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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING AK AND BELO ZERO OF THE FAMED GROUP “DO OR DIE”
WHEREAS, Do or Die is a rap group from the Westside of Chicago that consist of members, AK and Belo Zero (originally including N.A.R.D. who is pursuing other opportunities to help new artists succeed). Do or Die was originally a dance group inspired to rap by N.W.A., Dr. Dre, Tupac and Biggie Smalls. Visually, Do or Die’s stage performance and presence is unparalleled in the rap game; and
WHEREAS, Do or Die initially experienced mainstream success with their first album “Picture This” which included their platinum single which peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100. This album and single became a big hit and sparked the group's signing by Houston's Rap-A-Lot Records. The album was certified Platinum, and launched the group, as well as fellow Chicago rapper Twista, who was featured on the track, into superstardom; and
WHEREAS, Do or Die went on to release several other charting albums throughout the early 2000's, including 2000's Victory, which featured E-40, Ja Rule, and Outlawz to name a few, and 2002's Back 2 the Game, which peaked at #64 on the Billboard 200 and #25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Belo released a solo EP entitled “The Truth.” Do or Die was featured on countless projects from various artists, in addition to touring all over the country, and in 2009, they appeared on Twista's single "Yo Body" off his 2009 album, Category F5; and
WHEREAS, AK continues to make Do or Die music launching his own record label Roundtable Records, and was recently featured on VH1’s Hip Hop Honors delivering his verse in honor of the legendary success of James Prince the founder of Rap-A-Lot ; and
WHEREAS, Do or Die is consistently working their magic on April 15, 2015, Twista and Do or Die announced that they had completed work on a new collaborative EP together entitled Withdrawal (EP). The EP was released on May 19, 2015 and it contains 6 tracks, including a single entitled "Aquafina", for which a video was released; and
WHEREAS, after more than 20 years in the music industry, Do or Die never forgot the conditions that they grew up in or where they are from. Motivated to be of service in their community, Do or Die participates in a variety of community outreach programs such as speaking at schools and prisons, volunteering at churches, faith based organizations with future plans to open a music studio to provide opportunity to up and coming local artist; and
WHEREAS, Do or Die additional community work includes the following: mentorship of young boys and girls, participating in Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheons and Food giveaways for the community and speaking to at risk youth throughout Chicago and across the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Board of Commissioners and on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County takes great pleasure in honoring and celebrating AK and Belo Zero of Do or Die for their career in music, philanthropic community service and herewith express our sincere gratitude and best wishes on all of their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution is spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same is tendered to AK and Belo Zero of Do or Die in honor of this auspicious occasion.
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