C-Real (rapper)

Cyril-Alex Gockel (born 16 July 1984), known by his stage name C-Real, is a Ghanaian rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, writer and poet.[1][2] In 2009, he won the Ghanaian edition of the Channel O Sprite Emcee Africa talent show and finished second at the show's finals.[3] He is regarded as one of the leading hip-hop artists in Ghana.[4] He was featured on "Next Up", a song from Coptic's mixtape The Rising Stars of Gh Vol 1 (2012).[5]

This article is about the Ghanaian rapper. For the South Korean girl group, see C-REAL. For the Greek pop rock band, see C：Real.

C-Real
C-Real
Background information
Birth nameCyril-Alex Gockel
Born (1984-07-16) 16 July 1984
Hohoe, Ghana
OriginAccra, Ghana
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • poet
  • writer
  • entrepreneur
  • record producer
InstrumentsMicrophone
Years active2009–present
LabelsMixDown Studios
Associated acts
  • J-town
  • E.L
  • Chase
  • D-Cyrme
  • Efya
  • Gemini
  • Scientific
  • E-fine
  • Bebelino
  • Louisika
  • Zeus
Websitecrealmusic.com

Biography and music career

C-Real was born in Hohoe, a town in the Volta region of Ghana. Growing up, he listened to artists such as Ini Kamoze, Das Efx and KRS-One. He and one of his friends formed a rap group called NT, an acronym for Nipa Tumtum. C-Real graduated from St. Peter's Boys Senior Secondary School, and is also an alumnus of the University of Ghana. He started writing poetry, rap verses and basic literature in 2009. C-Real has cited The Notorious B.I.G., Elzhi, Black Thought, Mos Def, Jay-Z, Canibus, Method Man, Eminem, Nas and Busta Rhymes as his key rap influences.[3]

Channel O Sprite Emcee Africa (Ghana)

In an interview with Richmond Adu-Poku, C-Real said he decided to participate in the Ghanaian edition of the Channel O Sprite Emcee Africa talent show after hearing about it. He advanced to the top 10 round after the first round of auditions and subsequently battled Padlock, Chymny and Rocky for the crown. After emerging as the winner of the competition, he conducted radio interviews and co-hosted the Brown Berry Show on Choice 102.3 FM.[3]

2009–15: Mixtapes and debut studio album

C-Real told Adu-Poku he was working on a mixtape with his cousin Joseph Deo-Silas and some of his close-knit friends.[3] On November 3, 2009, he released Multiples of C, a 7-track mixtape that features guest appearances from UNO and A.ma. C-Real described the mixtape as an "exhibition mixtape" designed to showcase his versatility.[6] In April 2011, he teamed up with E.L to release Project Hip Hop, a 9-track collaborative mixtape that features guest artists such as Sherifa and Gemini. The mixtape was produced by DJ Juls, E.L and Aphroteq.[7]

C-Real started working on his debut studio album Em C.E.O. at Mix Down Studios. As a prelude to the album, he released "It's a Rap" and "Kneel, Pray, Rise, Conquer". The latter track is a Gospel-inspired track. Released on December 1, 2012, Em C.E.O features guest appearances from Efya, Chase, E.L, J-Town, Gemini, M.anifest, Lousika, Zeus, Bebelino and Yom da Poet. It was supported by five singles: "I Be The Swag", "Em.Ceo", "Mission Possible", "Opeimu", and "Do the Azonto".[8][9][10]

"I Be The Swag" was released as the album's lead single in 2011. The accompanying music video for "I Be The Swag" was directed by Nana Asihene of NKACC.[11][10] The video was nominated for Best Hip Hop Video at the 2011 4Syte Music Video Awards.[12] The music video for "Em.Ceo" was released on August 17, 2012; it was directed by SABA Arts and uploaded to YouTube.[13] The video was also nominated for Best Hip Hop Video at the 2012 4Syte Music Video Awards.[14]

The Nana Kofi Asihene-directed music video for "Opeimu" was released on July 19, 2013.[15] It was nominated for Best Collaboration of the Year, Best Hip Hop Video, and Best Photography Video at the 2013 4Syte Music Video Awards.[16] In January 2014, C-Real released his third mixtape The Reigning Season; it comprises 10 songs and was recorded in Pidgin, English, Twi, Ewe, and Ga. The mixtape features guest appearances from Stargo Da Don and Johnny Boy. In "One Mic", C-Real pays tribute to American rapper Nas.[17][18] On February 19, 2015, C-Real released Project Hip Hop 2, his fourth overall mixtape and second collaborative project with E.L. Project Hip Hop 2 comprises 10 songs and features guest appearances from Gemini, Stargo, Ko-Jo Cue, Lil Shaker and Lady J. It was produced by Nel Magnum, DJ Juls and E.L.[19]

Business life

C-Real started out as a junior copywriter at Origin8, a local advertising agency in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi. He is currently the CEO of MixDown Studios and Pulse Communications. C-Real is also the head of marketing at OG Farms and an avid public speaker.[20]

Personal life

In 2014, C-Real presented a Hyundai Santa Fe to his mother for Valentine's Day.[21]

Awards

4Stye Music Video Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 "Opeimu" (with M.anifest) Best Collaboration of the Year[16] Nominated
Best Hip Hop Video[16] Nominated
Best Photography Video[16] Nominated
2012 Em.CEO (with J-Town) Best Hip Hop Video[22] Nominated
2011 I Be Swag Best Hip Hop Video[23] Nominated

Discography
Studio albums
  • EM.CEO (2012)
  • Business Suits & Dress Shoes (2016)
Mixtapes
  • Multiples of C (2009)
  • Project Hip Hop (with E.L) (2011)
  • The Reigning Season (2014)
  • Project Hip Hop 2 (with E.L) (2015)
Singles (partial)
  • "Wey Tin Dey Happen" (featuring E.L)
  • "Em CEO" (featuring J-Town)
  • "Mission Possible" (featuring Yom Da Poet)
  • "Hewale" (featuring E.L)
  • "Opeimu" (featuring M.anifest)
  • "Shine"
  • "Survival" (featuring Worlasi)

References
  1. "Ghana Music•Com™ • C-Real • Artistes Beginning With "C" • Artistes". Ghanamusic.com. February 28, 2012. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  2. "The Rapper in the Boardroom, Articles". Thisday Live. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  3. Adu-Poku, Richmond (June 30, 2009). "Meet C-Real "MC Africa" Ghana Rep". Modernghana.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  4. "C-real (Hip Hop)". Last.fm. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  5. "Coptic Presents… The Rising Stars of GH Vol. 1 Mixtape Press Release". VibeGhana.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  6. "C-Real's Multiples of C Mixtape Out". Music.thinkghana.com. November 3, 2009. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  7. "EL & C-Real Project Hip-Hop – Creativity at its Best". Ghanamotion.com. April 25, 2011. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  8. Adinkra, Fiifi (December 20, 2012). "C-Real Drops 'Hewale'& 'Opeimu' Off Em.Ceo". Modernghana.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  9. "iTunes – Music – Em C.E.O. by C:Real". Itunes.apple.com. December 1, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  10. "C-Real Profile/Interview". GhanaFilla.Net. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  11. "360Fresh: C-Real – #IBeTheSwag". 360Nobs.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  12. "Ghana Music•com™ • Vodafone 4 Syte Music Video Awards 2011 nominees list out • TOP STORIES • NEWS". Ghanamusic.com. October 14, 2011. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  13. "C-Real to Release 'Em.CEO' Video Ft. J-Town on August 17 | Music 2012-08-12". Ghanaweb.com. August 12, 2012. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  14. Lawson, Dennis (October 24, 2012). "Lousika nominated for 4SYTE TV Music Video Awards 2012". Modernghana.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  15. "C-Real and M.anifest release Opeimu video". Africanhiphop. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  16. "MTN 4syte Music Video Awards 2013". Ghanacelebrities.com. October 6, 2013. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  17. Ayeinabom Ernest Weseh (January 14, 2014). "Ghana News – C-Real releases HipHop mixtape The Reigning Season". Myjoyonline.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  18. "FAB MUSIC: C-Real releases new mixtape, 'The Reigning Season'". Fabmagazineonline.com. January 12, 2014. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  19. "Listen UP: C-Real & E.L – Project Hip-Hop". Ameyawdebrah.com. April 9, 2015. Archived from the original on March 2, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  20. "C-Real and Empi Baryeh to make guest appearance at ALEWA, May 12". Ghanasoccernet.com/. May 8, 2012. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  21. "A True Valentine Story!!! Rapper Spends Ghc50,000 on Gift For His 'Sweatheart'". Dailyguideghana.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  22. "Full list of 4th MTN 4Syte Music Video Awards 2012". GhanaFilla.Net. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  23. "Vodafone 4SYTE Music Video Awards 2011 Nominations Out!". Ghanacelebrities.com. October 15, 2011. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
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