Kur (pronounced "Core") is an American rapper that reps Philadelphia.His real name is Chauncey Shakur Ellison,and he used to rap as C.K., but changed his name to Kur.His music can be labeled as honest and introspective reality rap.^[1]

Kur (rapper) grew up in Northwest Philly.His parents were divorced and he was raised by his mother until he was 12, from then until the end of high school he lived in a more strict environment with his father.He recalls having to sneak out to record music.Kur developed his passion for music during lunchroom cyphers at W.B. Saul High School, he became known for rapping over beats like Big Sean's “Mercy” and Kanye West's “Theraflu.” He cites two of his teachers, Ms. Goodman and Ms. Graham, as inspirations in his life.Some of his biggest musical influences include State Property, Jadakiss, Jay Z, Drake, Lauryn Hill, Outkast, Lil Wayne, and Meek Mill.^[1][1]

Kur released his first mixtape in 2012 calledStraight From the Kur, he followed it up withStraight From the Kur 2.In 2013, he started to gain notoriety around Philly by name-dropping the who's who of the music scene in his "Poundcake Freestyle" series.In his own words:

" "Upside Down Cakes."

This came about around the time Drake dropped his "Pound Cake."

I had made my own idea up in Philly, rap about all the situations I had with girls in Philly, and rap about situations I wanted to happen in Philly.It

was different and I got a lot of credit because it wasn't done before.I named

girls I used to mess with, wanted to mess with, wouldn't mess with, but it was girls who were known in Philly, so it made a big impact on the Philly rap scene."

In 2014 Kur gained a lot of buzz after Philadelphia legend Meek Mill tweeted some lyrics to his "33 Shots" and stated that he wanted to get his hands on a mixtape.In 2015, Kur's track "I'm a Star" reached Timbaland who expressed his support.Shortly afterwards, G.O.O.D Music's Pusha T tweeted his appreciation for Kur's music.^[1]

In late 2016 Kur was signed to Entertainment One alongside Juelz Santana and Bobby Valentino.Since then he's had the chance to work with Dave East, Meek Mill, Lil Uzi Vert, PnB Rock, Coop Poppy, A$AP Twelvyy, Casey Veggies, Quilly, Lil Reese and other major players.Kur has released nine WorldStarHipHop exclusive videos and ten projects: ^[1][1]

-* Straight From the Kur * (2012)

-* Straight From the Kur 2 * (2012)

-* How It Never Was* (2015)

-* Have Not

• (2016 )

-* 180* (2017 )

-* Da 9 *(2017 )

-* Finally Happened

• (2017 )

-* Madness* (2018)

-* Smked Out* (2018 )

-* Shakur* (2019 )