Listen to Joell Ortiz

Rapper Joell Christopher Ortiz was one of the most celebrated independent artists in early-2000s New York. He won a coveted spot in The Source Magazine's “Unsigned Hype” column, which quickly earned him a deal with Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def label before he inked a contract with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. His intoxicating flow, heady narratives, and gritty street tales earned him a loyal fanbase. Ortiz’s lack of commercial success led to ...Read more