The Last Emperor (Jamal Gray)

Rapper

What is The Last Emperor (Jamal Gray) known for?

Born on May 1, 1972, Jamal Gray, better known by his stage name The Last Emperor, is a celebrated figure in the world of hip-hop from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Having taken his stage name from the Bernardo Bertolucci film epic "The Last Emperor", Gray graduated from Overbrook High School in Philadelphia before obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science/International Relations from Lincoln University. He then moved to New York to pursue his passion for music, making a name for himself at open mic nights.

In a relatively short span of two years, Gray was signed to Aftermath Entertainment, becoming a protégé of the renowned Dr. Dre. A few years later, news surfaced of Gray signing with Rawkus Records. While a few singles were released, the label halted further music releases without explanation. Determined to keep his music alive, Gray formed Red Planet Music and released his debut album, "Music, Magic, Myth" through this imprint.

Gray, aka The Last Emperor, has opened for legendary acts such as Def Squad, Common, The Roots, and KRS-One, and has left his mark on stages at the Lyricist Lounge. He has also showcased his talent globally - from Denmark's Roskilde Festival to London's Jam in the Park, and Norway's Quart Festival. He even had the opportunity to guest MC for Gorillaz.

Beyond his debut, Gray also released albums like "Lord of the Fly" and "The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wolfman" in collaboration with Haak Filmore, along with a range of singles, mixtapes, and music videos. Despite a few bumps along the road, such as the planned album 'Wizards Wardrobe' never materializing, Gray's perseverance and dedication to his craft are evident in his extensive discography and fan base.

To know more about The Last Emperor, you can visit his official website or follow him on Twitter.