Bronze Nazareth (born Justin Dante Cross; December 8, 1979 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a hip hop music producer and emcee associated with the Wu-Tang Clan. He has a solo career as an emcee and is also a part of the hip-hop group Wisemen along with his brother Kevlaar 7.
Biography
He was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Michigan State University in 2003. Around 2001, Bronze Nazareth contacted Wu-Tang producer and rapper Cilvaringz who was impressed by his work and added him to his own production team and label Ringz & Partners Inc. Bronze Nazareth, who got his name from Cilvaringz accompanied him during the recording of his debut album and was present for most of the recordings in Steubenville, Ohio and the legendary D&D Studios where Bronze first met with prominent Wu-Tang Clan affiliates 4th Disciple, Killarmy and Sunz Of Man. Eventually Cilvaringz introduced Bronze Nazareth to The RZA who was impressed by his works and added him to the Wu's in-house team. He furthered his technique and sound. Bronze went on to contribute two beats to RZA's solo album Birth of a Prince. He produced most of the 2005 compilation album Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture, released on Dreddy Kruger's label Think Differently Music. In 2006 he released his solo debut on this label titled The Great Migration to critical acclaim. It features Wu-Tang Clan affiliates such as Timbo King, Prodigal Sunn and Killa Sin. He produced the majority (11 out of 13 tracks) for Sunz Of Man member 60 Second Assassin's debut solo album Remarkable Timing, along with contributing to affiliated 9th Prince, Timbo King, and Prodigal Sunn. 9 beats were made for his group the Wisemen's second album Children Of A Lesser God released in 2010. He released his 2nd solo album in 2011 called School for the Blindman with features from Canibus, Killah Priest, The Wisemen, RZA, Masta Killa, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, La The Darkman & Willie the Kid again to critical acclaim. Furthermore, that same year he released Knowing Project Manzu with the Italian duo Project Manzu, providing all production for the album alongside various Wu-affiliates, producing his first non English work.
Discography
Albums
The Great Migration (2006) Wisemen Approaching (2007) (with Wisemen) The Unknown (2007) Original S.I.N. (2008) (with Almighty) Bronzestrumentals Vol. 1 (2009) Children Of A Lesser God (2010) (with Wisemen) School for the Blindman (2011) Knowing Project Manzu (2011) (with Project Manzu) The Migration Sessions (2012) The 2nd Coming (2013) (with Almighty) Phillie (Bronze Nazareth Produced) (2013) Blenders - Bronze Nazareth (2013) The Living Daylights - Willie the Kid and Bronze Nazareth (2014) Time Flys, Life Dies... Phoenix Rise (2015) (with Canibus) Instrumental Mourning (EP, 2016) Gravitas (2019) (with KXNG Crooked) Bundle Raps (2021) (with Leaf Dog)
Mixtapes
Thought For Food Vol. 1 (2005) Thought For Food Vol. 2 (2008) Thought For Food Vol. 3 (2014)
Appearances
Various artists - Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture (Studio album released October 14, 2005) 12. "Street Corners" (Performed by Bronze Nazareth, and Byata) 19. "Black Dawn" (Performed by Bronze Nazareth) Hell Razah - Renaissance Child (Studio album released February 20, 2007) 05. "Los Pepes Pt. 1" (featuring Bronze Nazareth) "Gun Barrell Prison" - Shaka Amazulu The 7th featuring Bronze Nazareth (2008) "Brain Swell" - Chronicredeye featuring Bronze Nazareth, Franko Fraize & Lyrical T "Old Flicks" - Shaka Amazulu The 7th featuring Bronze Nazareth & Cilvaringz Cilvaringz "7 Pounds feat. Bronze Nazareth" - Genius/GZA (Unofficial remix released on the internet) "Thirsty Vampires - Shaka Amazulu The 7th ft. Jedi Mind Tricks & Bronze Nazareth, Produced by Bronze. "Story of Sadness" - Tragic Allies feat. Bronze Nazareth (The Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil) "Ask About Me" - Kevlaar 7 & Woodenchainz ft Styles P & Bronze Nazareth "3 Bricks Apollo Figures Remix" ft Ghostface Killah & Raekwon "Times Change" - Anthony Vex ft Bronze Nazareth.
Production
2003
The RZA - Birth of a Prince (Studio album released October 7, 2003) 13. "A Day To God Is 1,000 Years" 15. "The Birth"