traction that it made the front page of ustream.

Privaledge's first mixtape Itz A Privaledge was a project put together with his producer C.L. McCoy at the time. DJ Skee heard about a record Privaledge put together called "This The Life" featuring Waka Flocka and reached out to him during his second mixtape The Playbook. DJ Skee alongside director Matt Alonzo filmed "Heard About Me" music video, a release on The Playbook. While working on the mixtape Skee introduced Privaledge to Kendrick Lamar, Kendrick and Privaledge recorded lyrics over "Sh*tted On Em" a record that later featured on Privaledge's mixtape. DJ Mustard and YG also featured on his mixtape with their record "Neva Did".

Trina appeared on Privaledge's mixtape JoeWorld, the record "Thinking Of You" was also released as an extended version on her mixtape Back 2 Business. Nipsey Hussle featured on "Cold" a release on Privaledge's JoeWold mixtape. "Rolls Royce" featuring Kevin Durant is one of the popular records from JoeWorld.

Privaledge an upcoming artist from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a unique sound from the streets. Privaledge style is a mixture of east coast rooted lyrics with southern/west coast melodies. Privaledge has released 5 projects to date, which include 5 mixtapes. Itz A Privaledge, The Playbook, JoeWorld, They Hated, and his most recently released project Black Priv. This project was recorded at WildFire Studios in Phoenix, AZ.

Privaledge performed shows with artist such as Snoop Dogg, Waka Flocka, Trina, YG, Young Thug, Yfn Lucci, Tyga, Travis Porter, Nelly, Juicy J, and more. Privaledge performed on the Young Thug "HiTunes Tour" and also performed on MTV's Wild N Out college tour.

"I remember my big cousin freestylin over the old DJ Clue tapes, back when they was cassette tapes."

"I grew up in the hood, my mom grew up in the hood, my grandmom grew up in the hood...somebody gotta break the cycle."