"Memphis Bleek grew up in the Marcy Projects housing community of Brooklyn, New York. His rap stylings were first heard on Jay-Z's album Reasonable Doubt. He became one of the artists for Roc-A-Fella Records and made his debut album Coming of Age in 1999, gaining a great deal of attention prior to this first effort. The album is considered by some to have been a bit of a flop, but it still managed to chart at number seven on the Billboard 200 and at number one on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Strangely he supposedly made something of a comeback with his second album The Understanding in 2000, even though that album did not climb higher than number 16 on The 200, though it did reach number one on Top R&B/Hip-Hop.M.A.D.E. came next in 2004, showing a great deal of improvement, but also exhibiting that Bleek had not yet managed to break away from the image of Jay-Z's protégé that surrounded his career. The album also exhibited his staying power and determination to keep going despite some undeservedly less than favorable reviews from the critics. The staying around paid off, however, as his third album continued his tradition of doing well in the charts. 534 came next, on May 17, 2005, reaching number 11 on The Billboard 200, and number three on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. For an album that started out at number 62, this is no small feat and proves that the artist is definitely going places with his music.Chart songs include ""It's Alright,"" from 1998, which topped out at number nine on Hot Rap Singles and number 61 on The Billboard Hot 100. ""Memphis Bleek Is..."" reached number 33 on Hot Rap Singles, in 1999, along with the top 50 single ""What You Think of That."" Is That Your Chick (The Lost Verses) reached number 68 on The Billboard Hot 100. Other highlight songs included ""My Mind Right,"" ""Do My...,"" ""Round Here,"" ""Dear Summer,"" and ""Like That."""