Chris Thomas Biography & Awards

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Artist Info

Born

October 14, 1962 Baton Rouge, LA

Biography

Author of a unique blues-rock/rap fusion, Baton Rouge native Chris Thomas (aka Chris Thomas King) began playing blues guitar when he was ten, thanks to his father, swamp blues singer Tabby Thomas. He went on tour with his father at age 15, playing gigs around the South, but fell in love with rap at the same time. He recorded two largely blues-oriented albums for Sire Records, but when he decided to experiment with ways to incorporate his other love, rap, into his musical range, everyone around him balked. Thomas walked away from the Sire deal and spent two years in Europe, honing his new sound, finding receptive audiences, and even recording several tracks with Scandinavian musicians. He returned to America, signed with Private Records, and released the album 21st Century Blues...From da 'Hood, on which he was able to give his new sound free rein. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide