Vincenzo Luvineri, better known as Vinnie Paz (formerly known as Ikon the Verbal Hologram), is a Italian-American rapper and the lyricist behind the Philadelphia underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. He is also the frontman of the hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs.
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 UFOs. His more recent albums such as Servants in Heaven Kings in Hell show 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. Raised Catholic, Vinnie Paz is now Muslim, which plays a major role in many of his lyrics. Vinnie is also a heavy metal fan, and occasionally uses song titles and band names in JMT tracks and lyrics.
Paz formed Army of the Pharaohs, an underground East Coast hip hop group featuring himself, Apathy, Celph Titled, Chief Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric, Planetary & Crypt the Warchild (Outerspace), King Syze, Faez One, Jus Allah, Doap Nixon, Reef the Lost Cauze, Demoz, Block Mccloud, and Des Devious, although not every artist is on every track.
Vinnie appeared on Percee P's 2007 release, Perseverance. Paz along with Guilty Simpson arets' tracks, including Paul Wall, Canibus, Sabac Red, Pumpkinhead, Numbers, and Block McCloud.
Vinnie released his first solo album Season of the Assassin on June 22, 2010, which peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard rap charts. The album featured guest appearances from Paul Wall, Ill Bill, Clipse among others.
Vinnie is currently working on his next solo album God of the Serengeti, which is set to feature production from DJ Premier, The Beatminerz, The Beatnutz among others.
Discography Season of the Assassin (2010) God of the Serengeti (2012)
Collaboration albums Heavy Metal Kings (2011) (with Ill Bill) Heavy Metal Kings vs. DJ Muggs album (2012)
