U-God

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U-God, born Lamont Jody Hawkins on November 10, 1970, is an American rapper and a longtime member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Also known as Golden Arms and Universal-God, his stage name reflects his Five-Percent Nation beliefs. He is known for a deep, powerful voice and a delivery that can switch from rugged to smooth.

Early life
Hawkins was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and moved to Staten Island as a youth. He began as a beatboxer for Cappadonna and was friends with future Wu-Tang members Method Man, Inspectah Deck, and Raekwon. He later earned the name U-God, short for Universal God Allah, and began rapping with RZA and Ghostface Killah.

Career
- Wu-Tang Clan foundation and early recording: U-God joined Wu-Tang from its inception. He was imprisoned on firearm and drug charges in 1992 and released in January 1993, missing much of the recording of the group’s debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). He did contribute a bridge on Protect Ya Neck and the opening verse of Da Mystery of Chessboxin’.

- Wu-Tang Forever and solo work: He gained more exposure on Wu-Tang Forever (1997), including a solo track, Black Shampoo. He released Golden Arms Redemption in 1999 on Priority Records, a diverse album with gritty funk influences and Wu-Tang guest appearances. It spawned singles like Dat’s Gangsta and Bizarre, and the track Rumble was used for the Wu-Tang video game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style. The album eventually went Gold, helping him start his own label, Suppa Nigga Productions.

- Later albums and collaborations: U-God released Mr. Xcitement in 2005. In 2009, he put out Dopium, led by the single Wu-Tang with Method Man, featuring guests such as Sheek Louch, Jim Jones, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, GZA, Cappadonna, Killah Priest, and Scotty Wotty; it had production from Bloody Beetroots, Felix Cartel, and Large Professor. In 2013, The Keynote Speaker, produced in part by RZA, was released on Soul Temple Records with contributions from Styles P, Kool Keith, Method Man, RZA, GZA, and Inspectah Deck.

- Venom and later projects: In December 2016, he released a track titled Venom and announced a new album Venom, which arrived on March 30, 2018, debuting at #34 on the Billboard Rap Albums chart. Around this time he also published his autobiography Raw: My Journey Into The Wu-Tang (announced 2017, released with the album in 2018) and released a free mixtape Bring Back God II via DatPiff. He has spoken in interviews, including NPR in 2018, about his life and work.

- Other work: In 2004, he released UGod-Illa Presents: The Hillside Scramblers, a collaborative project with The Hillside Scramblers.

Personal life
Around the era of Wu-Tang Forever, U-God faced a family tragedy when his two-year-old son Dontae (who later becomes hip-hop artist iNTeLL) was struck by a stray bullet, suffering permanent kidney and hand damage. He has spoken about the impact of this event on his life and music, including its mention on Wu-Tang Clan tracks like A Better Tomorrow.

Discography (highlights)
- Studio albums:
- Golden Arms Redemption (1999)
- Mr. Xcitement (2005)
- Dopium (2009)
- The Keynote Speaker (2013)
- Venom (2018)

- Collaboration albums:
- UGodz-Illa Presents: The Hillside Scramblers (2004)

- Notable singles and songs:
- Dat’s Gangsta
- Bizarre
- Wu-Tang (lead single from Dopium)
- Rumble (used for Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style)

U-God remains a key member of Wu-Tang Clan, known for his distinctive voice, steady flow, and resilience in his music and life.