Amil

Amil is a female rapper from New York whose vocals were featured on the popular rap singles "Can I Get A..." and "Jigga What?" by Jay-Z. She is the child of a black father and a European/Cherokee mother, raised in all five boroughs of New York. Her earliest influences were classic rap groups, such as Run-D.M.C., who she would mimic and practice rapping over when she was young. When she was 12, Amil started rapping at talent shows, beginning her local popularity as a female rap artist. In 1997, she became part of the group Major Coins, through which she met rapper Jay-Z. At the time Jay-Z was recording his third album, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, and wanted one of the women in Major Coins to do vocals on the album. By chance, Amil accompanied the group member to the studio, and Jay-Z asked her to freestyle on the album. Soon after Major Coins broke up, Amil decided to follow a solo career. She became a part of the group associated with Jay-Z's label, Roc-A-Fella, joining the 1999 Hard Knock Life Tour. After the tour she appeared as a guest on albums for Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, and Funkmaster Flex. Amil released her first solo project through Roc-A-Fella, All Money Is Legal, in late 2000.