Christian Faloye, AKA Ilacoin; Growing Amid Violence and Hardship to Make Inspiring Songs
Christian J. A. Faloye is an American rapper and producer. He is the grandson of Yoruba royalty, the son of Nigerian immigrants, but raised mostly by a single American mother.
Born July 15, 1973, Christian is known by his stage names Ilacoin (or simply Coin), His father, before he was 1 would move him around all of New York to Delaware to New Jersey back to Harlem, where he finally became settled at age 9, living across the street from Tupac Shakur and family. There in Harlem with the absence of a father, a latchkey child, he would begin to become familiar with the local gang and street life. His cousin Fatima Faloye of New York Undercover fame, who he refers to as his sister would be instrumental in “keeping” him out of the streets, eventually introducing him to Ahkmed Obafemi and wife, Sonoviah (parents to Tchaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon of DTP/Ebony Son) who would become his “godparents” and introduce him to Islam for the first time in his life. Ilacoin became a respected talent from Harlem in the Hip Hop culture.
As a Hip Hop dancer, which was his major cut, he frequented the New York City night life from the age of 14, socializing with the likes of Doug E. Fresh, Puff Daddy (Diddy), Mike Tyson, Red Alert and others. Supported by Rev. Mariah Britton and the Riverside Church Afterschool program he honed his skills as a leader and choreographer scoring 1st place at The ApolloAmateur night.
Soon after he began rapping, opening up for Poor Righteous Teachers, Brand Nubian, Nice and Smooth, Main Source and Leaders of The New School. He earned his name in the streets as an MC battling on the streets and in project hallways.
He was offered deals from labels since 16, he began to learn the business behind the scenes. Still running the streets, he became distracted in them until his 1st son was born. That began to help him focus, garnering the interest of Doug E Fresh. He would go on to co-write and make his first professional appearance on Fresh’s last major distributed album, Play (Ayo-Aiight, Get Da Money & Breath of Fresh Air) while raising his children as a single father. Ultimately becoming estranged from Fresh he would return to the streets. While working on Play, he would meet Easy Mo Bee (Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Big Daddy Kane, Miles Davis & etc.) and Ski Beatz (Bizzy Boyz, Original Flavor, Jay-Z, Camp Lo, etc.). Both would become instrumental in teaching him production and beat making. He would lend his talent for spotting hits to influence records on Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt (Can’t Knock The Hustle and Dead Presidents). His network consisting of many of Hip Hop’s elite would lead him to finally signing his 1st and only industry deal in 1999 with Game Recordings through Rawkus. (Eminem, Royce 5′ 9″). He would release two singles: By a Stranger (Grand Theft Auto III) featuring Black Rob (Bad Boy) and then unknown, Labba (Flipmode Squad) and Keep It Street featuring Sadat X of Brand Nubian.
He had to find his way due to differences with the label, and started Triple Bars Inc. He released his own independent single with Fat Beats Distribution called Fighting Clocks Remix featuring Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian.
Working from his own studio, he was destined to become one of Hip Hop’s newest classic beatsmiths. His childhood friend, Ron Browz lent his vocals to Ilacoin’s single, Family Business (unreleased). Ilacoin is an artist who has stayed true to Hip Hop’s independent spirit. Having problems with his publishing since the beginning of his career, he refuses to let his best work out until he establishes himself on all fronts of the music industry. The Wu-Tang Clan interpolated his music from a record he wrote with Easy Mo Bee (This, That & The 3rd; B-side to Keep It Street) on their last hit single (Take It Back) in 2008.
Most of Ilacoin’s songs are about growing up amid violence and hardship in ghettos, racism, problems in the society and conflicts with the industry and authority. Finding his voice in his community, he serves as an activist standing up for many causes including child abuse and missing children. It should also be noted that Ilacoin is the originator of the pop cultural phenomenon, The “Pause” Game.
In 2010, Ilacoin collaborated with Ski Beatz under the Dame Dash DD172 umbrella which ultimately lead to him into co-producing Smoke Dza’s “Sour Hour”, off the George Kush Da Button. Ilacoin continues to produce with a number of albums up his sleeves.
