11:59⦠Right before the break of dawn⦠Right before the beginning of something new⦠A test of endurance, faith and patience⦠11:59

11 MP3 Songs
HIP HOP/RAP: Spiritual Rap, GOSPEL: Contemporary Gospel



Details:
Whoever said big things come in small packages was right. Born November 14, 1980 as Carleashon Cromwell, Under5ive has always carried a strong sense of determination, presence and animation when in front of a crowd. Music has always intrigued the mind, heart and soul of this now aspiring artist/songwriter. As told by her Aunt who has raised her since the age of four, âCarle would wake up out of her sleep to sing her favorite song she heard on the radio. As soon as the song was over, she would lay right back down and go to sleep.â Since the age of four Under5ive has always been in front of some type of crowd ranging from tap to ballet to jazz dancing to modeling, singing, reciting poetry and on to rapping. It has been clear since then that she truly possessed a heart and a love for the arts.

It wasnât until the late 1980's did Under5ive develop the desire to start rapping. She smiled and reminisced, âI was watching TV when Queen Latifahâs video came on. It was the song U.N.I.T.Y. That blew me out the water. I couldnât believe it. She was a female flowinâ so tight and at the same time she was talking about something. That changed my whole perspective of rap and what it could be used to do. Not only that, but it gave me the courage to believe I could write my own raps.â

Soon after that spark, Under5ive began gracing the many stages of Milwaukee, Wisconsinâs Summer Feast Grounds, African World Festival platforms, State Fair stages and various talent shows developing her skill at the age of ten. Those venues lead to other opportunities of opening up for Kriss Kross, rapping for Spice1, LoKey and one of Doctor Dreâs scouts. With many contracts offered to her in past times, Under5ive simply didnât walk through because she feared losing the love for what she did. âI believe in walking in truth and living with integrity. When you donât know who you are, people with power and influence can cause you to compromise your moral values,â she explained. With that said, integrity and patience has begun to open many doors for this budding entrepreneur.

In August of 2004 Under5ive was a featured artist on Milwaukeeâs Gumbo Television show. Her single, âMake Daddy Proudâ, captured the attention of Minister Melvin Hood and Doc Love, diskjockeys from Milwaukeeâs FM station V100.7 #1 for Hip Hop, R&B and Gospel. In December 2004, the single received air play on Doc Loveâs Heat From the Streetz. Then in Janurary of 2005, Minister Melvin Hood did a interview with Under5ive and a world premier of the single which found its way in heavy rotation on his show, Love & Devotion. In July 2005, she was one of the opening acts for Smokie Norful and Shirley Ceaser during the NAACPâs 96th Annual Convention held in Milwaukee, WI. She has had many experiences that have shaped her approach of using the influence of Hip Hop.

Although 11:59 will be her first LP release, it will not be her first attempt. In 1999 she recorded her first self-entitled LP The Under Five Footer. Her reason for not releasing it? âI had to reevaluate myself. Is this the message I really wanted to relay to my listeners. It wasnât âbadâ music, it just wasnât consistent. Now I know what I want to do. I want to provide music with substance that evokes change within the heart of the listeners. I want to address societal issues that affect the development of youth and their perception of life, love, their purpose and worth.â With her current CD release entitled, 11:59, Under5ive brings a sense of hope and healing to todayâs young Hip Hop fans.