Paris is the stage name of Oscar Jackson Jr., a US rapper from San Francisco, born in 1967. He is known for politically charged, confrontational rap, and for tracks such as “Bush Killa”, which draws particular attention for its anti-George H. W. Bush content.

Career

Paris studies economics at the University of California, Davis before beginning his recording career. He founds Scarface Records and also issues his first single through Tommy Boy Records. His debut album, The Devil Made Me Do It, appears in 1990 and brings critical attention; the title track is banned by MTV.

His second album, Sleeping With the Enemy, is not distributed in the usual way because of the controversy around “Bush Killa” and its insert artwork, which shows the artist behind a tree with an assault rifle while the president waves to a crowd. He releases the album on Scarface Records, and it becomes a critical success with strong independent sales.

In 1994, Guerrilla Funk sells around 300,000 units. The follow-up, Unleashed, is criticised by some listeners for its G-funk sound, although it continues to focus on unity and resistance to racial discrimination. In 2003, he returns with a new label, Guerrilla Funk Recordings.

Later releases and collaborations

Sonic Jihad continues his use of contentious cover art, showing a plane flying into the White House. The album addresses the War on Terror, the Iraq war, police brutality, black-on-black violence and conditions in inner-city communities, and includes appearances by KAM, Dead Prez and Public Enemy.

Paris also works with Public Enemy on Rebirth of a Nation, a project whose title refers to the 1915 film Birth of a Nation. Chuck D is the main vocal performer, while Paris writes most of the album. It also features MC Ren, Immortal Technique and the Conscious Daughters, and is treated as a separate project from the main discographies of Paris and Public Enemy.

Style

His work is associated with conscious hip hop, hardcore hip hop, political hip hop and west coast hip hop. Across his releases, he is identified with militant political themes and direct commentary on racism, state violence and social conditions.