1500 or Nothin'

1500 or Nothin'
Also known as
  • 1500
  • The 1500 Choir
  • 1500 or Nothin Orchestra
  • The Fifteen Hundreds
OriginLos Angeles, United States
Genres
Years active2006–present
Members
Website1500ornothin.com

1500 or Nothin' is an American musical ensemble composed of record producers, songwriters, musicians and music videographers, formed in 2006, in Los Angeles, California.[1] With headquarters located in Inglewood, California, 1500 or Nothin' is composed of three internal divisions: 1500 Or Nothin' Music, 1500 Or Nothin' Video, and 1500 Or Nothin' Ancillary.[1] In 2006, 1500 or Nothin' began to create "a variety of music genres including Hip-Hop Rap, Rhythm & Blues, Alternative Rock, Urban and New Adult Contemporary.[1] The collective 1500 or Nothin' has[2] lent their writing, production or instrument skills to records for Justin Timberlake, Asher Roth, Jay-Z, Kanye West, T.I., Bruno Mars and B.o.B.[3]

In addition, the 1500 or Nothin' band or The Fifteen Hundreds as they are often referred to, are an 8-piece band that tours internationally and makes television appearances[2] regularly with artists including Snoop Dogg, Lupe Fiasco, The Game, and Faith Evans. 1500 Or Nothin' official members are Larrance "Rance" Dopson, Charles 'Uncle Chucc' Hamilton, Lamar 'Mars' Edwards, Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Kenneth "Bam" Alexander, Alexandria Dopson, Carlos 'Los' Mc Swain, and Jeret Black.

Members

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Former members

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  • Kenneth "Bam" Alexander Jr – Drummer, producer, writer and singer.[14] Bam has contributed to hits such as Jay-Z's "Show Me What You Got" from the Kingdom Come album released in 2006. Bam has also produced 2 songs that were featured in the 2009 film Dough Boys[15] He has toured with many artists, including R&B artist Bobby Valentino, a former member of Ludacris' record label, Disturbing Tha Peace.[16]
  • Alexandria Dopson – singer, songwriter. She has lent her writing, production or instrument skills to records for[17] Snoop's daughter, Cori B, and received writing credit Cori B's "Do My Thang".[17]
  • Charles 'Uncle Chucc' Hamilton – piano, drums, guitar, bass, percussion, vocals. At the early age of 5, Chucc was already developing his skills & talents as musician at his church where he learned to play organ, guitar, bass & the drums.[18] He released a solo album Be Your Teddy Bear under Doggy Style Records on December 17, 2012 and a gospel album with The Zion Messengers, No One But You in May 2013. Uncle Chucc began to receive more recognition as a solo artist after recording the chorus on Snoop Dogg's, "Neva Have 2 Worry".[19] He died on January 27, 2023.
  • Carlos 'Los' McSwain – Drummer. Los has lent his instrument skills on records for J. Holiday, Destiny's Child and Snoop Dogg.[20] He died on August 5, 2018.
  • Jeret "J.Black" Black – singer, songwriter. J Black is featured on records such as "Christmas on Soul" with Terrace Martin featuring Snoop Dogg.[21] He has recorded and toured with The Game, DJ Quik, Kurupt, Royce da 5'9" and Eminem.

Production discography

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Touring

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In anticipation of his sixth album Mastermind, Miami-based rapper Rick Ross teamed up with the 1500 or Nothin' band to give concertgoers a whole new experience for 'One Night Only on August 14, 2013 at Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE.[22] Live on tour or for television appearances,[2] the band had performed with artists such as Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Xzibit, T.I., Faith Evans, and Fort Minor.[2] They are currently working with rapper Azealia Banks. They appeared at her April 2015 shows at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Ventures

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As a growing label, 1500 or Nothin' has partnered with Peer Publishing Company to create their own publishing company, 1500 Or Nothin' Publishing. They have signed artists Janae, Ally Brooke, and more.[23]

1500 or Nothin' has also created the 1500 Sound Academy with member James Fauntleroy as one of the instructors. The facility offers courses relating to production, mixing, writing, musicianship, and management to aspiring music professionals.[24]

Band

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Current Members

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Larrance Dopson - keyboards, MD, percussion

Lamar "Mars" Edwards - keyboards

Brody Brown - bass guitar

Kenneth "Bam" Alexander - drums

James Faunterloy - guitar, vocals, percussion

DJ Young Guru - DJ, programming

Just Blaze - DJ, keyboards, programming

Former Members

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Carlos McSwain - drums (died 2018)

Jaret Black - backing vocals

Latoya Williams - backing vocals

Uncle Chucc - lead guitar, bass, vocals (died January 27, 2023)

Awards and recognition

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In 2012, 1500 or Nothin' had eight Grammy nominations[25] and by 2014 were nominated for 21in total.[4]

The 1500 or Nothin' band worked as co-music directors for The 2013 Soul Train Awards in Las Vegas, legendary keyboardist Greg Phillinganes in 2014.[2] They have also been nominated and received accolades from ASCAP, BET, BMI and the American Billboards.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "1500-or-Nothin". beatmakingvideos.com. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e "2013 Soul Train Awards Spotlight: 1500 Or Nothin'". Soul Train. November 11, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  3. ^ "Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa Hit The Studio With Production Team 1500 Or Nothin'". xxlmag.com. January 27, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Muhammad, Latifah (January 29, 2013). "Hip-Hop Wired Presents: Beatmakers – Larrance Dopson of 1500 or Nothin'". The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired.
  5. ^ "About". 1500orNothin. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  6. ^ #teamEBONY (February 26, 2020). "2020 EBONY POWER 100 LIST". EBONY. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  7. ^ Mitchell, Gail (December 8, 2021). "1500 Sound Academy Raises the Volume on Educating Next Generation of Music Creators". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Mars Bio". sxsw.com. April 2014.
  9. ^ "My Guy Mars Mixtape by No Days off Hosted by Don Cannon". Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "No Days off - My Guy Mars | Mixtape Download". Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  11. ^ w2mg (September 7, 2011). "1500 or Nothin". welcome2media.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Mench, Chris (November 18, 2016). "Who is Bruno Mars' mystery producer Shampoo Press & Curl? and what happened to the Smeezingtons?". Genius. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  13. ^ "ABOUT | 1500 or Nothin'".
  14. ^ "Artist Profile". discogs.com/.
  15. ^ "Kenneth "Bam" Alexander". Discogs. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  16. ^ "Artist Details : Kenneth BAM Alexander". ProMark Drumsticks. 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  17. ^ a b DX Staff (March 8, 2012). "Cori B f. Snoop Dogg "Daddy's Girl [Prod. 1500 or Nothin']". hiphopdx.com.
  18. ^ "Artist Page: Uncle Chucc". soundcloud.com.
  19. ^ "Neva Have 2 Worry (feat. Uncle Chucc)". last.fm. May 10, 2023.
  20. ^ "Exclusive Interview With Snoop Doggs Drummer". exploretalent.com.
  21. ^ "Terrace Martin – Christmas on Soul f. Snoop Dogg & J. Black". 2dopeboyz.com. December 17, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  22. ^ "Rick Ross Teams with 1500 or Nothin' Band for L.A. Show". Rap-Up.com. August 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  23. ^ "1500 or Nothin' Artist Details". 1500 Sound Academy. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  24. ^ "1500 Sound Academy". 1500sound. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  25. ^ "1500 Or Nothin at the Grammy's". Killerhiphop.com. February 26, 2013.
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