{{Short description|American rapper (born 1973)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Craig G | image = Craig G Central Park 2013 2013-08-17 10-23.jpg | image_size = | caption = Craig G performing in 2013 | birth_name = Craig Curry | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|03|24}} | origin = [[Queens]], [[New York City]], U.S. | genre = [[Hip-hop]] | occupation = | years_active = 1985–present | label = {{hlist|[[Cold Chillin' Records|Cold Chillin']]|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]|D&D|Soulspazm}} | past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Juice Crew]]}} | website = }}
'''Craig Curry''' (born March 24, 1973),<ref name="Hess">Hess, Mickey (2009) ''Hip Hop in America: a Regional Guide: Volume 1 - East Coast and West Coast'', Greenwood Publishing Group, {{ISBN|978-0-313-34323-0}}, p. 55</ref><ref name="Bry">Bry, David (2001) "Something in the Water", ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'', March 2001, p. 80</ref> better known by his stage name '''Craig G''', is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known as one of the members of [[hip-hop]] producer [[Marley Marl]]'s [[Cold Chillin' Records]] group [[Juice Crew]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphop.sh/juice|title=Juice Crew|publisher=hiphop.sh|accessdate=12 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728100004/http://hiphop.sh/juice|archive-date=28 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Birchmeier">Birchmeier, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/craig-g-p14978/biography Craig G Biography]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2011-01-27</ref>
He recorded the single "Shout Rap" with Marley Marl in 1985 at 12 years old and in 1988 recorded "[[The Symphony (song)|The Symphony]]" with Juice Crew described by [[Allmusic]] as "a landmark moment in the evolution of hardcore rap".<ref name="Birchmeier" /> He was then signed by [[Atlantic Records]] who released two albums, in 1989 and 1991, with little promotion<ref name="Birchmeier" /> After his experience with Atlantic his career went quiet for much of the 1990s although later in the decade he regained popularity with underground rap fans. He released another album in 2003 on [[D&D Studios|D&D Records]] ''[[This Is Now!!!]]'' featuring collaborations with [[Marley Marl]], [[DJ Premier]] and [[Da Beatminerz]].<ref name="Birchmeier" /><ref name="Bush">Bush, John "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/this-is-now-r640884/review ''This Is Now'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2011-01-27</ref>
== Career == Craig G was a leading [[freestyle rap|freestyle]] [[battle rap]]per memorably battling [[Supernatural (rapper)|Supernatural]] on several occasions,<ref name="DiP">DiPasquale, Cara & Karnopp, Kris (2003) "Craig G's battle for relevance", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', May 20, 2003, p. 29</ref> and in the early 2000s wrote and coordinated the battle verses used by [[Eminem]] and his opponents in the film ''[[8 Mile (film)|8 Mile]]''. The next year he wrote the character Dangerous' lyrics in [[50 Cent]]'s feature film ''[[Get Rich or Die Tryin' (film)|Get Rich or Die Tryin']]''.<ref name="Hall">Hall, Rashaun (2003) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=Xg4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22craig+g%22+%228+mile%22&pg=PA23 Words & Deeds: Now Is the Time]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', June 7, 2003, p. 23, retrieved 2011-01-27</ref> His battle with fellow battle rapper [[Supernatural (rapper)|Supernatural]] was a subject of the 2005 documentary ''[[Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme]]''.<ref>''[[Freestyle:The Art of Rhyme]]'' (2005)</ref>
In 2008, he was part of a reunited Juice Crew performing at the A3C Hip Hop Festival in [[Atlanta]].<ref name="HH">"[http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/4/17461/1/ Juice Crew Reunites at the A3C Hip Hop Festival]", Hip-Hop Elements, March 10, 2008, retrieved 2011-01-27</ref>
In 2012 he released his fourth solo album ''Ramblings Of An Angry Old Man''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.okayplayer.com/reviews/craig-g.html#.UnLfUnm9Kc0|title=Craig G - Okayplayer|date=2013-01-07|work=[[Okayplayer]]|access-date=2017-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19683/title.craig-g-ramblings-of-an-angry-old-man-tracklist-release-date Craig G "Ramblings Of An Angry Old Man" Tracklist & Release Date] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828030853/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19683/title.craig-g-ramblings-of-an-angry-old-man-tracklist-release-date/ |date=2012-08-28 }}, HipHopDX, August 27, 2012, Retrieved on 2012-09-12.</ref> He was recording an as yet to be titled E.P. With Da Beatminerz<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/m/index.php?s=news&id=24001|title=Craig G & Da Beatminerz To Release A Collaborative EP|work=[[HipHopDX]]|access-date=2017-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Craig G dropped his fifth LP titled ''I Rap & Go Home'' on June 3, 2016. He recently leaked music from the project online<ref>{{Citation|title=Its My Turn|url=https://soundcloud.com/craig-g-54485414/its-my-turn-1|language=en|accessdate=2017-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.audiomack.com/song/soulspazm/make-your-arrangements|title=Moving Music Forward {{!}} Audiomack|website=www.audiomack.com|access-date=2017-11-13}}</ref> Craig G new project the fragile ego will release September 4, 2020 Craig G will release a new album titled “The World Is Cooked” November 1st 2024
==Discography== ===Albums=== ====Studio albums==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:23em;" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US<br />R&B<br />/HH]]<br /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/craig-g/chart-history/blp/|title=Craig G Chart History|work=[[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]]|access-date=2020-12-02}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''[[The Kingpin (album)|The Kingpin]]'' | * Released: October 24, 1989 * Label: [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] * Formats: [[Compact Disc|CD]], [[LP record|LP]], [[Compact Cassette|cassette]], [[Music download|digital download]] | — |- ! scope="row" | ''[[Now, That's More Like It]]'' | * Released: March 19, 1991 * Label: Atlantic * Format: CD, cassette, digital download | 97 |- ! scope="row" | <!--new line needed to workaround table rendering problem--> ''[[This Is Now!!!]]'' | * Released: May 20, 2003 * Label: [[D&D Studios|D&D Records]] * Format: CD, LP, digital download | 99 |- ! scope="row" | ''Ramblings of an Angry Old Man'' | * Released: October 30, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ramblings-of-an-angry-old-man-mw0002418499|title=Ramblings of an Angry Old Man - Craig G - Release Info|website=AllMusic}}</ref> * Label: Soulspazm * Format: CD, LP, digital download | |- ! scope="row" | ''I Rap and Go Home'' | * Released: June 3, 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-rap-go-home-mw0003026255|title=I Rap & Go Home - Craig G - Release Info|website=AllMusic}}</ref> * Label: Soulspazm * Format: LP, digital download | — |- ! scope="row" | ''Lost Chronicles''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with The Grinda & T-Leada)</span> | * Released: August 8, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ru/album/lost-chronicles/1475615652?l=en|title=Lost Chronicles - Tha Grinda, Craig G & T-Leada - Release Info|website=AllMusic}}</ref> * Label: D3G Ent. * Format: LP, digital download | — |- ! scope="row" | ''Can't Stop the Funk Volume 1''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with KeemBeats)</span> | * Released: December 27, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/cl/album/cant-stop-the-funk-volume-1/1491076781|title=Can't Stop the Funk Volume 1 - KeemBeats & Craig G - Release Info|website=AllMusic}}</ref> * Label: Boogie Shack Music Group. * Format: Digital download | — |- ! scope="row" | ''The World Is Cooked''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Featuring [[Chuck D]], [[KRS-One]], [[B-Real]], [[DV Alias Khrist]], [[Chubb Rock]] & Freeway)</span> | * Released: November 1, 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-world-is-cooked/1767640993|title=The World Is Cooked - Release Info|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Label: [[Soulspazm]] * Format: Digital download * Producer: The Manorail * Mix Engineer: Kjetil "Harlekin" Hatletveit * Mastering Engineer: [[Mat Leffler-Schulman]] | — |- | colspan="3" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}
====Mixtapes==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of mixtapes, with year released ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Mixtape details |- ! scope="row"| ''This Is Now! Official Bootleg Mixtape''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with [[DJ Evil Dee]])</span> | * Released: 2003<ref>{{cite AV media notes | date=2003 | title=This Is Now!!! Official Bootleg Mixtape | type=track listing | publisher=MasterTapes | id=}}</ref> * Label: MasterTapes |- |}
==== Group albums ==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of group albums ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''Climate Control''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(as part of Silent Majority)</span> | * Released: June 27, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/climate-control-mw0000576776|title=Climate Control - Silent Majority - Release Info|website=AllMusic}}</ref> * Label: CurryPack Records * Format: CD |- |}
==== Collaborative albums ==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of collaborative albums ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''Operation Take Hip Hop Back''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with [[Marley Marl]])</span> | * Released: June 17, 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/operation-take-back-hip-hop-mw0000790308|title= Operation Take Hip Hop Back - Craig G - Release Info|website=AllMusic}}</ref> * Label: Good Hands/Traffic Entertainment Group * Format: CD, LP, digital download |- |}
===EPs=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of extended plays ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:11em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:16em;" | Details |- ! scope="row" | ''The Legacy''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with DJ Koss)</span> | * Released: January 28, 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/vn/album/the-legacy/593863044|title=The Legacy - Craig G & Koss - Release Info|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Label: Reaaal Talk Records * Formats: LP, digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''The WZA Presents OG'S: Original Grown Shit''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with The WZA & Egreen)</span> | * Released: March 29, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/mx/album/the-wza-presents-ogs-original-grown-s-t/1456100390|title=The WZA Presents OG'S: Original Grown Shit - Egreen, Craig G & The WZA - Release Info|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Label: Skill To Deal Records * Formatos: LP, digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''Striketeam''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with [[Mr. Cheeks]])</span> | * Released: May 10, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/cl/album/striketeam-ep/1481023679|title=Striketeam - EP - Mr. Cheeks & Craig G - Release Info|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Label: WunderTwinz * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''Limelight'' | * Released: July 30, 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/mx/album/limelight-ep/1525784087|title=Limelight - EP - Craig G - Release Info|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Label: Soulspazm * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''The Fragile Ego'' | * Released: September 4, 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/vn/album/the-fragile-ego/1525787073|title=The Fragile Ego - Craig G - Release Info|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Label: Soulspazm * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''The World According to You''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with Shawneci Icecold)</span> | * Released: December 30, 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/vn/album/the-pen-is-mightier/1544146101|title=The World According to You - EP - Shawneci Icecold & Craig G - Release Info|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Label: Zachary Raskin * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''The Pen Is Mightier''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with BigBob)</span> | * Released: January 18, 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/vn/album/the-pen-is-mightier/1544146101|title=The Pen Is Mightier - Craig G and BigBob - Release Info|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Label: Elite Sound International * Formats: CD, digital download |- ! scope="row" | ''The Assignment''<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with Nivek Bogeezi & Tone Spliff)</span> | * Released: April 16, 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/vn/album/the-assignment/1561809990|title=The Assignment - Nivek Bogeezi, Craig G & Tone Spliff - Release Info|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Label: Mind Write Music * Formats: CD, digital download |- |}
===Singles=== ====As lead artist==== <!-- ALL SINGLES MUST BE LISTED HERE. ANY SINGLE RELEASED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO RADIO IS CLASSIFIED AS A SINGLE. PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE -->
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of singles, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Hot Rap Songs|US <br />Rap]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/craig-g/chart-history/RAP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204071244/https://www.billboard.com/music/Craig-G/chart-history/RAP |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2020 |title=Craig G - US Hot Rap Songs |publisher=billboard.com |access-date=January 4, 2022}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Transformer"{{efn|name=M.C.|Published as "M.C. Craig "G""}}<ref>{{cite AV media notes | date=1985 | title=Transformer | type=track listing | publisher=Pop Art Records | id=PA-8501}}</ref> | rowspan="2"| 1985 |align="center"| — |''[[Street Sounds Electro 10]]'' |- ! scope="row"| "Shout"{{efn|name=M.C.}}<ref>{{cite AV media notes | date=1985 | title=Shout | type=track listing | publisher=Pop Art Records | id=PA-1412}}</ref> |align="center"| — | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Turn This House Into a Home"<ref>{{cite AV media notes | date=1989 | title=Turn This House Into A Home | type=track listing | publisher=[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] | id=0-86303}}</ref> | 1989 |align="center"| — | rowspan="2"| ''The Kingpin'' |- ! scope="row"| "Shootin' The Gift"<ref>{{cite AV media notes | date=1990 | title=Shootin' The Gift | type=track listing | publisher=[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] | id=0-86237}}</ref> | 1990 |align="center"| — |- ! scope="row"| "[[U-R Not The 1]]" | 1991 |align="center"| 16 | ''Now, That's More Like It'' |- ! scope="row"| "Sing-A-Long/Welcome 2 The Game"<ref>{{cite AV media notes | date=1998 | title=Sing-A-Long/Welcome 2 The Game | type=track listing | publisher=Sure Shot Recordings | id=SSR-0002}}</ref> | 1998 |align="center"| — | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Cash Money"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with Domination Statuz)</span><ref>{{cite AV media notes | date=1999 | title=Cash Money/Murder He Wrote | type=track listing | publisher=Echo International | id=Echo-2325}}</ref> | rowspan="2"| 1999 |align="center"| — | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Depopulator/The Freestyle"<ref>{{cite AV media notes | date=1999 | title=Depopulator/The Freestyle | type=track listing | publisher=Menace Recordings Ltd. | id=MXR-52800}}</ref> |align="center"| — | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Say What You Want/The Executioner Song"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/say-what-ya-want-the-executioner-song-mr0001264494|title=Craig G - Say What Ya Want/The Executioner Song (12 inch Vinyl Single - D&D #641231)|website=AllMusic}}</ref> | 2002 |align="center"| — | rowspan="3"| ''This Is Now!!!'' |- ! scope="row"| "Let's Get Up"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with Marley Marl)</span><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/lets-get-up-mr0001683273|title=Craig G - Let's Get Up (12 inch Vinyl Single - D&D #DAD 6412521)|website=AllMusic}}</ref> | rowspan="2"| 2003 |align="center"| — |- ! scope="row"| "Stomped/Make You Say Yes"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/stomped-make-you-say-yes-mr0001364155|title=Craig G - Stomped/Make You Say Yes (12 inch Vinyl Single - D&D #DAD 6412571)|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |align="center"| — |- ! scope="row"| "Made the Change/Deep Down"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/made-the-change-deep-down-mr0001485618|title=Craig G - Made the Change/Deep Down (12 inch Vinyl Single - Traffic Entertainment Group #1954)|website=AllMusic}}</ref> | 2008 |align="center"| — | ''Operation Take Hip Hop Back'' |- | colspan="4" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}
===Guest appearances=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !Year !Song !Featured artist(s) !Album |- | rowspan="3" |1988 |"Droppin' Science" |[[Marley Marl]] | rowspan="3" |''[[In Control, Volume 1]]'' |- |"[[The Symphony (song)|The Symphony]]" |Marley Marl, [[Masta Ace]], [[Kool G Rap]], [[Big Daddy Kane]] |- |"Duck Alert" |Marley Marl |- |1989 |"Gotta Get Paid" |[[Roxanne Shanté]] |[[Bad Sister (album)|''Bad Sister'']] |- |1991 |"The Symphony Pt. 2"<ref>{{Cite web |title=genius |url=https://genius.com/Marley-marl-the-symphony-part-ii-lyrics}}</ref> |Marley Marl, Daddy Shane, [[Masta Ace]], [[Kool G Rap]], [[Big Daddy Kane]] |''[[In Control Volume II (For Your Steering Pleasure)]]'' |- | rowspan="2" |1994 |"Just When You Thought It Was Over (Intro)" | rowspan="2" |[[Gravediggaz]], [[Biz Markie]], Brother Rich, King Ice, I-Roc, Don McKenzie, Ethan Ryman, Michael Preston, Tim Wright, Dave Warner, Stephanie Jackson, Chino Q, Mike G, Joyce, Robert Robinson, Mr. Sime | rowspan="2" |''[[6 Feet Deep]]'' |- |"Rest In Peace (Outro)" |- |1996 |"The Cypher: Part 3" |[[Frankie Cutlass]], Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Roxanne Shanté |''Politics & Bullshit'' |- |1998 |"Intense" |[[Tommy Tee]] |''Bonds, Beats & Beliefs'' |- | rowspan="2" |2000 |"That's My World"<ref>{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/321508165}}</ref> |The Creators |''The Weight'' |- |"We Break Bread" |Chaos, Littles, Lord Black |''[[Nas & Ill Will Records Presents QB's Finest]]'' |- |2001 |"Keep Doing U"<ref>{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/323132099}}</ref> |Voice |Lake Ent. Presents: 41st Side |- | rowspan="3" |2007 |"Offensive Lineup" |[[Snowgoons]] |''German Lugers'' |- |"Talk Cheap" |Tommy Tee |''No Studio No Time'' |- |"Brother On The Run" |[[O.S.T.R.]] |''[[HollyŁódź]]'' |- | rowspan="2" |2009 |"Lyrics?" |[[Sadat X]] | rowspan="2" |''[[Brand New Bein']]'' |- |"Smallest Violin" |Sadat X, Jak D |- |2010 |"Daad bij het Woord / The Power of Speech" |[[Jerome XL]], Kayaman |''De Laatste Dag'' |- |2011 |"Mann For Min Hatt" |[[Gatas Parlament]] |''Dette Forandrer Alt'' |- | rowspan="2" |2015 |"Ain't Nothing Funny" |Sadat X, [[Skyzoo]] |''Never Left'' |- |"The Kings Sent For Me (Samurydas Remix)" |[[Canibus]], [[Bronze Nazareth]], [[Kurupt]], [[Raekwon]] |[[Time Flys, Life Dies... Phoenix Rise|''Time Flys, Life Dies...Phoenix Rise'']] |- |2016 |"MC Voltron" |[[Kool Keith]] |''[[Feature Magnetic]]'' |- |2017 |"Real NY City" |Neek the Exotic |''The Neek The Exotic Experience'' |- |2018 |”Duże Miasto”
|[[Gorzki ft.Stanislaw Soyka, Jerome XL, Teka]] |''[[Kontrawersja]]'' |- |2022 |"Summertime" | rowspan="2" |Specifik |''The Triple3 Effect'' |- |2022 |"Get Em" |''Get Em 7"'' |- |2024 |"Take Command" |Pushing Buttons |''Full Level'' |}
==References== ===Notes=== {{notelist}}
===Citations=== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|1324891}} * {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/44392-Craig-G|title=Craig G|website=at [[Discogs]]|language=en}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Craig G}} [[Category:1973 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Rappers from Queens, New York]] [[Category:20th-century American male rappers]] [[Category:20th-century American rappers]] [[Category:21st-century American male rappers]] [[Category:21st-century American rappers]] [[Category:21st-century African-American rappers]] [[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]] [[Category:Juice Crew members]] [[Category:American battle rappers]] [[Category:21st-century African-American male rappers]]