Percy Lee Chapman (born August 13, 1971), known by his stage nameTragedy Khadafi (formerlyIntelligent Hoodlum), is an American rapper and record producer. Chapman hails from theQueensbridge Housing Projects inQueens, New York City,[2] and helped spawn other hip hop artists such asMobb Deep,Capone-N-Noreaga,Nas.[citation needed] He is documented to be the first to use the phrase "illmatic" in 1988 on a record called "The Rebel", from theMarley Marl albumIn Control, Volume 1, which was an inspiration and influence on fellow New York rapper Nas.[3]
Khadafi began his career as one half of the duo Super Kids, along withQueensbridge producer DJ Hot Day. This output caught the attention ofMarley Marl, who in 1986 produced the duo's single "The Tragedy (Don't Do It)", and "Stunt of the Block".[4][5] Chapman was then made a junior member of theJuice Crew[2][6] alongside artists such asBig Daddy Kane,Kool G Rap, andMC Shan. In 1987, he appeared asMC Percy on theB side of the 12" "Juice Crew All Stars"[7] and on the last Super Kids single, "Hot Day Master Mix" appearing on tracks "Hip Hop Kids Live At U.S.A" and "Go Queensbridge".[8] After a conviction that year (he was only 16 years old) forrobbery charges followed by serving time in theElmira Correctional Facility.[9] In 1988, he appeared alongside fellow Juice Crew members on the Marley Marl compilation albumIn Control Vol.1, on the solo tracks "The Rebel" and "Live Motivator".[10] While in prison, Chapman became aFive Percenter and began working under the alias "Intelligent Hoodlum",[6] and released the self-titled albumIntelligent Hoodlum onA&M Records. The album was produced by Marley Marl (with co-production byLarge Professor) and contained the singles "Back to Reality", "Black and Proud," and "Arrest the President".[11][12]
Chapman continued to record throughout the remainder of the 1990s releasing a follow-up Intelligent Hoodlum album titledTragedy – Saga of a Hoodlum for A&M Records in 1993.[13] The album spawned two singles "Street Life/Mad Brothers Know his Name" and "Grand Groove/Get Large".[12] One of his last recordings as Intelligent Hoodlum was the title cut for the motion picture soundtrack ofPosse, a Hollywood Western that told the story of an African-American gunslinger posse. This song marked the end of Chapman's overt focus onConscious hip hop, Black history and political commentary in his verses. Working withCapone,Noreaga andMobb Deep, recording "L.A L.A" a response toTha Dogg Pound's "New York, New York", Intelligent Hoodlum then began working under the name Tragedy Khadafi in 1997 and created a group called "CNN" and ended up getting them signed to Penalty Records .[6] He also executive produced the groupCapone-N-Noreaga's debut album,The War Report, on which he appeared more on the album than Capone. When the latter returned to prison, Noreaga severed ties with Tragedy. In 1998, Khadafi formed the group Iron Sheiks along with his lifelong friend, Michael Butler a.k.a. Imam T.H.U.G., who was also from Queensbridge, releasing anEP, which contained the underground classic "True Confessions".[citation needed]
Khadafi's third album,Against All Odds, was scheduled for release in 1999, but conflict with his label stalled the release, finally being released in 2001, which was also the first appearance of emcee HeadRush Napoleon, who continued to work with Khadafi on future recordings. On the album, Khadafidissed Noreaga and accused him of stealing his rhyming style on tracks like "Crime Nationalist" or "Blood Type".[6] Noreaga kept the animosity going with his track "Halfway Thugs Pt. II."[6] This was followed byStill Reportin'... in 2003. In 2005, he releasedThug Matrix independently and also released an album as a member of the groupBlack Market Militia. Khadafi's latest releases,Blood Ballads andThug Matrix 2, were both released in 2006.[citation needed]
He also starred in a documentary known asTragedy: The Story of Queensbridge about his life and his struggles, growing up, his being a junior member of theJuice Crew, the numerous times he was incarcerated, and the toll a hard life has on a poor African-American child growing up without a father and with a mother addicted toheroin.[14]
On December 27, 2007, Khadafi was convicted of sellingnarcotics and sentenced to a maximum of four years in prison.[15] Although originally scheduled to be released on January 21, 2011, Tragedy was granted early parole, and released on June 23, 2010.[16][17]
In aReddit "Ask Me Anything" session in 2014, Tragedy Khadafi claimed he was "hurt" by theassassination of Muammar Gaddafi and calling it "an embarrassing blotch on America's history."[18]
In 2021, Tragedy reunited withN.O.R.E on the track "We Still Here" off hisHidden Files album.[19] The project also featuredRaekwon andPlanet Asia.
Additionally, Tragedy Khadafi has made a variety ofguest appearances on other rap artists’ projects, especially in the 25 years sinceThe War Report. In 2013, Canadian producerMarco Polo, known for his extensive work withPharoahe Monch andMasta Ace, invited Khadafi to appear on “Astonishing”, aposse cut that also featured Large Professor,O.C., andInspectah Deck. 2017 saw him appear on “I Cried”, a song by a group of producers known as the Recordkingz. Further, WiseRap, Zicc, DJ Midnite, and E-Ratic Beats, who are allBritish hip hop artists, featured him on their collaborative song “In Too Deep (London 2 Queens)” in 2021.
In the 2020s, Khadafi made guest appearances on two songs byCanadian hip hop artists. In December 2021, he appeared on “Gates of Abbadon” by theGreek Orthodox Christian artist Nec Nymbl. Then, in July 2022, he appeared withGuilty Simpson,Thirstin Howl III, Bonshah, Fraction, and Ultra Magnus on “We Gon’ Stomp Shit”, aposse cut by aBahá’í rapper fromToronto named The Mighty Rhino.
As of May 2023, Khadafi’s most recent guest appearances are on “Leviathan” and “Casino”, two songs fromBilly, the most recent solo album by theJewish rapperIll Bill ofNon Phixion andLa Coka Nostra, who is fromCanarsie.
2016: "New York Gangsters" (from the 5 boroughs Project Official Track)
2017: “I Cried” (with the Recordkingz)
2017: "High Quota" (from the GQ Nothin Pretty albumAnimation LP)
2017: "Back to Basics" (from the DJ Rybe albumChannel Zero)
2017: "Hit" (from the Ju Muny albumUnorthodox)
2017: "Omnipotent" (from the Endemic Emerald & Skanks the Rap Martyr albumRapsploitation)
2019: "TNT" (Prod. By DJ Doom from Truth album, The Fight for Survival)
2019: "TNT" (REMIX) (Prod. By Large Professor from Truth album, The Fight for Survival)
2019 "Extreme Measures" (Prod. By PF Cuttin feat. Royal Flush from Truth album, The Fight for Survival)
2021: "Real Headz" (from the collaborative singleReal Headz with Sauveur Eloheem)
2021: “In Too Deep (London 2 Queens)” with WiseRap, Zico, DJ Midnite, and E-Ratic Beats
2021: “Gates of Abbadon” (with Nec Nymbl)
2022: "Entourage" feat. Ras Kass, Treach, Large Professor, Joe Fatal from Truth album, For All Intents and Purposes (Prod. By Da Beatminerz)
2022: “We Gon’ Stomp Shit” (also featuringGuilty Simpson,Thirstin Howl III, Bonshah, Fraction, and Ultra Magnus, from The Mighty Rhino’s albumTo Relieve The Sorrow-Laden Heart)
2023: "Leviathan" (withIll Bill, Produced by Brenx Beats, from theIll Bill albumBilly)
