Safaree Lloyd Samuels (born July 4, 1981) is an American reality television actor and rapper. In the early 2000s, he was a hype man for the hip hop group Hoodstars, which included rapper Nicki Minaj. He later gained public attention for dating and being a hype man for Minaj until 2014. In 2016, he joined the cast of the VH1 reality show Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, and then Love & Hip Hop: New York in 2017. He also joined Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and Love & Hip Hop: Miami, making him the only Love & Hip Hop cast member to have appeared in all four shows. As a solo artist, he's released one studio album and five mixtapes.
Safaree Samuels | |
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 Samuels in 2019 | |
| Born | Safaree Lloyd Samuels July 4, 1981 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2000–present |
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| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editSafaree Lloyd Samuels was born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on July 4, 1981, to immigrant Jamaican parents.[2]
Career
editSamuels started as a hype man for the New York hip hop group Hoodstars, formed in the early 2000s by rapper Loustar, who recruited rappers Seven Up and Nicki Minaj.[3][4] Samuels was a friend of Loustar from high school. All group members did not want Samuels in the group, but Loustar's father, Bowlegged Lou from Full Force, recommended that they use a hype man, so Loustar decided to keep Samuels.[3][5] He stated that Samuels was "never really in the group" and was around them as his friend: "He never really had no talent as far as writing ... [with his voice] he emulates who the person he's following ... he was always the hype man, he was never no writing, never no talent, no nothing, he was just what he was, he just hung around."[3][6] In 2004, the group recorded the entrance song for WWE Diva Victoria, "Don't Mess With", which was featured on the compilation album ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol. 6.[7] Minaj started her solo career after the group disbanded,[5] and Samuels, who dated Minaj, worked for her as a hype man.[6][8]
In 2012, Samuels appeared in Minaj's music video for "Stupid Hoe".[9] He is in the writing credits of three songs from Minaj's second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012) for ad libs. In 2015, he released the mixtapes, It Is What It Is and It Is What It Is, Vol. 2.[10][11] In early 2016, he made appearance in the second season of K. Michelle: My Life.[12]
In May 2016, it was announced that Samuels joined the cast of the VH1 reality show Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood for its third season, which premiered in August 2016.[13][14] In July 2016, he released a new mixtape titled Real Yard Vibes.[15] In August 2017, it was announced that Samuels would compete in the first season of VH1's Scared Famous, which premiered in October 2017.[16]
In February 2018, Samuels was given a Blue & Bougie Impact Award by Blue & Bougie NY for representing Jamaica on VH1.[17] That month, a nude picture and video of Samuels was leaked online.[18] In 2019, he debuted the "Anaconda" line of dildos molded from his own penis.[19] In 2020, Samuels launched an OnlyFans account sharing his amateur pornographic videos for $20 per month.[20][21]
Personal life
editSamuels dated rapper Nicki Minaj from 2003 to 2014.[22][23] In 2011, a police report was filed after Samuels hit Minaj on her face with a suitcase.[24] In 2016, he attempted to sue Minaj, claiming that she did not credit him on her album The Pinkprint.[25] Minaj said that he tried to extort her, had stolen money from her, "gained so much off of [her] name" and "refuses to let go", and that she asked him to stop trying to contact her.[26] She refuted his claim of writing, stating that neither he nor anyone ever wrote her raps.[27][8] Samuels dropped the lawsuit.[28]
Samuels became engaged to actress Erica Mena on Christmas Eve 2018.[29] The couple married on October 7, 2019.[30] Their daughter was born on February 3, 2020.[31] On May 4, 2021, he announced that they were expecting their second child.[32] Later that month, Mena filed for divorce from Samuels.[33] On June 28, 2021, he announced the birth of their second child, a boy.[33] They were officially divorced in 2022.[34] He has since dated Love & Hip Hop co star Amara La Negra.[35][36]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details |
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Mixtapes
edit| Title | Details |
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| It Is What It Is[10] |
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| It Is What It Is, Vol. 2[11] |
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| Real Yard Vibes[15] |
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| Fur Coat Vol. 1[37] |
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| IDGAF*** |
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Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015, 2017 | Wild 'n Out | Himself | Special guest |
| 2016 | K. Michelle: My Life | Guest star | |
| 2016–2018 | Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood | Supporting (season 3) Main cast (season 4) Guest (season 5) | |
| 2017–2020 | Love & Hip Hop: New York | Supporting (season 8) Main cast (seasons 9–10) | |
| 2017 | Scared Famous | Contestant | |
| 2018 | Leave It to Stevie | Supporting (season 2) | |
| Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies | Guest, 1 episode: "Dadchelor Party" | ||
| 2020–2023 | Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta | Supporting (seasons 9—11) Main cast (seasons 10a–10b) | |
| Love & Listings | Guest star | ||
| 2021 | Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked | ||
| 2021–2023 | Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition | Himself | Main cast (seasons 2–3) |
| 2022 | Bobby I Love You, Purrr | Episode: "Stay Soft" | |
| 2023 | I Got a Story to Tell | Detective Hassan | Episode: "I'm So Fateful" |
| 2023–2024 | Love & Hip Hop: Miami | Himself | Main cast (season 5) |
| 2024 | House of Villains | Main cast (season 2) | |
| TBA | Ballin 2024 | Semaj Anderson | Pre—production |
| TBA | Schemers | Donovan | Pre—production |
References
edit- ^ "Jamaican Passport". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "Safaree Defends His Man Twerks, Says He's Not Gay — Just Jamaican". Bossip. July 22, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Loustar on Forming Hoodstars w/ Nicki Minaj, Safaree Never Writing for Nicki". VladTV. September 18, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Darling Nicki". New York Post. March 27, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj Once Shut Down a Record Deal After Label Suggested Juelz Santana As Her Ghostwriter". The Source. March 13, 2020. In the embedded YouTube video, the topic is discussed at 22:25. Archived from the original on October 20, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "A Timeline of Nicki Minaj and Safaree's Relationship". Complex. August 15, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Columbia Records releases ThemeAddict: WWE The Music V6 in stores now!". November 18, 2004. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj and Funk Flex Hash Out Their Differences in 80-Minute Interview". Complex. August 14, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Gets Ferocious In 'Stupid H–' Video". Rapfix.mtv.com. January 20, 2012. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Safaree Drops His Mixtape 'It Is What It Is'". The Source. April 9, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Safaree Samuels – It Is What It Is Vol. 2". HotNewHipHop. December 7, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ ""I Dont Want No Big Thang Poking Me, I Need My Walls": K.Michelle And Safaree Samuels Link Up To Talk Bae Situations". VH1. February 2, 2016. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ^ "Amidst Lawsuit Drama, Safaree Samuels Reportedly Joins 'Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood'". Vibe. May 16, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ "Safaree Joins Love & Hip Hop Hollywood To Prove He's More Than Just Nicki Minaj's Ex". VH1. August 3, 2016. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Safaree Samuels Drops "Real Yard Vibes" Mixtape". HipHopDX. July 19, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ Bellino, Damian. "VH1 Announces Scared Famous Starring Tiffany Pollard, Drita D'Avanzo, Alaska Thunderf-uck, and More!". VH1 News. Viacom International. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
- ^ "Safaree, Sean Kingston Collab 'Paradise' Featured On #1 Billboard Reggae Album". Jamaicans.com. February 19, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ "Safaree's Leaked Nudes Send Internet Into Thirst-Fueled Frenzy". HipHopDX. February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- ^ Safaree Samuels debuts life-size 'Anaconda' sex toy line
- ^ "Nicki Minaj's ex Safaree claps back after getting mocked for opening an OnlyFans account". Metro. May 11, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- ^ "Erica Mena Does The Unthinkable To Safaree On OnlyFans: "Satisfying My Husband For The First Time Ever On Here!"". SOHH. July 21, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj's Ex Safaree Pulls Up to Pink Friday 2 World Tour With All Love: 'I'm Proud No Cap'". The Source. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Watch Nicki Minaj's Breakup-Inspired 'Pinkprint Movie'". Rolling Stone. December 20, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ "Police Report: Safaree Samuels Struck Nicki Minaj With Suitcase". HipHopWired. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj's Ex Disses Meek Mill, Claims 'Pinkprint' Writing Credits". Rap-Up. July 28, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Addresses Lawsuit From Ex-Boyfriend Safaree Samuels On Twitter". The Fader. May 11, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Responds to Safaree Samuels' Diss, Calls Her Ex a Bitch Ass With No Intellect—Watch". E! Online. July 30, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Samuels Talks Lawsuit Against Nicki Minaj, Says Meek Mill Played a 'Big Part' In Breakup". Billboard. October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Santi, Christina (December 26, 2018). "'Love & Hip Hop' Stars Safaree & Erica Mena Are Engaged". Ebony.com. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ Jackson, Vannessa (October 8, 2019). "Erica Mena and Safaree Samuels Get Married". Eonline.com. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Love & Hip Hop: New York's Safaree Samuels and Erica Mena Welcome First Daughter Together". People.com.
- ^ "Love & Hip Hop's Safaree Samuels, Wife Erica Mena Expecting Baby No. 2: 'Time to Get Neutered'". People.com. May 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "Safaree Samuels Welcomes Baby No. 2 with Estranged Wife Erica Mena amid Divorce: 'Another Me'". People. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "'Chile Worry About Erica and Them Kids': Safaree Receives Backlash After Resharing a Throwback Photo with Nicki Minaj on Her 40th Birthday". Atlanta Black Star. December 9, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "'This Is Weird': Safaree Samuels Goes Full R. Kelly During 'Love & Hip Hop: Miami' with Infamous 'I'm Fighting For My Life' Scene". Atlanta Black Star. March 13, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Amara La Negra Addresses Safaree Dating Rumors; 'We're Testing the Waters'". BET. July 7, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Fur Coat Vol.1 by Safaree". iTunes. November 20, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2018.