Nine, born Derrick Keyes, is a quintessential figure of the mid-1990s hardcore rap scene in New York. Emerging from the Bronx with a vocal style famously described as gravelly and harsh, he initially performed as 9MM before rebranding to Nine to distance himself from firearm associations.
His breakthrough came via collaborations with Funkmaster Flex, specifically the track 'Six Million Ways to Die,' which established his signature sonic identity. His debut album, Nine Livez (1995), remains a cult classic of the boom bap era, characterized by Rob Lewis's production which utilized dusty jazz samples and aggressive drum programming. Nine occupies a specific niche in hip-hop history as a 'rapper's rapper,' cited by legends like Nas and Fat Joe for his unique flow. , his influence persists among crate-diggers and fans of the 'rugged' New York aesthetic. His career represents the transition from the golden age to the more polished late-90s sound, though he steadfastly maintained a raw, underground sensibility throughout his discography.
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); gravelly, raspy, intense (vocal style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); gravelly, raspy, intense (vocal style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, drum_machine (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)
Shares turntables, abstract hip-hop, boom bap, gravelly (instrumentation)
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