Chali 2na

About

Also known as: Chali2na, Charles L. Stewart

Chali 2na is the kind of rapper whose voice you recognise in two seconds flat. The Chicago born MC built his name as a founding member of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli, and that deep bass baritone, paired with a quick fire delivery, became one of hip hop's most distinctive calling cards through the late 90s and 2000s. His stage name is a nod to Charlie the Tuna, the deep voiced StarKist mascot, which tells you everything about his self awareness. Beyond the groups, his solo work is worth seeking out. Fish Outta Water brought in collaborators like Talib Kweli, Raphael Saadiq, Beenie Man, and Damian Marley, and scored solid reviews. The Fish Market mixtapes before it showed off the sheer range of his guest work, from Linkin Park to Roots Manuva, who became a close friend and regular collaborator. He has also kept busy as a visual artist, painting alongside his rap career.