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Atiim began writing songs at the age of 12, and performing at 14 years old. Inspired first by Menudo, and then by Whodini, Atiim became further influenced by local Bay Area rappers like Too Short, Ant-Banks, Seagram, Dangerous Dame, and many others. Next he was drawn to the East Coast style of music where he began to incorporate poetic lyricism into his style. Expanding his horizons both musically and politically, and inspired by the challenge of fusing East and West Coast sound styles, Atiim began writing lyrics that addressed important issues, and that could perhaps be understood outside of local lingo and accepted by a larger listening crowd.
In Junior High School, Atiim joined a local group in Berkeley called Gangstas By Heart (GBH), and began writing to turntable instrumentals. This group formed out of a need to express the alternative to street violence. At Berkeley High School in the early 90’s, Atiim trained and performed with the Live Lyricist Society, an elite club of lyricists and performers who actively worked on freestyle writings, performance, and public speaking. Embedded in Hip Hop, he started a group called ‘Fourth Kind’ that displayed dance, east meets west coast style rap and lyricism, and performance. Also during his high school years, he joined ranks with his brother, best friend, and cousins to form a family rap group named 5N’Dime, and wrote lyrics, choruses and song concepts for the group. They performed at showcases in Los Angeles and recorded at Skyline Studios and Pajama Studios in Oakland.
In 1997 Atiim recorded numerous poetry/spoken word sessions and laid down hip-hop tracks with God-brother Kobane (member of 5N-Dime) at Roof Top Studios in San Leandro, California. A year earlier, Atiim began working with producer "D-Jones". Their chemistry was phenomenal and this new fire fueled the music. By 2001 D-Jones and Atiim decided to produce and release their music independently. Atiim founded Ridah Ridah Recordz & Publishing and began work on his debut album. Entitled "In Pursuit of Happiness", this musical debut displays the good range of Atiim's rapping, writing, and lyrical skills. Mixed at Skyline Studios and Mastered at Pajama Studios in Oakland, "In Pursuit of Happiness" is a passionate work that's funky, fun and formidable. It was completed in May of 2003 but ran out of funding to go any further.
Atiim collaborated with David Jones, yet again, and a new producer Navarro Henry and began recording his sophomore album "1 pen, One pad, A minute" (available soon). Ridah Ridah Recordz and Publishing (R3NP) collaborated with 5N'Dime to produce a group album with the debut title The Classic. It was released in February of 2005 and can be found at CDbaby. In the same year Atiim met Bekka Fink and was given an opportunity to join her band ‘Bekka’s Frogland Orchestra’ as a vocalist. Bekka invited him to collaborate with writing lyrics, expressing his spoken word and pushed him to express himself through yet another medium, song.
In 2004 Atiim joined a band named Izum, which later became known in the Bay Area as SHOTWELL 25, a Bay Area Funk/Jazz/Hip-Hop/Afro-Cuban band. With a full horn and rhythm section at his disposal, he worked on his live performance playing in many of the Bay Area’s local venues (http://www.Shotwell25.com). And in 2005, Atiim formed his own band BOMANI Musik (formerly known as SupaFRENDZ), a funky mix of hip hop, R&B; and Funk. Also in 2005, he began collaborating with Divasonic (http://www.Divasonic.com) as a co-writer, support vocalist, and roadie.
In 2007, Atiim finally released his debut album ‘In Pursuit of Happiness’ (July 22nd, 2007), which was done in collaboration with David Jones (The Tunmaster) at Backyard Enetertaiment Studios in Indianapolis, Indiana (Current Studio location is Pitsburg, CA.). This release is through TuneCore (Tunecore sucks!), which makes his music digitally available world – wide on iTunes and other electronic distributors.
Atiim is currently preparing other back-logged music for release in 2009 to begin his focus on new material. He's collaborating with other producers and singers like Divasonic by writing, producing and performing, and rehearsing with his bands BOMANI, (newly formed) Dragon Spit 22, and 7th Street Sound to record some live and original tunes.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1394080&l=44e46&id=674773333
Coming Soon! ~ Can of Wormz (Single)
'Can of Wormz'
Performed by Divasonic & Atiim Chenzira.
Written by Atiim Chenzira ASCAP dba Ridah Ridah Recordz N Publishing BMI.
Divasonic Music ASCAP.
Produced & Recorded by Divasonic @ 427 Studios & Studio 2o3.
Mixed by Lynda Arnold, Steve Heithecker & Michael Roache @ Studio 2o3 & Pyramind Studios in San Francisco, CA.
Foto By: Stephan Morais ~ http://www.StephanFoto.com
http://www.Reverbnation.com/AtiimChenzira
http://www.Reverbnation.com/Divasonic
