Paradise (13)

Artist, Activist, Advocate, Rapper, Poet, Mentor and Media Consultant hailing from Brixton, SW London via Bronx, NY. Marcus "Paradise" Dawes formerly known as Paradise (The Prolific) now records under the moniker, WhoIsParadise. He created and fronted The 57th Dynasty, independently producing the critically acclaimed, MOBO nominated debut album ‘Spoken Word’ in ’99. Between debut and Sophomore release of Boro 6 Vol. 2, A Dynasty Truly Like No Other [which feat multi-platinum selling Estelle] in ‘02, The 57th Dynasty toured extensively at home (Glastonbury, V2000) as well as abroad, including Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland alongside such stars as DMX, The Roots, WuTang & Eminem. In 04’ Paradise teamed with Krafty Kuts for the Vinnie Jones comedy-drama Mean Machine: OST. In ’06 armed with a new ethos of marrying art with purpose, WhoIsParadise created The Good Samaritan Music Project. His edutainment venture spawned a collaboration between US & UK rap luminaries KRS-One and Skinnyman who teamed with Paradise and MCD on the Charlie ‘The Baptist’ Parker produced classic, “U Must Learn UK”. The track charted across VH1’s MTV European Networks and considered by several music critics to be a seminal addition to hip-hop. ‘06 also saw Paradise’s acting spotlight shine when he starred as lead in Glyndebourne’s critically acclaimed international Hip-h’opera ‘School 4 Lovers.’ “He controlled a Cosi fan tutte such as Glyndebourne has never seen before” said Hilary Finch, The Times. “Donnie is played by the charismatic Paradise, who sets up exactly the right buzz of expectation”. said Michael Church, The Independent. In 2010, WhoIsParadise won the prestigious ‘Runner Up’ Our Heroes Award for his community work with at risk youth. His work at HMP Feltham, Young Offenders Institute has allowed him to put meaning & purpose to his own troubled past. As an artist, he is in a unique position of earned street credibility when championing a lesser kudos’ sociopolitical subject matter. In 2012 he won ‘Highly Commended’ award at Prince Charles’ Business in The Community Awards! And 2013 was jumped started with the digital #Two4Se7en_EP. The video for which featured on Promo News and received rotation on Vox Africa, Channel AKA and Flava TV and was entered into numerous Film Festivals.