Everlast

[sweetspice]

Erik Schrody (born August 18, 1969, in Valley Stream, New York), better known by his stage name Everlast, is an Irish-American rapper and singer-songwriter, best known for his hit "What It's Like", and for his genre-crossing mix of hip-hop and acoustic-based rock music. He was the frontman for rap group House of Pain until 1996. In 2000, he won a Grammy for best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal with latin rock musician Carlos Santana performing Put Your Lights On on Santana's 1999 album Supernatural (see 1999 in music).

Early days and House of Pain

Emerging as a member of the Rhyme Syndicate, Everlast's first solo album Forever Everlasting (1990)—which was largely made possible by emcee Ice T—failed both critically and commercially. Following the album's flop, Everlast formed House of Pain with friends DJ Lethal and Danny Boy. Signed to Tommy Boy Records, the group's 1992 eponymous debut album went multi-platinum with the hit single "Jump Around". The group eventually disbanded in 1996, and Everlast once again pursued a solo career.

Solo success

Everlast's second solo album Whitey Ford Sings the Blues (1998) – which was released a full eight years after his solo debut and after he had a major heart attack – was both a commercial and critical success (selling more than 3 million copies). Whitey Ford Sings the Blues was hailed for its blend of rap with acoustic and electric guitars, developed by Everlast together with producers Dante Ross and John Gamble (aka SD50). The album's lead single "What It's Like" proved to be his most popular and successful song, although the follow up single, "Ends", also reached the rock top 10.

Despite the success of Whitey Ford Sings the Blues, Everlast's follow-up album, Eat at Whitey's (2000), failed commercially at first in the United States. However, it was eventually certified gold. The album was also embraced critically, especially by Rolling Stone which reviewed the album between "good" and "great" and focused on it as that month's most important release.

Lyrical war

In 2000, a feud erupted between Everlast and Eminem. Eminem felt insulted by "Cock my hammer, spit a Comet like Haley. I'll buck a 380 on ones who act Shady" from Everlast's verse from the Dilated Peoples all star track "Ear Drums Pop (Remix)". Eminem believed it was a reference to his daughter. Eminem then in turn dissed Everlast several times in public and on the song "I Remember (Dedication To Whitey Ford)", mocking Everlast's rap/rock style, released as a b-side to the D12 12" vinyl single "Shit On You". Everlast then recorded the track "Whitey's Revenge" and released it on his official website. The track contained the lyric "Better run and check your kid for your DNA", again referring to Eminem's daughter, Hailie Jade Mathers. Eminem responded with the help of his group D12 on the track "Quitter", in which he took shots at Everlast and threatened to kill him if he ever mentioned Hailie's name again. The 2nd half of the track uses the beat to 2Pac's Hit Em Up, a diss song aimed at The Notorious B.I.G.. Everlast later stated in various interviews that he felt everything had been said and he would now refrain from further responses.

Island/Def Jam intermezzo

After the sale of the Tommy Boy Records' catalog of master tapes to Warner Bros. Records and its metamorphosis to a dance music label, Everlast was without a label, but in 2003 he signed with Island/Def Jam. His fourth solo album, White Trash Beautiful (2004), was subsequently released after almost a four-year hiatus. The album, which had an almost country-esque feel, received mixed reviews and was a commercial failure. Eventually Everlast was released from his contract.

Unsigned

In early 2006, Everlast teamed up with his former House of Pain mates DJ Lethal and Danny Boy to join the hip-hop group La Coka Nostra. The group's debut album is scheduled for a Fall 2008 release. In 2007, Everlast was chosen to do the theme song for the TV show Saving Grace. The song plays during the show's main title sequence, and was released to digital outlets only.

Love, War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford

Everlast's 5th solo album, "Love, War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford", was released on September 23rd, 2008 on his own record label Martyr Inc, with distribution by Hickory Records/Sony-ATV Publishing. A first single and video, "Letter Home From The Garden Of Stone", was available for free download from martyr-inc.com in December 2007. The second single, a cover of "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash, was released to download on August 19th.

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