From Mattapan to the Mic: The Journey of a Purpose-Driven Emcee

Growing up in the heart of Mattapan, Boston, the lyrical roots of one emcee were planted early, nourished by the Golden Era of 90’s Hip-Hop and a natural gift for writing. From the start, his pen was both sword and shield—blending style with substance, culture with conviction.

That passion followed him to Carnegie Mellon University, where he dove headfirst into Pittsburgh’s underground scene. It wasn’t long before the School of Music took notice. After an impromptu audition, he found himself recording in the university’s professional studio as a class learned the engineering ropes in real time. That session would spark the formation of Unknown Prose, a collective that recorded an album, dropped an EP, and toured from Pittsburgh to Upstate NY—all while partnering with CMU’s Graduate School of Business to market the project. The group also helped launch hip-hop education programs for local students and brought rap workshops to middle schools, bridging campus and community.

But like many stories in the music world, funding dried up. So he returned home—this time to Baltimore, where his family had relocated. Navigating a dangerous scene, he stayed focused, ultimately surrendering his life to Christ in 2009. That spiritual shift changed everything. You can hear it in the music: a new message, a refined mission.

In 2011, he married his wife, who would later face serious health challenges. For the past four years, he’s stepped back from the spotlight to become her full-time caregiver. But even during life’s heaviest moments, the music never left.

To date, he’s released 13 projects and collaborated with legends like Umar bin Hassan of The Last Poets, Skyzoo, Torae, Mickey Factz, Ski Beatz, and Kxng Crooked. With over 800,000 lifetime streams on Spotify and coverage from HipHopDX, DJ Booth, EarMilk, and The Source, his catalog speaks for itself.

Still, the road hasn’t been smooth. He’s battled scams, shady industry figures, job loss, and the emotional toll of personal sacrifice. But quitting? Never an option.

“I believe I’m fulfilling the purpose that God designed me for,” he says. “If I wasn’t committed, I would’ve stopped years ago.”

His sound is unique: part righteous fury, part soulful introspection—a sonic blend of Nas, Marvin Gaye, and 80’s Pop icons like Hall & Oates and Michael McDonald. And while he’s a sucker for that classic ‘80s vibe, his music is rooted in the now—meant to inspire, uplift, and challenge.

“I’m an emcee first,” he says. “My mission is to push people to think. I want to be the spark to a cultural revolution.”

And the spark is catching fire.