Infinite (rapper)
Infinite | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Desmond Francis |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Canadian hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | Lockdown Entertainment |
Desmond Francis, better known by his stage name Infinite, is a Canadian rapper, best known for his contributions to the Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike soundtrack, and as a member of hip hop group Ghetto Concept.
Raised in the Rexdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Infinite is the youngest of three brothers.[1][2] He began his career as a DJ for Ghetto Concept, debuting as a rapper on the group's 1994 single "E-Z on tha Motion", which won a Juno Award for Best Rap Recording.[2][3] The music video for "E-Z on tha Motion" aired on BET and Video Music Box, gaining the group an American audience.[2] The following year, one of his brothers were murdered, which led to Infinite leaving the group at the height of their success.[1][4] In 1996, Ghetto Concept released the single "Much Love", which was Infinite's final appearance with the group.[5][6]
In 1997, Infinite began a solo career and started a record label, Lockdown Entertainment, with his brother Cain.[5] That year, he released his first single "Gotta Get Mine", which earned him a second Juno Award nomination for Best Rap Recording.[3] The single appeared on his 360° EP, released in 1998.[7] The next year, he released his second single "Take a Look"; the music video won two MuchMusic Video Awards for Best Rap Video and Best Independent Video.[8]
In 1999, Infinite was chosen by Capcom to contribute to the soundtrack for the video game Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, performing voiceovers, as well as three songs.[9][10]
Infinite had a minor acting role in the 2004 biopic Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story.[1][8] A year later, Maestro Fresh Wes and Infinite released a hip-hop version of Gowan's hit song "A Criminal Mind".[11]
In 2018, he released the singles "Rida" and "Untold".[1]
Discography[edit]
- 360° (1998)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Infinite Talks With Worldwide Entertainment TV About Toronto Hip Hop History". Worldwide Entertainment TV. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ a b c "1994: The Year the T-Dot Broke". Noisey. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "Junos – Past Nominees + Winners". Juno Awards. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "CBC Race Ruckus". NOW. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Past, Present And The Future Of Ghetto Concept". Peace Magazine. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ "Ghetto Concept – Much Luv (feat. Infinite) – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "Infinite – 360 Degrees [feat. Jully Black] [Extended Mix] – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "Interview: Toronto's Infinite". Waveland. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "The Long, Strange History of Street Fighter and Hip-Hop". Vice. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "The Making of Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike". shmuplations.com. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "Maestro Fresh Wes". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 30, 2021.