Month: May 2017

Nine is the stage name of Derrick Keyes (September 19, 1969), an emcee and protégé of DJ Funkmaster Flex from The Bronx, New York. Keyes got his break in late 1993 as a featured guest on Funkmaster Flex and the Ghetto Celebs’ “Six Million Ways to Die”. The verse showcased Nine’s harsh, gravelly flow and the artist signed a deal with the now-defunct Profile Records. He is known for the singles “Whutcha Want?” (1994) and “Any Emcee” (1995)

Keyes originally recorded under the Moniker 9MM (or Nine Double M) before changing his name to simply Nine. He stated, “I didn’t want to be just be named after the gun (9mm).” His stage name refers to his date of birth (9/19/1969), his shoe size, and his lucky number.
Emcee Nas recently referred to 9 Double M on the track “Where are They Now?” from his album Hip Hop Is Dead. He is also referred to on the track “Twinz (Deep Cover ’98)” from Big Pun’s debut album Capital Punishment, where Fat Joe says “Boogie down major like Nine” referring to Nine’s hometown, the Bronx.

Portions of Nine’s “Whutcha Want?” were recently featured in advertisements by US automobile manufacturer Jeep. The ads used the song “Steady Bounce” by KRS-One from his album Strickly for da Breakdancers & Emceez, which used a sample which from Nine’s “Whutcha want?” According to an interview conducted with HalftimeOnline.com, Jeep never sought permission to use the sample and Nine is pursuing legal action.

Nine also acted in an episode of New York Undercover (1997) .

The album “Nine Livez”, produced by Rob Lewis and Tony Stoute, generated several underground hits including “Whutcha Want?”, “Redrum”, “Ova Confident” and “Any Emcee”. The album, considered by many hip-hop aficionados to be a classic underground hip-hop album, is sought after by collectors. Read more