Byron Dwayne “Guilty” Simpson[1] is an American rapper and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan whose recording career spans more than 20 years. He is signed to Stones Throw Records, and is known for being one of the late producer J Dilla’s favorite rappers.[2]

Guilty Simpson
Simpson posing backstage in Atlanta, Georgia, March 2008
Simpson posing backstage in Atlanta, Georgia, March 2008
Background information
Birth nameByron Dwayne Simpson
BornDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1996-present
LabelsStones Throw
Member ofAlmighty Dreadnaughtz

Simpson’s debut album, Ode to the Ghetto, includes production from J Dilla, as well as from Madlib and Black Milk; all three have been frequent collaborators of his. Along with Black Milk and the late Sean Price, Guilty Simpson formed one-third of the rap trio Random Axe. Simpson is also affiliated with the Detroit hip-hop collective Almighty Dreadnaughtz.

Guilty Simpson’s major rap influences are Big Daddy Kane, Scarface, Kool G Rap, and Ice Cube.[2]

Discography edit

Albums edit

Year Title Chart positions
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top Heatseekers
2008 Ode to the Ghetto 69 23
2010 O. J. Simpson (produced by Madlib)
  • Released: May 18, 2010
  • Label: Stones Throw
62 37
2015 Detroit's Son (produced by Katalyst of Quakers)[3]
  • Released: September 11, 2015[4]
  • Label: Stones Throw
2021 EGO (produced by Gensu Dean)
2023 Escalation (produced by Uncommon Nasa)
  • Released: October 13, 2023
  • Label: Uncommon Records

Collaborations edit

Year Title Chart positions
U.S.
200
U.S.
R&B
2011 Random Axe with Black Milk & Sean Price 83 15
2012 The Mission EP with Eric Lau
  • Released: February 3, 2012
  • Label: Kilawatt Music
2012 Dice Game with Apollo Brown
  • Released: November 13, 2012
  • Label: Mello Music Group
2013 Highway Robbery with Small Professor
  • Released: September 24, 2013[5]
  • Label: Beat Goliath/Coalmine
2014 The Simpson Tape with Oh No
  • Released: September 27, 2014
  • Label: Stones Throw
2019 Child Of The Jungle with MED
  • Released: March 29, 2019
  • Label: Bang Ya Head
? ?
2020 LSD with Leonard Charles as the Leonard Simpson Duo[6]
  • Released: January 31, 2020[7]
  • Label: Jakarta

Mixtapes edit

  • 2007: Stray Bullets (mixed by DJ Rhettmatic) (Stones Throw)
  • 2009: Madlib Medicine Show Vol.1: Before the Verdict (Feat. Guilty Simpson) (produced by Madlib)
  • 2010: Ghettodes (Beats by Oh No)
  • 2010: OX to the D (With Roc C) (produced by Soul Professa)

Singles edit

  • 2007: "Man's World" 12" (Prod. J Dilla)
  • 2007: "Getting Bitches" 12" (Prod. Mr Porter) b/w "She Won't Stay At Home" (Prod. Madlib)
  • 2008: "Ode To The Ghetto" 12" (Prod. Oh No) b/w "Home Invazion (Madlib Robbery Remix)" (Prod. Madlib)
  • 2008 "Guilt Trip" b/w "Trusted (Lying Bitch)" Digital Single (Prod. L.G.P)
  • 2008: "Footwork (Size 12 Version)" 7" (Prod. Madlib)
  • 2009: "Stress" 12" (Prod. J Dilla)
  • 2009: "Coroners Music" 12" (Prod. Madlib) b/w "OJ Simpson" (Prod. Madlib)
  • 2009: "Acquired Taste" 7" (Prod. Metro)
  • 2013: "Gees" 7" (Prod. Musca)
  • 2014: "Assam" 7" (Prod. Musca)

Appearances edit

2001

2002

  • "Dirty District Theme" (with MarvWon (billed as Guilty & Marv )) by Slum Village from Dirty District

2003

2004

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

  • "My Guitar Whales (Remix)" by Paul White from And The Purple Brain

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2018

2020

  • "Detroit to Kosovo" by Binakaj from The Menu
  • "F*c'em" by Nuch & Tony Digz from Silver Alley EP
  • "Feels Good to Say" with Suff Daddy from Pompette

2022

  • ”We Gon’ Stomp Shit” (also featuring Tragedy Khadafi, Thirstin Howl III, Bonshah, Fraction & Ultra Magnus) by The Mighty Rhino from To Relieve The Sorrow-Laden Heart

Personal life edit

Former NBA player Ronnie Brewer is a cousin of Guilty Simpson.

References edit

  1. ^ "ACE Repertory: SIMPSON BYRON". ASCAP. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Guilty Simpson – Stones Throw Records". Stonesthrow.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Guilty Simpson". Real Detroit Weekly. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Guilty Simpson - Detroit's Son [Explicit]". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  5. ^ "iTunes – Music – Highway Robbery by Guilty Simpson & Small Professor". iTunes. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  6. ^ Van Nguyen, Dean (February 4, 2020). "The Leonard Simpson Duo: LSD Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  7. ^ "LSD by The Leonard Simpson Duo". Apple Music. Retrieved February 7, 2020.

External links edit