Loon (rapper)
| Loon | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Chauncey Lamont Hawkins June 20, 1975 Harlem, New York City, New York, United States |
| Other names |
Loon (stage name) Amir Junaid Hawkins (after conversion to Islam) |
| Occupation | Rapper, religious activist |
| Years active | 1998—2009 |
| Religion | Islam |
|
Musical career | |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Labels |
Bad Boy Records (2001—2004) Boss Up Entertainment (2004—2009) |
| Associated acts | Diddy, Mase, Harlem World |
Amir Junaid Hawkins (born Chauncey Lamont Hawkins , June 20, 1975 in Harlem, New York) best known by his stage name Loon, was an American rapper formerly signed to P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records. In 2004, he parted ways to start his own label, Boss Up Entertainment. After having converted to Islam in 2009, he subsequently ended his music career. While on a trip to Brussels, he was arrested on November 22, 2011, and extradited to the United States and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for long-standing drug offences.[1]
Career
Chauncey Hawkins born in Harlem became part of P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records under the name Loon. He released his self-titled debut album Loon and made many guest appearances on songs of the R&B and hip hop genres. He is best known for his role in P. Diddy's 2001 hits "I Need A Girl Pt. 1".
In 2004, Loon left Bad Boy Records to start his own label, Boss Up Entertainment. Loon started his music career as a member of Mase's rap collective Harlem World.
Along with his music, Loon was featured in two movies directed by Damon Dash, State Property 2 and Death of a Dynasty.
Personal life
Loon converted to Islam in 2009. Born Chauncey Lamont Hawkins, he changed his name to Amir Junaid Hawkins. He travelled to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest site of Islam to perform Umrah.
Discography
Albums
| Album details | Peak positions |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | |
Loon
|
6 |
No Friends
|
|
Wizard of Harlem
|
|
Bad Boy
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Rap | UK | |||
| "Down for Me" (featuring Mario Winans) |
2003 | 24 | 28 | 19 | — | Loon |
| "How You Want That" (featuring Kelis) |
88 | 41 | — | — | ||
| "Show Me Your Soul" (featuring P. Diddy, Lenny Kravitz & Pharrell of The Neptunes) |
— | — | — | 35 | Bad Boys II soundtrack | |
| "Who Is Dat" (featuring T-Pain) |
2007 | — | — | — | — | N/A |
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Rap | UK | |||
| "Promise (So So Def Remix)" (Jagged Edge featuring Loon) |
2000 | — | — | — | — | Promise |
| "I Need a Girl (Part One)" (P. Diddy featuring Usher & Loon) |
2002 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | We Invented the Remix |
| "I Need a Girl (Part Two)" (P. Diddy featuring Ginuwine, Mario Winans, Tammy Ruggieri & Loon) |
4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| "I Do (Wanna Get Close to You)" (3LW featuring P. Diddy & Loon) |
58 | 50 | — | — | A Girl Can Mack | |
| "Young & Sexy" (Lyric featuring Loon) |
— | 79 | — | — | Lyric | |
| "Hit the Freeway" (Toni Braxton featuring Loon) |
86 | 32 | — | 29 | More than a Woman | |
| "Crazy" (Dream featuring Loon) |
2003 | — | — | — | — | Reality |
Guest appearances
- 1998: "Back Up Off The Wall" Brand Nubian (uncredited)
- 2002: "How U Want Dat" (Remix) by the Game.
- 2003 "Tru Rider" (Mowett feat. Loon)
- 2005: "Smile for Me" (Massari feat. Loon).
- 2009: "What You Say" (Loon feat. Christopher).
- 2009: "No Way Nobody" (Karl Wolf feat. Loon).
References
External links
- Boss Up Entertainment (Loon's own record label)
- Official Loon Myspace
- Loon at the Internet Movie Database
- Aljazeera Interview
- London Interview
- Toronto Interview, Loon's Testimonial