Tame One: Career and Influence

HalfTimeOnline

Tame One, born Rahem Ross Brown on March 20, 1970, was a renowned American hip-hop recording artist and graffiti artist from New Jersey. He garnered considerable attention and success as a member of hip-hop groups such as Artifacts, Leak Bros, and the supergroup The Weathermen.

Throughout his career, Tame One was celebrated for his unique style and exceptional contribution to hip-hop. His affiliation with Artifacts, a group he formed with fellow rapper El da Sensei, catapulted him to prominence in the early 1990s. The duo’s focus on graffiti as an essential element of hip-hop culture set them apart and resonated with fans worldwide.

Despite his untimely death on November 6, 2022, at 52, Tame One’s legacy inspires and influences the hip-hop world. Both as a solo artist and a member of groundbreaking groups, he has carved an indelible mark on the genre that will not be forgotten.

Early Life and Career

New Jersey Origins

Tame One, whose real name was Rahem Ross Brown, was born in Newark, New Jersey on March 20, 1970. Growing up in Newark exposed him to the gritty world of hip-hop and graffiti art, which would later serve as the foundation for his career.

Artifacts Era

Tame One became a member of the hip-hop duo Artifacts in 1993, alongside El Da Sensei. The group quickly gained recognition for their fusion of graffiti-inspired lyrics and raw energy, which set them apart in the hip-hop scene at the time. Their music showcased their talents as both lyricists and graffiti artists, earning them a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim.

Graffiti Influence

As a graffiti artist in the mid-1980s, Tame One was heavily influenced by the vibrant street art scene in Newark. His passion for graffiti ultimately impacted his music, as he sought to bring the visual aesthetic of street art into the world of hip-hop. The Artifacts became known for celebrating and integrating the graffiti subculture into their music, effectively bridging the gap between two seemingly disparate art forms.

Solo Career and Collaborations

Solo Albums

Rapper Tame One, born Rahem Brown, began his solo career in the 2000s after gaining fame as a member of Artifacts. He released his debut solo album, When Rappers Attack, in 2003. Tame One continued to produce several other solo albums, EPs, and singles throughout his career.

Supergroup Exploits

Tame One was also known for his involvement in various supergroups, including Leak Bros and The Weathermen. The Weathermen featured several prominent hip-hop artists such as Aesop Rock, El-P, and Yak Ballz. The collective produced music that garnered attention in the hip-hop community and added to Tame One’s reputation as an influential rapper.

Collaborations

Tame One had a penchant for working with other talented artists throughout his career. Notably, he partnered with former labelmate Cage in Leak Bros, resulting in a distinct musical collaboration. Additionally, he collaborated with Del The Funky Homosapien in an album titled Parallel Uni-verses, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt to different musical styles.

Guest Appearances

As a respected figure in the hip-hop world, Tame One was often invited to contribute guest verses on various tracks. He worked with El Da Sensei, his former Artifacts partner, on numerous occasions. Furthermore, Tame One appeared on songs by other hip-hop heavyweights such as Aesop Rock and El-P, among others.

Late Career and Legacy

Last Projects

In the later years of Tame One’s career, he still made contributions to the world of hip-hop, collaborating with iconic producers and artists such as Buckwild and Rah Digga. He also worked with fellow rappers like Breeze Brewin, Vast Aire, and Redman.

Influence in Hip Hop

Tame One’s unique, casual charisma resonated with many in the hip-hop community, resulting in collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Del the Funky Homosapien, Mos Def, and Legend. He also formed connections with talented wordsmiths like Jakki Tha Motamouth and DJ Kaos. When it comes to New Jersey’s hip-hop scene, Tame One’s lasting impact is undeniable.

His debut album, released during his time as a solo artist, inspired a new generation of artists, including Travis McCoy and Big Daddy Rap Beast. As a member of the Eastern Conference and The Weathermen, Tame One contributed to the development of emerging rap collectives.

Legacy

Throughout his career, Tame One left a lasting impression on the music industry. His collaborations with influential artists, groups, and producers ensured that his work will continue to inspire and influence new talent. Following his passing, tributes from fellow artists like Rah Digga and numerous fans marked the rapper’s importance to the genre, with many expressing their “Rest in Peace” sentiments.

Tame One’s legacy as a highly respected rapper, influence in the hip-hop world, and his impact on future artists can all be traced back to his passion for creativity and versatile talent.

Personal Life and Death

Family and Relationships

Tame One, born Rahem Brown, was a prominent rapper known for his involvement in various rap groups, including Artifacts, Leak Bros, and The Weatherman. He was closely related to another famous rapper, Redman, as they were first cousins.

Cause and Circumstances of Death

Tame One passed away at the age of 52 on November 6, 2022. The cause of Tame One’s death was heart failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Tame One’s influences?

Tame One’s influences remain undisclosed, as there is not enough information available to determine specific artists or groups who might have inspired him.

What’s Tame One’s best album?

Tame One’s best album can be subjective and opinions may vary; however, he is notably recognized for his work in the early ’90s with the hip-hop group Artifacts.

Which groups has Tame One been part of?

Tame One has been a member of the hip-hop groups Artifacts and The Weathermen.

What is Tame One’s real name?

Tame One’s real name is Rahem Brown.

Are there any Tame One collaborations?

Collaborations involving Tame One are not mentioned in the available information. However, Tame One has worked closely with El Da Sensei as part of the Artifacts.

What is Tame One’s latest release?

There’s no information about Tame One’s latest release. However, it’s important to know that Tame One tragically passed away at the age of 52 on November 7, 2022, due to heart failure.

From the archives

Elemental Magazine Vol 4, Issue 48 (2003)_550x702

Elemental Magazine
Issue 48 (2003)

Who you think made it so cool to shout New Jeruz? If your answer ain’t Artifacts then Tame One’s got beef wit ya. In the Mid nineties the duo of Tame One and El Da Sensei ripped through the underground littering the scene with classic tracks like “Cmon Wit the Getdown,” “Dynamite Soul,” and the timeless graffiti anthem “Wrong Side of The Tracks.” From being named to Unsigned Hype to collecting a gold plaque for the single, “The Ultimate” The Artifacts made a name for themselves and helped put New Jersey on the hiphop map. While those accomplishments are common knowledge to true heads, Tame feels like the crew hasn’t received the credit that they deserve.

“We aren’t even a trivia question or in the crossroad puzzle in the back of the Source,” jokes Tame. “I just feel overlooked, slept on, call it what you wish. I don’t see any acknowledgements to any Artifacts achievements at all. As far as the media is concerned from what I’ve seen in magazines it’s like we made no impact. Our contribution to hiphop was totally ignored and I think we held the strongest spot in people’s hearts.”

Labels weren’t quick to support the group either as the Facts’ were dropped from Atlantic Records following their second release. Internal strife developed between El and Tame and after a short resurfacing under the name Brick City Kids the two eventually split in late ’97. No longer partnered up with El, Tame set out to record his first solo effort, “One Flew Over The Cookooz Nest.” The album wasn’t well received when Tame shopped it around and decided to shelve it. After appearing on several projects such as Rawkus’ “Hiphop For Respect” EP and few singles with his crew, The Boom Skwad, Tame decided to take a hiatus from the game. After a few years off the scene Tame-One linked up with Mighty Mi and company, signing a two year deal with their imprint Eastern Conference Records. After contributing a couple tracks to the Eastern Conference All Stars compilations, Tame set out to develop his newest creation, “When Rappers Attack.” “When Rappers Attack” takes it back to the roots of hiphop when straight up mcing and lyrics were the norm. Tame purposely kept the LP short and to the point avoiding long winded rhyme marathons and filler cuts in favor of 12 solid songs.

“I was thinking more along the format of cassettes,” explained Tame. “I didn’t shorten songs or anything like that, mostly I was just feeling it out. When it came down to it I didn’t have a set number of songs that I was going to do. I was just recording and when I started compiling them and playing them I was like it just feels right at this level cuz I didn’t want any skits on it or an intro or outro none of that. There is no glitz or glamour it’s just hey here it is.”

Lyrically Tame kept to the direct approach. Each song is relatively straight forward and consistent style wise. Instead of experimenting he stayed true to his standard flow to test out the waters. After being off the scene for so long it’s his way to see where he fits in.

“I didn’t want to go over the top lyrically and be a dictionary rapper,” explained Tame. “I didn’t want to come out and be like look I’m super style man. I tried to keep it as direct as possible. To me my earlier work was kinda sporadic I was screaming for no reason. On certain songs I was just yelling, but what for the song does not require that much hype. My style has definitely matured like a fine wine. In the early 90s your happy to be on you got rhymes from the sixth grade that you want to use, now I took the approach of I don’t want to sound like I’ve been gone for six thousand years and you can notice. I didn’t wild out style wise on this album, I took a straight course and most of the beats were headbop beats anyway I need a little speed to start freaking the flow.”

From start to finish “When Rappers Attack” reflects Tame’s personality. Tracks like “Tame As It Ever Was” and “Iz It Me” both touch on his frustrations with the industry and the lack of creativity that has become popularized in the some mainstream circles.

However, he took time out to pay homage to graffiti writers and remade the Slick Rick classic “The Moment I feared.”

“I just always played that song. When that album was out of course I bought the whole shit but that was my personal album cut. While the whole world was going the “Children’s Story” is hot I was bumping “The Moment I feared” in the crib.”

Another song that steers off the direct course of the LP is Tame’s favorite cut, “Concerto,” where he introduces his Acid Tab Vocab style.

“Me and my homie / producer Geo was high as hell one night in the studio banging out joints for the “One Flew Over The Cuckooz Nest” project and I went into the booth and just started spazzing out. It wasn’t just babbling, the things I was saying and touching on was catching him out there and started taping me somewhere in the middle of it and the style just happened. He played it back and kept playing it back and we were like that’s crazy ass style. Throwing darts out of nowhere, touching on certain subjects that may or may not mean something to somebody else, but affected me in some type of way or brought my attention to it and hit on it.”

With a lot of people submitting beats to Mighty Mi, Tame had numerous choices to sift through before deciding on using ones from J-Zone, Mhz’s Camu Tao, Mighty Mi, and RJD2 among others. Although he stuck close to the usual line-up that has been used on previous EC releases he purposely chose music from that was not considered by the other artists on the label.

“I knew for sure that I didn’t want to come out and just have a “Eastern Conference” sound,” explains Tame. “I made sure that no one else wanted these beats. I would play the same beat tape for Cage and say you didn’t pick none of these and he was like nah I didn’t pick none of those, so I was like great let me start with this pile right here.”

Unless you have a prior working relationship with the producer it could be difficult to get the exact sound you are looking for. Tame dipped into what was available, but after he made his choice the producers were more than willing to work to make the best backdrop for his lyrics. Camu Tao and J-zone are perfect examples.

“J-zone can give me a whole album,” exclaims Tame. “He makes his own changes. I’d lay down the vocals and then two days later he would have it mixed already like peep this with all types of changeups and breakdowns in the appropriate places so I didn’t have to make changes. Camu hooked me up [as well]. His was tailor made to fit damn near. He hit it right on the head what I was after. He would ask me what type of tempo, etc. plus he had a feel for my rhymes already so it was relatively simple.”

While this would seem to be the perfect set up don’t expect the trend to continue on the next album. Tame is not one for sticking to one set of production rules and plans on switching the sound on future releases. The production lineup would have been different this time around as well if Tame had his way. While he wouldn’t approach big names like the Neptunes, he would have showed love for his New Jeruz brethren introducing a lot of up and coming Jersey producers. However, after signing up with Eastern Conference certain people he was working with stopped seeing a potentially great opportunity to showcase their work, only concentrating strictly on dollar signs. Tame found out that working with local unknowns can be just as difficult and expensive as getting a top name.

“I had like a half of an album worth of material from Jersey producers alone, then all of us sudden for one reason or another dudes just started flipping,” claimed Tame. “It’s just that most of the producers in Jersey they start changing on you once you get a deal like I want ten thousand dollars. One cat was like I want five grand a track and I want it now! He was like I know you can break me off something because this ain’t no [su]spect deal. [Certain heads in] New York wasn’t trying to show love they was like Tame One you ain’t gonna make no album or oh you don’t got a big budget then I can’t fuck with you.”

When the album drops Tame hopes that he will be well received and all those doubters will realize his potential and pay more respect to his ability. And open a few eyes up and let the fans know he’s back.

“I want to create a slight stir,” insists Tame. “The way the system is set up now I honestly don’t know where I fit in. Being that I’ve been off the scene for so long I hope they are just happy to hear from a motherfucker. Maybe after they hear it they will take it up a notch and start hitting me with beats. You can’t even get somebody to let you listen to beats anymore.”

If you gain fans with this effort are you worried that you will lose them by flipping styles

“I don’t know if its ego but if they are really listening to what I be saying, how im saying it or just gonna stick with Tame One for being tame one they know what’s up. At any given time I might spaz out lyrically and it’s expected. If I keep coming at somebody the same way in the same fashion that’s not Tame like.”

With El releasing his solo LP off of Seven Heads earlier in the year and Tame now back on the scene with “When Rappers Attack” successful or not the question will remain and  be asked countless times, when are the Artifacts going to settle their personal differences and get back together?

“I just can’t see that far into future. You can’t rap with someone you can’t talk with. That’s just my personal opinion. If you can’t talk to me you can’t rap with me or else the whole meaning behind it is fake and forced. Now if somebody throw up a check its real simple to front and smile for the camera and be a real dickhead about it and say we’re back together love is love we gonna do this for hiphop only wanting the check. I think it will show in the work.”