Santiago x The Natural

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Santiago x The Natural
GenresHip hop
Years active2011–present
Members
  • Lawrence Santiago
  • Jeff Stephens

Santiago x The Natural is a hip hop duo consisting of vocalist Lawrence Santiago and rapper Jeff Stephens.[1] The duo met at the University of Notre Dame and began collaborating in 2004.[2][3] Santiago x The Natural officially formed in 2011.[1] RedEye named Santiago x The Natural one of the top unsigned artists in 2012.[2][4]

History[edit]

Jeff Stephens was raised by his grandmother in the South Side of Chicago.[5] During his junior year of high school, Stephens was selected to attend a week-long camp at the University of Notre Dame and knew he wanted to attend the university after high school.[5] Stephens' early life influenced his musical and professional career.[6] He mentors young students with his rap music and works with nonprofits to expand the opportunities of underprivileged youth.[6]

Santiago and Stephens met as students at the University of Notre Dame.[1][3] The two met at the university's dining hall when Stephens asked to use Santiago's recording studio.[2][3] Santiago, then a fourth year architecture student, had transformed his dorm into a recording studio for his rock band, Station One.[2] Stephens and Santiago began working together after Santiago heard Stephens' mixed-tapes.[2]

After graduating from Notre Dame, Santiago was in a rock band and worked on his own music while pursuing his career as an architect in Los Angeles, California.[1][3] Santiago collaborated with Stephens for a couple of tracks before officially forming Santiago x The Natural in 2011.[1][3] During the summer of 2012, Santiago left his architectural career in Los Angeles and moved to Chicago, Illinois where Stephens works as an attorney.[2][7]

In September 2012, the University of Notre Dame featured Santiago x The Natural at a pep rally.[7] RedEye named the duo one of Chicago's top unsigned artists in 2012.[2] The duo placed second in RedEye's Rock n' Vote band competition in 2012. That year they released the single "Got A Hold of Me".[8] The single was selected to be played on ESPN Unite and ESPN First Take.[3][9]

Santiago x The Natural performed with rapper Talib Kweli in April 2013.[2][10] ESPN licensed Santiago x The Natural's song "Warriors" for the official BCS national championship playlist[1] and Friday Night Fights boxing.[2][11] The single was also featured on the Spirit of Notre Dame album[12] and chosen as the official theme song for the Minnesota Swarm, a professional lacrosse team.[3][13]

In June 2013, the duo performed at the North by Northeast music festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[14]

The Natural has opened for Akon, Clips, Mýa and Cake.[13][15][16] Santiago has opened for Wyclef Jean, Lyfe Jennings and Avant.[13][16]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Frye, Andy (2013-01-03). "Santiago x The Natural = Notre Dame pride". ESPN. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rodio, Michael (Spring 2013). "Partners in rhyme". Notre Dame Magazine. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Metz, Elle. "Young Alums Making a Musical Mark". University of Notre Dame. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  4. ^ "Santiago x The Natural". Redeye. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  5. ^ a b Rubin, Bonnie Miller (2013-12-18). "Can life still be a dream in America?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  6. ^ a b Trice, Dawn Turner (2007-08-13). "Young men took challenge and ran with it". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  7. ^ a b "The Chicago rapping attorney: Jeffrey Stephens". WGN-TV. 2012-11-21. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  8. ^ "Santiago x The Natural "Got A Hold of Me"". OddMenOut. 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  9. ^ "Amiri featured on 'ESPN First Take'". ESPN. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  10. ^ "Talib Kweli at Double Door, 4/13/13". Music. Defined. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  11. ^ "Fun., Pitbull have songs on the BCS game". ESPN. 2013-01-06. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  12. ^ "Spirit of Notre Dame". The O'Neill Brothers. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  13. ^ a b c "Santiago x The Natural". Sonicbids. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  14. ^ Moase, Celia (2013-06-15). "NXNE 2013: Wednesday, June 12". ForgetTheBox. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  15. ^ Costa, Bob (2005-08-24). "Anticipation builds for The Show 2005". The Observer. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  16. ^ a b "Santiago x The Natural". do312. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
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