BIOGRAPHY
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Origin:  Philadelphia, PA
Genres:  Hip-Hop
Label:  Independent
Website: BlackPriv.com
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Biography
 
          Privaledge was raised in Philadelphia, PA. He developed his interest in rapping around his grandmother's neighborhood in Southwest Philadelphia at the age of 10. He would battle rap and 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 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.
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"I remember my big cousin freestylin over the old DJ Clue tapes, back when they was cassette tapes."
- Privaledge
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                   Privaledge grew up listening to his favorite rapper Jay Z, as well as, Biggie, Tupac, Lil Wayne, Nas, Jadakiss, Jeezy, T.I. and Fabolous.  Growing up on the east coast, Rocafella, Bad Boy, State Property and Dipset were major influences on him. He also drew inspiration from the other regions of the country, with Snoop Dogg and Dr, Dre representing West Coast influences, while Eminem and Nelly were from the mid-west.  His favorite producers were Timberland, Swizz Beats and Pharrell Williams.
       
          While attending college in Arizona, Privaledge was introduced to James Harden by "Twi", who was one of Harden's teammates on the Arizona State University basketball team. The two developed a friendship over a mutual love of rap, with Harden prompting Privaledge to "spit some bars" (rap), when they would see each other on campus. After James Harden was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the third pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, he flew Privaledge out to Oklahoma City to meet one of his new teammates, Kevin Durant, who was also an avid hip=hop fan. 
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          The three worked in conjunction with producer C.L. McCoy to craft Privaledge's first mixtape: "Itz a Privaledge", which was enough to catch the attention of DJ Skee. Skee was interested in working with Privaledge on his second mixtape, which was titled, "The Playbook".,  This mixtape featured "This the Life (ft. Waka Flocka Flame)", as well as "Neva Did (ft. YG)", "Kyla Pratt", which was played consistently by the Thunder during the 2011-12 NBA Playoffs. and "Sh*tted on 'Em (ft. Kendrick Lamar).  The project also included production contributions from notable producers such as DJ Mustard and Jahlil Beats.  Privaledge continued to work with DJ Skee on his following mixtape, "Joe World", which includes songs such as "So Cold (Ft. Nipsey Hussle and Nathan Sela)", "Thinking of You (ft. Trina) and "Rolls Royce", a collaboration with Kevin Durant.  Other notable contributions include a verse from Bun-B and production from Boi-1da, 
 
          Privaledge continued to put music out including "They Hated", an LP dropped in 2015, and "Black Priv" in 2016,  which featured, "Work It", a song that was spun on the Philadelphia radio station, Power99 by DJ Diamond Kuts.  His singles were making noise as well, as "Worried Bout Tomorrow", another collaboration with Kevin Durant, was played on Jimmy Kimmel Live during an interview with Kevin Durant in 2016, while "Cheffin" was recognized by HipHopDx, as the winner of the "Litness Test", and was featured on BET Jams. .

          In 2019 "Reality" was released. The 12-track project included a wide variety of songs ranging from the up-tempo, bar heavy bangers like, "Ride or Die" and "Peezy", to more serious tracks tackling the issues of racism and police brutality in America, like "How it Goes" and "Takin' a Break".  The album, as well as the videos released for "Ride or Die", "You the Bid" and "Peezy", have been featured on notable hip-hop blogs including XXL, HipHopDx, HipHopSince1987 and The Hype Magazine.
 
          Throughout his career, Privaledge has performed shows with artist such as Snoop Dogg, Waka Flocka, Rick Ross, Trina, YG, Young Thug, Roddy Ricch, G Herbo, YFN Lucci, Tyga, Travis Porter, Nelly, Juicy J, and more. He was featured on the Young Thug "HiTunes Tour",  MTV's Wild N Out college tour and The Rel Carter Culture Tour, while headlining on the "Introduction Tour" presented by Wildfire Entertainment.  He has also made an appearance on MTV's TRL and BET.
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2020 Privaledge released 6 EPs Respect Don't Expect, Reality Check, Racism Still Alive, Actions Speak Louder, The Missing Piece, and Most Consistent.
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With the hunger of an up-and-comer and the experience of a veteran, Privaledge has continued making music, and more importantly, making moves toward success as he continues his career, and continues the "Black Priv" Movement.


"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."
- Privaledge