Torch (American rapper)

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Torch
Birth name Kevin Christopher Belnavis
Born (1982-07-12) July 12, 1982 (age 41)
Bronx, New York City, New York, United States
Origin Miami, Florida
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper
Labels Maybach Music Group, Def Jam Records
Associated acts Rick Ross, Triple C's, Jim Jones, Young Buck, Busta Rhymes, Trey Songz
Website www.torchisny.com

Kevin Christopher Belnavis (born July 12, 1982), better known by his stage name Torch, is an American rapper signed to Maybach Music Group as part of the group Triple C's.[1] He grew up in the Castle Hill[2] area of the Bronx before moving to Florida as a teen. While living in Miami, he met William Leonard Roberts II who would come to be better known as Rick Ross, a Miami rapper called Gunplay and rapper Young Breed; together, the four would go on to form the southern rap group Triple C's (aka Carol City Cartel).[3]

Childhood

Torch was born Kevin Christopher Belnavis to his parents Lorna and Christopher Belnavis on July 12, 1982 in the Castle Hill area of the Bronx in New York.[2] Spending most of his childhood on the streets of this rough neighborhood earned Kevin the nickname "Torch" for his rampant and unpredictable misbehavior.[2] Fearful of the dangerous and seemingly predictable path her son was on, Torch’s mother sent him to Florida to live with his older sister.[4] While living in Miami, Torch met his future Triple C’s group members Rick Ross and Gunplay.[2]

Education

Though skilled with words and wit, without much in the way of role models to look up to, Torch struggled academically. Having attended PS 136 and Junior High School 125, he was expelled from three high schools before finding an advocate in the principal at the fourth. At Lehman High School the school principal helped Torch catch up in his classes and makeup months of neglected work to graduate on time with his class. It was also in high school that Torch me Kenta “Geter K” Geter, future VP of Maybach Music Group.[5]

Incarceration

In 2005, Torch served a brief sentence in a New York state prison on drug charges.[6] Shortly upon his release, Rick Ross shot to fame with his platinum single “Hustlin’” which Torch describes as the first indication that his life could be something bigger than a stereotype played out on the streets.[2]

Music

Triple C’s

Newly out of prison, Torch joined Rick Ross, Gunplay and Young Breed to form rap group Triple C’s. The group was featured on Ross’s certified gold albums, Port of Miami (2006) and Trilla (2008)[7] and their own first studio album, Custom Cars & Cycles was released in 2009. The album reached peak positions of number two on the Billboard Rap Album chart and number 44 on Billboard's Top 200.[8] After releasing a series of independent mixtapes, Torch was given music's official stamp of approval from L.A. Reid who dubbed the rapper, "what hip-hop's been missing.[9]

Specialyst Entertainment

Torch is also CEO of Specialyst Entertainment, a music and artist management company based out of New York.[2]

Discography

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
" Street Judge" 2010 Masspike Miles Supafly
"Home Run" 2011 Young Buck, Young Breed Bond Money
"Main Event" Masspike Miles The Road Less Traveled
"Live And Let Die" 2012 DJ Kay Slay, A-Mafia, Shoota Grown Man Hip-Hop
"U Can Do It" 2013 J-Hood, Project Pat, Lil' Flip, Ron Browz N/A
"Good Alcohol"[15] Young Breed, Gunplay Young Nigga Old Soul
"Count Your Blessings"[16] DJ Kay Slay, Vado, Uncle Murda Grown Man Hip Hop Part 2 (Sleepin' With The Enemy)
"FTBS"[17] Torae Admission of Guilt
"Wherever I Fall"[18] 2013 Richard Osborne Nothing Personal
"No Sympathy"[19] 2014 DJ Kay Slay, N.O.R.E., Saigon The Rise of a City
"Fort Apache" [20] DJ Kay Slay, Fred the Godson, Oun-P The Last Hip Hop Disciple

References

  1. ↑ "About Maybach Music." Maybach Music Group. http://maybachmusic.net/?mmg=about
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Torch Interview. Music is Life Magazine. Nov. 2010. http://www.musicislifemagazine.com/features/2010/november/interviews/torch.php
  3. ↑ "Caramanica, Jon. "In the Hip-Hop World, Blogs Mean Business." The New York Times. 27 May. 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/28/arts/music/rick-ross-and-the-maybach-music-group.html
  4. ↑ "Exclusive Interview With Rapper Torch Of Triple C’s (Maybach Music Group)." My Buzzworthy. 5 Sep. 2010. http://mybuzzworthy.com/2010/09/05/exclusive-interview-with-rapper-torch-of-triple-c%E2%80%99s-maybach-music-group/
  5. ↑ "The Annual A&R Power Summit."2012. http://www.thearpowersummit.com/panelists/
  6. ↑ "Torch Interview." Lumiere. 13 Jan. 2010. http://www.lumieremagazine.com/jan/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48:torch-interview&catid=37:interviews&Itemid=210
  7. ↑ Richburg, Chris. "Rick Ross' Triple C's Ink Deal With Def Jam." Allhiphop.com. Ed. Nolan Strong. 4 April. 2009. http://allhiphop.com/2009/04/04/rick-ross-triple-cs-ink-deal-with-def-jam/
  8. ↑ "Chart History." Billboard.com. Triple C's.http://www.billboard.com/artist/430469/triple-cs/chart
  9. ↑ "Triple C’s Torch Talks Ghostwriting, Being A “UFO”, Ross’ Chess Game On Current Rappers & MMG’s Future." Ms. Drama. 26 Jan. 2012. Rapper AJK is set to do a remix for the single "Another Cloud". http://msdramatv.com/2012/01/26/triple-cs-torch-talks-ghostwriting-being-a-ufo-ross-chess-game-on-current-rappers-mmgs-future/
  10. ↑ Markman, Rob. "Maybach Music's Torch Puts 'Little Flip' On U.F.O. Mixtape: Rick Ross signee talks to Mixtape Daily about new release, featuring Busta Rhymes and Trey Songz." MTV. 23 May. 2011. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664441/torch-ufo-mixtape.jhtml
  11. ↑ Santos, Nate. "Mixtape: Torch x DJ Scream - UFO Vol. 2." The Source. Ed. Andrieux, Amy Aimstar. 25 Feb. 2012. http://www.thesource.com/articles/202684/Mixtape%3A-Torch-x-DJ-Scream---UFO-Vol.-2/
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