Daudi Abe, Author at • Page 3 of 4

Academic Historian

Daudi Abe is a professor, writer, and historian who has delivered curriculum covering topics such as culture, race, gender, education, hip-hop, and sports spanning four decades. He has taught all levels from kindergarten to graduate school, serving the last twenty years as an instructor and course developer at Seattle Central College.

Dr. Abe is Faculty Coordinator for the Academy for Rising Educators at SCC as well as History of Race & Policing curriculum consultant at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. His latest book, Emerald Street: A History of Hip-Hop in Seattle, was published in 2020 by University of Washington Press.

LL Cool J [James Todd Smith] (1968- )

LL Cool J, rapper and actor, was born James Todd Smith, the only child of James and Ondrea Smith on January 14, 1968 in St. Albans, Queens, New York City, New York. Early in James’ life, the relationship between his mother and father turned violent … Read MoreLL Cool J [James Todd Smith] (1968- )

KRS-One/Lawrence Kris Parker (1965- )

KRS-One, MC (Master of Ceremonies) producer, philosopher, and activist was born on August 20, 1965 to Jacqueline Jones and Sheffield Brown in South Bronx, New York City, New York. KRS’s mother was a secretary while his father, who worked as a handyman, was deported to … Read MoreKRS-One/Lawrence Kris Parker (1965- )

Eric Lynn “Eazy-E” Wright (1963-1995)

Eazy-E, pioneering West Coast rapper, producer and record label executive, was born Eric Lynn Wright to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California on September 3, 1963. His mother was a school administrator while his father worked at the post office. Eazy dropped out of … Read MoreEric Lynn “Eazy-E” Wright (1963-1995)

Kanye West/Kanye Omari West (1977- )

Kanye West, rapper, singer, producer, and entrepreneur was born in Atlanta, Georgia on June 8, 1977 to Donda and Ray West. Donda was an English professor, and Ray, a former Black Panther, was an award winning photojournalist. West’s parents divorced when he was three, and … Read MoreKanye West/Kanye Omari West (1977- )

Calvin Cordozar “Snoop Lion/Snoop Doggy Dogg” Broadus (1971- )

Snoop Lion, also known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, was born Calvin Cordozar Broadus to Beverly Tate and Vernell Varnado in Los Angeles, California on October 21, 1971. Named for his adoptive stepfather Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Sr., Snoop was nicknamed “Snoopy” as a child by his … Read MoreCalvin Cordozar “Snoop Lion/Snoop Doggy Dogg” Broadus (1971- )

Dr. Dre/Andre Romelle Young (1965- )

Dr. Dre, pioneering West Coast hip-hop producer, rapper and entrepreneur was born Andre Romelle Young in Compton, California on February 18, 1965. His father Theodore and his mother Verna were both singers and members of bands before and after Dre was born. His parents soon … Read MoreDr. Dre/Andre Romelle Young (1965- )

O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson (1969- )

Groundbreaking West Coast “gangsta” rapper, actor, screenwriter, executive producer and director Ice Cube was born O’Shea Jackson on June 15, 1969, to Doris and Hosea Jackson in Los Angeles, California. The Jacksons were a working class family; Hosea was a groundskeeper at UCLA, and Doris worked … Read MoreO’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson (1969- )

Curtis James (“50 Cent”) Jackson III (1975- )

50 Cent, rapper, actor, and entrepreneur was born Curtis James Jackson III in Queens, New York to Sabrina Jackson on July 6, 1975. His mother, who had given birth when she was 15 years old, raised him by herself while dealing cocaine. She died when … Read MoreCurtis James (“50 Cent”) Jackson III (1975- )

Anthony “Sir Mix-A-Lot” Ray (1963- )

Sir Mix-A-Lot, pioneering Pacific Northwest rapper and producer, was born Anthony Ray in Seattle, Washington on August 12, 1963. He grew up in Seattle’s Central District and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1981. Early on, Mix-A-Lot had an ear and a passion for music. … Read MoreAnthony “Sir Mix-A-Lot” Ray (1963- )

Berry Lawson Case (1938)

On March 26, 1938, Berry Lawson, a twenty-seven-year-old African American waiter staying at the Mt. Fuji Hotel located on Yesler Way in downtown Seattle, Washington, was reportedly asleep in a chair in the hotel lobby. He was spotted by three Seattle Police Department officers, who … Read MoreBerry Lawson Case (1938)