{{Short description|American rapper (born 1977)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Kutt Calhoun | image = Kutt Calhoun 2014.jpg | caption = Calhoun in 2014 | birth_name = Melvin Lewis Calhoun Jr. | alias = Cutt Dawg, Bloody Kutty Cal, Bloody Kutty | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|1|1}} | birth_place = Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | genre = Midwestern hip-hop | occupations = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}} | years_active = 1993–present | label = {{hlist|Black Gold Entertainment|EMPIRE|Strange}} | website = [http://therealkuttcalhoun.com/ TheRealKuttCalhoun.com] }}
'''Melvin Lewis Calhoun Jr.''' (born January 1, 1977), better known by his stage name '''Kutt Calhoun''', is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri.<ref name="croadto"/> He began his career in the late 1990s as part of the city's underground rap scene,<ref name="kbirchmeier"/> and signed with fellow Missouri-based rapper Tech N9ne's Strange Music as the label's first artist in 2004.<ref name="nstepsout"/> Calhoun's debut studio album, ''B.L.E.V.E.'' (2004),<ref name="bleveitunes"/> and its follow-up, ''Feature Presentation'' (2008), were both met with critical praise; the latter debuted at number 60 on the ''Billboard'' Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.<ref name="R&B/Hip-HopChart"/> Calhoun's third album, ''Raw and Un-Kutt'' (2010), entered the ''Billboard'' 200 and peaked at number 19 on the Top Heatseekers chart.<ref name="Billboard"/>
Between 2011 and 2012, he released two extended plays (EPs): ''Red-Headed Stepchild'' and ''Kelvin''.<ref name="BILLBOARDcalhoun"/> Calhoun's fourth studio album, ''Black Gold'' (2013),<ref name="jakelabel"/> debuted atop the Top Heatseekers chart and received continued critical praise.<ref name=calhournbill/><ref name="hiphopdxending"/><ref name="allmusic1"/><ref name="HipHopDX"/><ref name="ofacebookprofile"/><ref name="nstepsout"/> He parted ways with Strange Music in 2014 and subsequently founded the record label Black Gold Entertainment.<ref name="balcogold"/> His third EP, ''Kuttin Loose'' (2014), was the first release on the latter imprint.<ref name="dcuttinloose"/>
==Music career== ===Early years and ''B.L.E.V.E.'' (1990s–04)=== {{Main|B.L.E.V.E.}}
Melvin Lewis Calhoun Jr. was born on January 1, 1977, in Kansas City, Missouri,<ref name="ofacebookprofile"/> where he spent his childhood.<ref name="arepreviewblieve"/> By the 1990s he was involved in the underground hardcore rap scene of Kansas City, and he began actively recording in the late 1990s.<ref name="kbirchmeier"/> Rapping professionally since 1998,<ref name="nstepsout"/> that year Calhoun appeared on the album ''Center Piece of the Puzzle'' by Snug Brim, using the alias Cutt Dawg.<ref name="kbirchmeier"/> Afterwards he began working as the hype man of Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne,<ref name="kbirchmeier"/> also helping cofound the Tech N9ne imprint Strange Music in 1999.<ref name="nstepsout"/> Calhoun had several features in 2002 on Tech N9ne's album ''Absolute Power''.<ref name="icalhounallmusicdiscog"/><ref name="hcalhounitunes"/><ref name="gcalhoundiscogs"/>
After being featured as a guest artist on a number of singles,<ref name="kbirchmeier"/><ref name="icalhounallmusicdiscog"/> Kutt would release his debut album, ''B.L.E.V.E.'' (standing for Boiling Liquid Expanding Viscous Explosion),<ref name="ofacebookprofile"/> on August 10, 2004<ref name="bleveitunes"/> through Strange Music.<ref name="blevesamazon"/> The album features several appearances by Tech N9ne, as well as other local rappers such as Krizz Kaliko and Skatterman & Snug Brim.<ref name="bleveallmusic"/> The album made an appearance on Billboard's Top Heatseekers (West North Central) chart.<ref name="topheatnc"/> ''Rap Reviews'' greeted the album positively, writing "Calhoun has represented his hometown [Kansas City] admirably on ''B.L.E.V.E.'' and seems on the verge of blowing up bigtime. All he needs is more exposure, a slightly tighter selection of beats, and one big video on a Viacom owned network."<ref name="arepreviewblieve"/>
===''Feature Presentation'' (2006–07)=== {{Main|Feature Presentation}} thumb|Calhoun in 2008 He self-released his ''Flamez Mixtape'' on {{Start date|2007|9|18}}.<ref name="talksmixtapes"/> Calhoun's second studio album, ''Feature Presentation'', was released through Strange Music on October 7, 2008.<ref name="ecutcalhoun"/> The album saw features from his label mates Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko and Skatterman & Snug Brim once again, and also featured several other local rappers. The album has production from Michael "Seven" Summers, Wyshmaster, Matic Lee and Young Fyre.<ref name="ecutcalhoun"/> The sophomore release reached No. 60 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in its first week of release,<ref name="bilbaordardkutt"/> as well as charting at No. 19 on the Top Heatseekers chart.<ref name="Billboard"/> ''Rap Reviews'' gave the album a positive review and a score of 8/10.<ref name="featurepresentrapreviews"/> A music video was shot for the album's single "Bunk Rock Bitch," and was released on January 15, 2009, with features from Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko.<ref name="bunkrockbitch"/><ref name="Bunk Rock Bitch video on YouTube"/>
===''Raw and Un-Kutt'' and first EPs (2010–12)=== {{Main|Raw and Un-Kutt}}
On May 26, 2010, ''XXL'' premiered the video for Calhoun's new single "Naked (Boom Boom Room)" on their website.<ref name="Harris Publications, Inc"/><ref name="nakedboom"/> Kutt Calhoun released his third album, ''Raw and Un-Kutt'', on June 8, 2010.<ref name="unkutta"/> Singles from the album included "Naked (Boom Boom Room)" and "Get Kutt," with features from Brotha Lynch Hung, E-40, Joe Budden, Tech N9ne, and Too Short among others.<ref name="upforpreorder"/> The album debuted at No. 170 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart in its first week of release.<ref name="200Chart"/> It also reached No. 6 on the Top Heatseekers chart and peaked at No. 15 on the Top Rap Albums chart.<ref name="BILLBOARDcalhoun"/>
Calhoun released his ''Red-Headed Stepchild'' extended play through Strange Music on {{dts|2011|08|07}}.<ref name="CHS"/> The EP reached No. 23 on Heatseekers Albums<ref name="BILLBOARDcalhoun"/> and No. 52 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.<ref name="R&B/Hip-HopChart"/> He released his EP ''Kelvin'' on {{dts|2012|10|02}}, again through Strange Music.<ref name="CHS"/> Charting higher than its predecessor, the EP reached No. 8 on Top Heatseekers, 41 on the Independent Albums chart, 28 on the US R&B chart, and 21 on the Top Rap Albums chart.<ref name="BILLBOARDcalhoun"/>
===''Black Gold'' (2013)=== {{Main|Black Gold (Kutt Calhoun album)}}
Calhoun released his fourth album, ''Black Gold'' on February 26, 2013, as what would be his last release on Strange Music.<ref name="jakelabel"/> The album was supported by two singles: "Self Preservation" and "I Been Dope," and features guest appearances from Krizz Kaliko, Brotha Lynch Hung, Tech N9ne, and Ron Ron, among others.<ref name="blackgoldexplicit"/> The album debuted at number 1 on the US Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and at number 120 on the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref name=calhournbill/><ref name="hiphopdxending"/> with first-week sales of 4,300 copies in the United States.<ref name="hiphopending"/> It also peaked at No. 13 on the Independent Albums chart, among other rankings.<ref name="BILLBOARDcalhoun"/>
Meeting with a largely positive critical response,<ref name="allmusic1"/><ref name="HipHopDX"/> the publication HipHopDX wrote that "''Black Gold'' revels in its ability to highlight the unique approach of Strange Music while still sounding refreshingly conventional. At 35 years young, Kutt Calhoun is picking up traction when other rappers would be given the checkered flag. Underappreciated or not, that’s something that won’t go unnoticed."<ref name="HipHopDX"/> Like HipHopDX, David Jeffries of AllMusic also gave the album three and a half stars out of five, praising Calhoun's sense of humor in the lyrics.<ref name="allmusic1"/>
===Black Gold Ent. and ''Kuttin Loose'' (2014–16)=== {{See also|Kuttin Loose}} {{ external media | float =right | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxnjH7Dqmt8 Kutt Calhoun - "Self Preservation" ft. Krizz Kaliko - VEVO] (February 5, 2013) | video2 =[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRojfyADK6c Kutt Calhoun - "On My Own" ft. Demond Jones] (October 19, 2015) }} Calhoun decided to form his own imprint in 2014, and he split from Strange Music shortly afterwards<ref name="ofacebookprofile"/> on amicable terms.<ref name="nstepsout"/> Calhoun went on to found Black Gold Entertainment, and in July 2015 he announced plans to release an EP under the label titled ''The Kuttin Loose EP''.<ref name="balcogold"/> ''Kuttin Loose'' was released on {{dts|2015|07|10}} through Black Gold Entertainment<ref name="dcuttinloose"/> and distributed through Empire Distribution.<ref name="empirekutt"/> It peaked at No. 16 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, and No. 41 on the Top Rap Albums chart.<ref name="BILLBOARDcalhoun"/> HipHopDX gave ''Kuttin Loose'' a score of 3.5/5 and a positive review.<ref name="dcuttinloose"/> Wrote MetroActive, on "the ''Kuttin Loose'' EP, he demonstrates a devastating flow, razor sharp wit and some downright nasty Dirty South production."<ref name="nstepsout"/> Among other themes, album's single "Handz Up (Shut Shit Down)" explicitly addressed police brutality, with Kutt directing the music video himself.<ref name="nstepsout"/> By the end of 2015, Calhoun had embarked on his On My Own Tour.<ref name="onmyowntour"/> On June 3, 2016, Calhoun collabed in his single called "ALIVE" with The Jokerr.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/alive-feat-the-jokerr-single/1110472568|title = Alive (Feat. The Jokerr) - Single by Kutt Calhoun| website=iTunes |date = 3 June 2016}}</ref> On July 13, 2016, Calhoun collabed in his single called "Never Know" with Automatic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/never-know-feat-automatic-single/1136476232|title = Never Know (Feat. Automatic) - Single by Kutt Calhoun| website=iTunes |date = 15 July 2016}}</ref>
==Discography== {{Main|Kutt Calhoun discography}} '''Studio albums''' * ''B.L.E.V.E.'' (2004) * ''Feature Presentation'' (2008) * ''Raw and Un-Kutt'' (2010) * ''Black Gold'' (2013) * ''Persona Non Grata: Truth Be Told'' (2019) * ''T.D.I.A.L.'' (2024)
==See also== {{Portal|United States}} *List of American rappers *Strange Music discography *List of hip hop musicians *Midwestern hip-hop
==References== {{reflist|2| refs =
<ref name="R&B/Hip-HopChart">{{cite magazine |title=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart History |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kutt calhoun|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums B}} |magazine=Billboard.com |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |access-date=June 17, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="200Chart">{{cite magazine |title=Billboard 200 Chart History |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kutt calhoun|chart=Billboard 200}} |magazine=Billboard.com |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |access-date=June 17, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="topheatnc">{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kutt calhoun|chart=Heatseekers (West North Central)}} |title=Billboard - Top Heatseekers (West North Central) - B.L.E.V.E. |access-date=2008-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/628q51XQN?url=http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/Rihanna/chart-history/658897?f=793&g=Singles |archive-date=2011-10-02 }}</ref> <ref name="Billboard">{{cite web |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kutt calhoun|chart=all}} |title=Billboard - Album Chart History |access-date=2008-10-16 }}</ref> <ref name="Bunk Rock Bitch video on YouTube">{{YouTube|dd5vqEdAZyU|Bunk Rock Bitch}}</ref> <ref name="upforpreorder">[http://www.kutt.com/forum/topics/raw-and-unkutt-up-for-preorder ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713174330/http://www.kutt.com/forum/topics/raw-and-unkutt-up-for-preorder |date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref> <ref name="Harris Publications, Inc">{{cite web |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=80649 |title=WORLD PREMIERE: Kutt Calhoun feat. Tech N9ne "Naked" [VIDEO] |date=May 26, 2010 |work=XXLMag.com |publisher=Harris Publications, Inc |access-date=May 26, 2010 }}</ref> <ref name="blackgoldexplicit">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Black-Gold-Explicit/dp/B00B33VJ62 |title=Black Gold [Explicit]: Kutt Calhoun: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |access-date=2015-07-11}}</ref> <ref name="hiphopdxending">{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23111/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-3-3-2013 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/3/2013 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHopDX |date=2013-03-06 |access-date=2015-07-11}}</ref> <ref name="balcogold">{{cite web|url=https://www.ballerstatus.com/2015/07/10/kutt-calhoun-leaves-strange-music-to-start-own-label/ |title=Kutt Calhoun Leaves Strange Music To Start Own Label |publisher=BallerStatus.com |date=July 10, 2015}}</ref>
FIRST ALBUM
<ref name="bleveallmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/bleve-mw0000208878 |title=B.L.E.V.E. - Kutt Calhoun | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date=2004-05-18 |access-date=2013-07-16}}</ref>
<ref name="bleveitunes">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/b.l.e.v.e./id158938719 |title=iTunes - Music - B.L.E.V.E. by Kutt Calhoun |publisher=iTunes |date=2004-08-10 |access-date=2013-07-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405111612/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/b.l.e.v.e./id158938719 |archive-date=2015-04-05 }}</ref>
<ref name="blevesamazon">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/B-L-E-V-E-Kutt-Calhoun/dp/B0002235DU |title=B.L.E.V.E.: Kutt Calhoun: Music |website=Amazon |access-date=2013-07-16}}</ref>
<ref name="arepreviewblieve"> {{cite news | title =B.L.E.V.E. review | first =Steve 'Flash' | last =Juon | url =https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2004_10_bleve.html | newspaper =Rap Reviews | date =October 12, 2004 | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref>
FEATURE PRESENTATION ALBUM
<ref name="ecutcalhoun"> {{cite news | title =Feature Presentation | first =Kutt | last =Calhoun | url =https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/feature-presentation/id719482267 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150717060908/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/feature-presentation/id719482267 | url-status =dead | archive-date =July 17, 2015 | publisher =Strange Music / iTunes | date =October 7, 2008 | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref>
<ref name="bilbaordardkutt">{{cite web |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kutt calhoun|chart=all}} |title=Billboard - Album Chart History |access-date=2008-10-16 }} - Kutt Calhoun</ref>
<ref name="bunkrockbitch">{{YouTube|dd5vqEdAZyU|Bunk Rock Bitch video}}</ref>
<ref name="featurepresentrapreviews"> {{cite news | title =Feature Presentation | url =https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_06_featurepresentation.html | newspaper =Rap Reviews | date =2009 | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref>
<ref name="kbirchmeier"> {{cite news | title =Kutt Calhoun Biography | first =Jason | last =Birchmeier | url =https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kutt-calhoun-mn0000105211/biography | publisher =Allmusic | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref>
<ref name="dcuttinloose"> {{cite news | title =Kutt Calhoun - Kuttin Loose (EP) | first =Ural | last =Garrett | url =https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.2506/title.kutt-calhoun-kutting-lose-ep | publisher =HipHopDX | date =August 5, 2015 | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref> RAW AND UNCUTT
<ref name="200Chart">{{cite magazine |title=Billboard 200 Chart History |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kutt calhoun|chart=Billboard 200}} |magazine=Billboard.com |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |access-date=June 17, 2010}}</ref> <ref name="nstepsout"> {{cite news | title =Kutt Calhoun Steps Out On His Own | first =Nick | last =Veronin | url =https://activate.metroactive.com/2015/11/kutt-calhoun-steps-out-on-his-own/ | publisher =MetroActive | date =November 11, 2015 | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref> <ref name="unkutta">{{cite web|url=http://www.kutt.com/forum/topics/raw-and-unkutt-up-for-preorder |title=Raw and UnKutt up for Preorder. - Kutt Calhoun |publisher=Kutt.com |access-date=2012-03-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713174330/http://www.kutt.com/forum/topics/raw-and-unkutt-up-for-preorder |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref> <ref name="ofacebookprofile"> {{cite news | title =Profile of Kutt Calhoun | url =https://www.facebook.com/therealkuttcalhoun/info/?tab=page_info | publisher =Facebook | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref> <ref name="nakedboom">{{cite web |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=80649 |title=WORLD PREMIERE: Kutt Calhoun feat. Tech N9ne "Naked" [VIDEO] |date=May 26, 2010 |work=XXL Magazine |publisher=Harris Publications, Inc |access-date=May 26, 2010 }}</ref>
BLACK GOLD
<ref name="allmusic1">{{cite web|first=David|last=Jeffries |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/black-gold-mw0002478146 |title=Black Gold - Kutt Calhoun |publisher=AllMusic |date=2013-02-26 |access-date=2013-07-16}}</ref>
<ref name="HipHopDX">{{cite web|last=Ortiz |first=Edwin |url=https://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2044/title.kutt-calhoun-black-gold |title=Kutt Calhoun - Black Gold|publisher=HipHopDX |date=February 26, 2013|access-date=March 6, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="jakelabel">{{cite web|last=Paine |first=Jake |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22778/title.kutt-calhoun-black-gold-tracklist-cover-art |title=Kutt Calhoun "Black Gold" Tracklist & Cover Art |publisher=HipHopDX |date=2013-02-02 |access-date=2014-01-17}}</ref>
<ref name=calhournbill>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kutt calhoun|chart=Billboard 200}} Billboard 200 at Billboard.com] - Kutt Calhoun</ref>
<ref name="hiphopending">{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23111/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-3-3-2013|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/3/2013|date=6 March 2013|publisher=HipHopDX |access-date=March 6, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="BILLBOARDcalhoun">{{cite news | title = Kutt Calhoun | url = http://www.billboard.com/artist/306198/kutt-calhoun/chart |newspaper = Billboard | access-date = 2016-03-06 }}</ref>
<ref name="gcalhoundiscogs"> {{cite news | title =Kutt Calhoun Discography | url =https://www.discogs.com/artist/491048-Kutt-Calhoun | publisher =Discogs | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref>
<ref name="talksmixtapes">{{cite web|url=http://blog.kuttcalhoun.com/2010/12/23/kutt-calhoun-talks-mixtapes-albums-audio/ |title=Strange Music, Inc EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Kutt Calhoun Talks Upcoming Mixtapes and Albums [Audio] - Strange Music, Inc |publisher=Blog.kuttcalhoun.com |date=2010-12-23 |access-date=2015-07-11}}</ref> <ref name="CHS">{{cite AV media notes | title = Coathanga Strangla | title-link = Coathanga Strangla | others = Brotha Lynch Hung | year = 2011 | chapter = Strange Music Upcoming Releases | type = insert | publisher = Strange Music | location = Kansas City, MO}}</ref> <ref name="hcalhounitunes"> {{cite news | title =Kutt Calhoun Discography | url =https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kutt-calhoun/20128682 | publisher =ITunes | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref>
<ref name="icalhounallmusicdiscog"> {{cite news | title =Kutt Calhoun Discography | url =https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kutt-calhoun-mn0000105211/credits | publisher =Allmusic | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref>
<ref name="croadto"> {{cite news | title ="The Road to Black Gold"- Interview with Rapper Kutt Calhoun | url =http://www.beautifulstruggles.com/2013/01/kuttcalhoun/ | newspaper =Beautiful Struggles | date =January 22, 2013 | access-date = 2016-03-31 }}</ref> <ref name="onmyowntour">{{cite news | title = Hip Hop Roots Presents | url =https://www.thecomplexslc.com/event-1038.htm | publisher =The Complex LC | date =2015 | access-date = 2016-03-06 }}</ref> <ref name="empirekutt">{{cite news | title =Kuttin Loose EP | url =https://store.empi.re/products/kutt-calhoun-kuttin-loose-cd | publisher =Empire Distribution | access-date = 2016-03-06 }}</ref> <!-- <ref name="">{{cite news | access-date = 2016-03-06 }}</ref>
{{Listen |filename = |title = |description = }}
--> }}
==External links== {{Commons category|Kutt Calhoun}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160609195637/http://therealkuttcalhoun.com/ TheRealKuttCalhoun.com] *[https://soundcloud.com/kutt-calhoun Kutt Calhoun] on SoundCloud *[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC94nZvC8eXufN6-tzgPJjkg Kutt Calhoun] on YouTube *[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFborMc3pHyC7_W0oKEGiAw Kutt Calhoun] on VEVO {{Kutt Calhoun}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Calhoun, Kutt}} Category:20th-century American male rappers Category:20th-century American rappers Category:Rappers from Kansas City, Missouri Category:African-American Christians Category:Underground rappers Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American rappers Category:21st-century African-American rappers Category:20th-century African-American musicians Category:21st-century African-American male rappers Category:21st-century American male rappers