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el Axel alias F ‘EM one (Equicez) started rapping with his partner Cast back in 1993. They founded the group Xtra Crew, which eventually became Equicez (in 99). F ‘EM first got noticed as a battle rapper, and he won the Norwegian battle “Straight Spittin” in 2000, 2001 & 2003. His performance in 2000’s battle got him signed with Norwegian indie label Pass It Records. After several years of hard work (and patience), the group Equicez released two singles in 2002; Negative kids & Live from pass it. In March 2003 they released the critically acclaimed album ”State of emergency: generation EQUIZ” which got rave reviews from both the alternative press and daily newspapers in Norway. The definitive breakthrough came with the single “Barnslig” which became a national summer-hit. Equicez also got rewarded a Norwegian Grammy, one alarm award, and 3 Norwegian hip-hop awards for the album. F’ EM one aka el Axel already had a strong reputation as a live artist, and had along with partner Cast played shows all over Norway, and even Denmark. Since 2000, Axel has toured all over Norway and various other countries and done over 200 live shows. The list is quite impressive; Poland, Germany, Spain, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Chile, Denmark and Slovakia. He’s also done festivals like the Quart Festival (3 times), Slottsfjell, Øya (3 times), Aarhus Took It, Roskilde, etc. In addition he has supported/shared stage with acts as The Game, Brand Nubian, N.E.R.D., Beatnuts, Snoop Dogg, Skillz, Saian Supa Crew, Wu-Tang, Redman, Oh No, Non Phixion, Timbuktu, Latin Kings, G-Unit, Common, and the list goes on… Even though Axel haven’t released anything since the album in 2003, he has stayed relevant the whole time. Either through touring or guest appearances on other records and mixtapes. He is probably the most dedicated and hardest-working rapper in Norway. Axel gives a 100%! His solo album ”It is wha it is” is to be released on Pass It Records early 2007. It features RA the Rugged Man & Phat Kat (of Detroit/slum village fame) and Devin The Dude. Production by The Afterglow, Oh No and Nasty Kutt. The first single “Showtime” is out on Norwegian radio now. |
