Kur

Philadelphia rapper KUR, whose name is pronounced "core," delivers hardcore street narratives through intense lyrics and a rapid flow, embracing a raw, aggressive style rooted in grit and honesty. Emerging as a local favorite, he built momentum throughout the early 2010s until a co-sign from fellow Philly native Meek Mill elevated his profile. After releasing a series of mixtapes, he achieved a breakthrough in 2015 with How It Never Was. He later paired with New York rapper Dave East on the 2016 EP Born Broke, Die Rich and sustained his trajectory through projects such as 2019's Shakur and 2024's THURL.

Born Chauncey Ellison in uptown Philadelphia, he endured a rough upbringing that drew him into street life at an early age. As a teenager he began writing songs and refined his flow by studying videos online. In 2012, while finishing high school, he dropped his debut mixtape Straight from the Kur and promptly followed it with Straight from the Kur 2. Maintaining a steady output of singles, he earned support from Meek Mill for "33 Shots," which broadened his reach. That groundwork led to the 2015 release of How It Never Was, featuring Omelly, Guordan Banks, and Meek Mill, along with his fourth mixtape, Finally Happened.

The following year KUR signed with Entertainment One, issued the Have Not EP, and joined Dave East for Born Broke, Die Rich, an album the two recorded in just two days. He kept the pace going in 2017 with the nine-track project 180, which included appearances by Casey Veggies and Chynna of A$AP Mob. In 2019 he unveiled both Shakur and Spare Me. The EP Young 79 and the album It Shouldn't Be Like This arrived in 2020, followed by a handful of singles in 2021. Those tracks preceded the 2022 releases The Hold Over EP and Loyal to a Fault LP. KUR returned in 2024 with the full-length THURL, which featured Meek Mill on the track "Confidence Level."