Arabian Prince Bio
Kim Renard Nazel, known professionally as Arabian Prince and Professor X, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ, and record producer. Born on June 17, 1965, in Compton, California, he is best known as a founding member of the legendary hip-hop group N.W.A., helping shape the sound of gangsta rap during the late 1980s. Active in music since 1984, Arabian Prince has also built a parallel career in technology, working in special effects, 3D animation, and video games.
Early Life and Background
Kim Renard Nazel was born in Compton, California, on June 17, 1965. He is the son of Joseph “Skippy” Nazel Jr., an African American author and radio talk show host. His mother, a piano teacher and classical musician, introduced him to music at a young age and nurtured his early interest in sound and performance. His family made deliberate efforts to keep him away from the gang culture that affected much of Compton, enrolling him in a Catholic school and encouraging him to play football.
Nazel found his earliest musical outlet at the radio station where his father hosted his talk show. Using the station’s equipment, he began assembling mixtapes that he would sell to classmates. This hands-on access to recording gear gave him an early understanding of production and DJing. He later graduated from Junípero Serra High School in nearby Gardena, California.
Path to Music
As a teenager, Nazel adopted the stage name DJ Prince and continued selling mixtapes at school. While working at a pet shop at a Lennox, California mall, the store’s owner, Sam Nassif, asked him to DJ a party at a local community dance hall. The event was successful, and Nassif went on to invest in the venue, renaming it “The Cave” and later “The Basement.” Nazel hosted events there for more than three years, even continuing after his N.W.A. years. Nassif also funded DJ Prince’s first record, “Strange Life.”
When he was 15 years old, Nazel changed his stage name to Arabian Prince at Skateland USA, the same skating rink later credited with launching N.W.A. The name came from a fan’s suggestion during a conversation with Egyptian Lover. In 1984, Arabian Prince began working with Bobby Jimmy and the Critters, and he soon produced the hit single and album “Supersonic” for J.J. Fad, establishing himself as a rising producer in the West Coast hip-hop scene.
Arabian Prince Career
Early Career (1984–1986)
Arabian Prince began his professional music career in 1984, working with the comedy rap group Bobby Jimmy and the Critters. His production work on J.J. Fad’s “Supersonic” became a defining early achievement, helping the track rise on national charts. These years allowed him to develop his skills as a DJ, producer, and performer within the Los Angeles hip-hop community.
During this period, he also built a reputation as a club host and mixtape creator, performing regularly at venues around Southern California. His work behind the turntables and on the synthesizer made him a sought-after collaborator for emerging West Coast artists.
Breakthrough (1987–1989)
In 1987, Arabian Prince became a founding member of N.W.A., helping with production on several tracks and appearing as a vocalist on “Panic Zone” from the compilation album N.W.A. and the Posse. He contributed technical production work to numerous tracks on the group’s debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton (1989), though his vocal appearance was limited to the final track, “Something 2 Dance 2.” That song was later removed from some pressings of the album due to a dispute.
Arabian Prince left N.W.A. in January 1989 over royalty and contract disagreements, shortly before Straight Outta Compton was released. The album went on to become a landmark release in hip-hop history, though he had already departed the group. Following his exit, he launched a solo career.
His first solo album, Brother Arab, was released in 1989 on the EMI major label. The album peaked at No. 193 on the Billboard 200 chart, and its lead single “She’s Got a Big Posse” reached the top ten on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart. His second album, Where’s My Bytches, followed in 1993 as a self-released project without major-label support.
Notable Works and Milestones
Arabian Prince’s signature solo work includes Brother Arab (1989) and Where’s My Bytches (1993), both of which showcased his blend of electro, hip-hop, and funk production. His contributions to N.W.A. and the Posse (1987) and Straight Outta Compton (1989) remain part of his most recognized catalog. In 2015, a biopic titled Straight Outta Compton was released, though Arabian Prince was not portrayed in the film despite having played a central role in the group’s formation. The following year, N.W.A. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but he was not included or mentioned in the induction.
Later Career and Collaborations (2000s–Present)
In the mid-2000s, Arabian Prince returned to releasing music under the alias Professor X, working with the Dutch label Clone Records. In 2007, he performed as a DJ on the 2K Sports Holiday Bounce Tour alongside artists from the Stones Throw label, and the label released a compilation of his electro-rap material from the 1980s in 2008. One of his songs was also featured on the 2007 video game College Hoops 2K8.
In 2018, Arabian Prince appeared on the album AmeriKKKant by industrial-metal band Ministry, followed by a second appearance on Ministry’s 2021 album Moral Hygiene. Beyond music, he has worked professionally in special effects, 3D animation, and video games, blending his creative interests across multiple industries.
Arabian Prince Personal Life
Arabian Prince is the son of Joseph “Skippy” Nazel Jr., an African American author and radio talk show host who influenced his early exposure to media and broadcasting. His mother, a piano teacher and classical musician, contributed to his early musical foundation. He grew up in Compton, California, where his family worked to keep him focused on school and sports.
Publicly verifiable details about his marital status, partners, or children are not documented in available sources. Throughout his career, Arabian Prince has spoken openly about his departure from N.W.A. and the financial disputes that shaped his path as a solo artist and producer.