What Happened to Paris the Rapper?

By Alice Nichols

Paris is a rapper who made a name for himself in the early 90s with his politically charged lyrics and revolutionary spirit. He was known for his outspoken views on social issues, particularly those affecting the African American community. However, in recent years, Paris has been relatively quiet on the music scene, leaving many fans wondering what happened to him.

The Rise of Paris

In the late 80s and early 90s, there was a surge of politically conscious hip-hop artists who used their music as a platform to discuss issues such as racism, poverty, and police brutality. Paris was one of these artists.

He gained notoriety with his debut album “The Devil Made Me Do It,” which was released in 1990. The album tackled controversial topics such as racial profiling and police brutality and featured songs like “Bush Killa” which criticized then President George H.W. Bush.

Paris continued to make music throughout the 90s, releasing albums like “Sleeping with the Enemy” in 1992 and “Guerrilla Funk” in 1994. His music remained politically charged, calling out systemic oppression and advocating for social change.

The Decline of Paris

Despite his initial success, Paris’s popularity began to decline in the late 90s. He released fewer albums and struggled to maintain his fan base. Some critics speculated that this was due to changes in the music industry – gangsta rap became increasingly popular during this time period, while socially conscious hip-hop fell out of favor.

In addition to these industry changes, Paris also faced personal challenges that impacted his ability to make music. He struggled with drug addiction and legal issues that landed him in jail for several years.

Paris Today

Today, Paris is still making music but has largely flown under the radar. In recent years he has released several albums including “Pistol Politics” in 2015 and “Safe Space Invader” in 2020. While his music still tackles political issues, he has also expanded his focus to include personal struggles such as addiction and mental health.

Despite his relative lack of mainstream success, Paris remains an influential figure in the world of socially conscious hip-hop. His music continues to inspire new generations of artists who use hip-hop as a platform for political activism.

Conclusion

Paris’s career has been marked by both success and struggle. He rose to fame in the early 90s as a politically conscious rapper, but faced declines in popularity due to changes in the music industry and personal challenges such as addiction and legal issues. However, today Paris continues to make music that addresses important social issues and serves as an inspiration for future generations of socially conscious hip-hop artists.