Eldo

Eldo is the stage name of Polish rapper and radio journalist Leszek Kaźmierczak, co-founder of successful Polish hip-hop group <a href="spotify:artist:3FG9apUVqIpXjhA9soXhgf">Grammatik</a>. Noted for his poetic lyrics and ambitious, genre-traversing productions, Eldo has also been the subject of controversy, due to his harsh criticism of the Polish hip-hop scene as well as his conservative political views. Eldo initially became interested in hip-hop through breakdancing and graffiti, but decided to start rapping in 1997, forming <a href="spotify:artist:3FG9apUVqIpXjhA9soXhgf">Grammatik</a> with fellow MC Jotuze. The group's self-released debut EP was released in 1998, and was expanded into a full-length on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Blend+Records%22">Blend Records</a> the following year. Follow-up Światła Miasta, released by <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22T1-Teraz%22">T1-Teraz</a> in 2000, was a massive success, hitting number five on the Polish album charts. The group ceased activity, and Eldo began his solo career, releasing debut full-length Opowieść O Tym, Co Tu Dzieje Się Naprawdę, also on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22T1-Teraz%22">T1-Teraz</a>, in 2001. He became notorious for his blunt opinions on Polish hip-hop, and competed in several freestyle battle rap competitions. Second album Eternia appeared on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Blend+Records%22">Blend Records</a> in 2003, and was a Top Ten hit on the Polish album charts. <a href="spotify:artist:3FG9apUVqIpXjhA9soXhgf">Grammatik</a> reunited in 2004, releasing the EP Reaktywacja that year on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Embargo+Nagrania%22">Embargo Nagrania</a>, followed by full-length 3 in 2005. In 2006, Eldo collaborated with Bitnix for Człowiek, Który Chciał Ukraść Alfabet, an eclectic album influenced by jazz, drum'n'bass, and soul. Eldo signed to <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22My+Music%22">My Music</a> in 2007 and released the solo full-length 27, which became another Top Ten success. During the same year, <a href="spotify:artist:3FG9apUVqIpXjhA9soXhgf">Grammatik</a> released their final album, Podróże. Following the group's 2008 split, Eldo released Nie Pytaj O Nią, which became his first gold-selling solo album. The 2010 follow-up Zapiski z 1001 Nocy was even more successful, hitting number one on the chart and eventually selling nearly 30,000 copies. Following concert album/DVD Live in Warsaw 2012, studio album Chi was released in 2014, and was another gold-selling number one hit. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi