Wikipedia

Ozols (rapper)

Ģirts Rozentāls (born July 21, 1979), better known by his stage name Ozols (in Latvian – oak) is a Latvian rapper, writer, record producer and entrepreneur from Riga.[1] His musical career began in 1995, with the first hip hop group in Latvia called FACT.

Ozols
Birth nameĢirts Rozentāls
Also known as
  • Ozols
Born (1979-07-21) July 21, 1979 (age 45)
Riga, Latvian SSR
OriginRīga
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • rapper
  • writer
  • record producer
  • entrepreneur
InstrumentVocals
Years active1995–present

Music career

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Ozols is regarded as one of the founders of hip hop music in Latvia in the mid-1990s. After spending six years in a hip hop group called FACT where he wrote songs together with Gustavo and Čižiks,[2] he started his solo career at the beginning of the 2000s with his debut single "Neko 2005" (2000), followed by his debut album Cieņa un mīlestība (2001; Respect and Love). His appearance using shiny accessories, baggy clothes, and a "gangster image" was a shock to local musicians and listeners at the time.[3] In 2009 Platforma Music label released Ozols' 19-track album Neatkarība (Independence) featuring Nātre, Rays, Kurts, Pikaso, A.G., b-ūš and New York rapper Afu-ra.[4]

In 2015, after a few years of silence, Ozols returned to the Latvian music scene with his fifth studio album Atpakaļ nākotnē (Back to the Future).[5]

On November 12, 2018, Ozols released his sixth studio album Neona pilsēta (Neon City).[6]

During his career, Ozols has performed in the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, reached the status of the "Golden disc" with the album Cieņa un mīlestība,[7] and received the Latvian Music Records Annual Award four times.

Business career

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In 2014, Ozols founded the clothing shop "Hoodshop," which sells clothes, shoes books and vinyl records. Earlier, the musician owned the shop "Street shop."[8]

Personal life

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In 2016, he married "Promoart.lv" artist Eva Rozentāle (née Poņemecka).[9] He has a daughter named Naomi from a previous relationship.[10]

Discography

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Singles

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  • "Neko 2005" (2000)
  • "O.Z.O.L.S" (2001)
  • "OzRaps/O'79" (2002)
  • "Mirāža" (2012)
  • "Piemēri" (2013)
  • "Sapņotājs" (2013)
  • "Ilgojos" (2014)
  • "Superhaips" (2015)
  • "Situācijas" (ft. Edavārdi) (2016)
  • "Laika kapsula" (2016)
  • "Pasaule" (ft. Tehnikums) (2017)
  • "Personības rekords" (2018)
  • "Stils" (2018)
  • "Zapte" (2019)
  • "Levitē" (2019)

Albums

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  • "Cieņa un mīlestība" (2001)
  • "Augstāk, tālāk, stiprāk" (2002)
  • "Dūzis" (2003)
  • "Neatkarība" (2009)
  • "Cieņa un mīlestība" (2015)
  • "Atpakaļ nākotnē" (2015)
  • "Semestris" ft. Tehnikums (2017)
  • "Neona Pilsēta" (2018)

Annual Latvian Music Recording Awards

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Nominations

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  • "Salauzta sirds" ft. Dons (song of the year 2019)[11]
  • "Semestris" ft. Tehnikums (best hip hop album 2018)
  • "Tu vari tēlot" ft. Tehnikums (best music video 2018)
  • "Situācijas" ft. Edavārdi (best music video 2017)
  • "Atpakaļ nākotnē" (best music video 2016)

Received awards

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  • "Neona pilsētas" (best hip hop album 2019)
  • "Salauzta sirds" ft. Dons (best radio hit 2019)[11]
  • "Salauzta sirds" ft. Dons (best song 2019)[11]
  • "Atpakaļ nākotnē" (best hip hop album 2016)

References

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  1. ^ Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn; Fonseca, Anthony J. (December 1, 2018). Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313357596.
  2. ^ "Video no 90tajiem! 19 gadīgs reperis Ozols stāsta par karjeras sākumu". parmuziku.lv (in Latvian). July 21, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  3. ^ "Hiphoperis Ozols publicē dziesmu izlasi, gatavojoties jauna albuma izdošanai" (in Latvian). Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs. September 9, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  4. ^ Strautmanis, Andris (March 21, 2009). "Rapper Ozols releases new album". Latvians Online. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  5. ^ "Ozols sācis levitēt". parmuziku.lv (in Latvian). January 30, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  6. ^ "Hiphopa izpildītājs Ozols laidis klajā videoversiju dziesmai "Levitē"" (in Latvian). Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  7. ^ "Ozols spēlē arī basketbolu" (in Latvian). Delfi. August 4, 2001. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  8. ^ Glumane, Monta (June 6, 2018). "Reperis Ozols – mūziķis, kas tirgo arī retro apavus". Dienas Bizness (in Latvian). Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  9. ^ Sergejeva, Sandra (May 24, 2016). "VAKARA ZIŅAS: Ozols pošas kāzām!". nra.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  10. ^ Rudaks, Uldis (March 12, 2016). "Ko redzi, to havā. Ozols ir atgriezies". Diena. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c "Instrumenti scoop major Latvian music award". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. February 14, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
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