Vincenzo Luviner, better known as Vinnie Paz, is an American rapper from Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Vinnie Paz is a member of the rap group Jedi Mind Tricks. He works with rappers such as Ill Bill, Apathy, Celph Titled, Chief Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric, Planetary & Crypt the Warchild, Diabolic, King Syze, Faez One, Jus Allah, Doap Nixon, Reef the Lost Cauze, Demoz, Block McCloud, and Des Devious.
Personal life
Born as Vincenzo Luvineri on October 5, 1977 (age 37), Vinnie Paz has Italian/Sicilian ancestry from both sides of his family. He was raised Roman Catholic before converting to Islam. He changed his surname from "Luvineri" to "Luviner" in order to Arabicize it.
Vinnie Paz is also a fan of heavy metal music, and some of his hip hop music has a heavy metal tone or background.
Music career
Originally taking the pseudonym of Ikon the Verbal Hologram, he later changed his name to Vinnie Paz, after the Rhode Island boxer Vinny Pazienza. Paz originally started rapping with fellow Jedi Mind Tricks member Stoupe in his basement. Paz is known for his raw and gritty lyrical delivery. He is also known for his extensive use of studio punch-ins, seldom recording a verse in one take. His lyrics frequently contain references to religion, war, politics, mythology, conspiracy theories, the paranormal, and UFO's. His more recent albums such as Servants in Heaven Kings in Hell shows a more obvious approach to politics and world issues. This gritty style of Paz became apparent with the release of Violent by Design, and has become progressively more defined since its release. Vinnie Paz has a number of aliases, including Louie Doggs, Vinnie P, The Pazmanian Devil, Pazienza, Frank Vinatra, Vin Jong Ill, Rumplestiltsvin, Muhammad Al Vinejahd, and Vin Laden.
Collaborations
Vinnie appeared on Percee P's 2007 release, Perseverance. Paz along with Guilty Simpson arets' tracks, including Mr. Lif, Canibus, Sabac Red, Pumpkinhead, and Block McCloud. He also appeared on Diabolic's debut album Liar & A Thief.
Discography
Solo albums
- Season of the Assassin (2010)
- God of the Serengeti (2011)
Collaboration albums
- Heavy Metal Kings (2011) (with Ill Bill)
Mixtapes and EPs
- The Sound and the Fury (2006)
- Before the Assassin (2010)
- Prayer for The Assassin (2010)
- Fires of the Judas Blood (2010)