The journey that defines us.
The Beginning of My Battle Rap Journey
"DEFINING OUR PATH, REWRITING OUR FUTURE."
You can say my battle rap career started at the lunch table in junior high. I was born to battle rap. I went to prison and did 7 years straight, but as soon as I got to the yard, I was challenged to battle. I didn’t even make it to my cell yet.
Once I got settled in, I went OPA (Out of Place of Assignment). It was very hot outside; it was June 2006. I covered my green wristband up so that the guards didn’t know I was on orientation. I smoked this dude named Grimy (RIP). He was rapping like Jadakiss, and I destroyed him. The yard was mine for the rest of my duration.
The Struggle to Adjust After Prison
After I came home in 2012, battle rap had taken on a whole new meaning and style. It was crazy to witness, but I was behind. I didn’t know if I was willing to make that type of adjustment to my pen. You see, when I was battling in prison, my flow pattern was on beat, but this new structure of battle rap was without a beat and way more complex. I was intimidated at first, but then I became a fan and just studied the craft.
Taking the Leap Back into Battle Rap
After 3 years of studying, I finally decided to try. My best friend, Cliff, pushed me over and over toward this decision. I started back battling in Des Moines, where I was shown the most love I’ve ever received rapping outside of prison. You see, my hometown always tried to downplay how good I was. They would stand outside of the bar back in the day when I was rapping to make it seem like I was trash. But really, I’m just from a place where there’s a lot of surface-level thinking and lack of support due to small-town politics.
Setbacks and Starting my Own Brand
Now, I did very well for myself, but then COVID hit, and I lost some momentum. Our group broke up, but we’re all still brothers. I then formed my own brand, Felony Raps, and got my momentum back. I formed this brand to represent all the ex-cons who struggle with getting jobs, being judged by family members, and society. I just wanted a place for felons to feel at home, and Felony Raps is that place.
A Life-Changing Tournament in Harlem
I paid the entry fee, drove to Harlem with my best friend, and put on a show in front of the judges. The judges were all legends in their own right—names like Tay Roc, DNA, New Jersey Twork, Jaz the Rapper, GOODZ, and a few others were in the building. There were 5 of the top battle rap groups there to judge and pick up new talent if there was a fit. 1st and 2nd place would automatically get picked up out of 16 MCs. I was chosen by the almighty NWX, a group formed by the legendary K-Shine and DNA. I was ridiculously happy to get a shot at the big leagues.
The Breakthrough Opportunity
So, this love that I was receiving from strangers outside of prison really blew my mind. After battling unprofessionally for 3 years, I got some money together and started to network in New York. I had 8 battles on YouTube at the time. I felt like I had enough work to showcase and send links to the right people to get a shot.
My friend, a fellow battle rapper named Hungry, was given the first shot to the big leagues. I supported him, but after the battles, I would introduce myself to the right people. I did this, and it worked a little, but I knew I needed to network even more. So, I drove to New York again 2 months later, did more networking, and then one day, I was on Instagram and saw a flyer about a tournament in Harlem. The person hosting it was the one and only Charlie Clips from Wild 'N Out.
