B.A. Crazy

This long journey to emcee stardom began in the 1980's when a young Thomas Lewis was part of a break dancing group called the "Windy City Rockers". While participating in breakdancing battles, beatboxing and rap competitions, he found himself more and more self absorbed in perfecting his rap talent than his breaking moves.
The first attempt to write was obvious when he rearranged a song called "The breaks" by Kurtis blow and made it his own with a title named "See Me Break". This resulted in a nickname the other group members gave him, "Devasting T", which he wasn't too fond of. Shortly thereafter he attended a RunDMC concert and was locked on Run's style but the laid back hard approach to DMC's lyricism appealed to him more and that became his signature style while becoming known as TL KOR. (Thomas Lewis King of Rock-in honor of DMC)
TL KOR developed and honed his skills as a lyricist by competing in rap battles on a day to day basis, he also competed and perfected his stage presence by entering talent shows and performing in front of large audiences. In 1987, TL Kor recorded for two Chicago Recording Labels. (SWF and Cherry Records) This experience gave him the opportunity to work with many in the industry including Romance, Chicago House music legend. Romance saw unlimited potential in TL and decided to take him under his wing. This led TL to Long Beach,Ca where he was signed to Slam City Records by Mikel Hooks, an industry veteren who produced the Cali classic "West Coast Poplock". TL found himself working with up and coming artists such as Snoop dog and Warren G. Recording for the "Straight Outta Oakland" compliation, he scored a controversial hit with "No 2 Wayz Ah-Bout It". This was the beginning point to writing and producing other artists. In 1992, TL formed his own production company called "Tiatom Recordz". Unfortunately due to contract disputes and litigations, he was forced out of using his name and accquired a new psedonym as Rated X and released "X Mar'X Thah Spot" as a independent artist. Being now married with two children, 1995 seem to be a year for metamorphisis. Concerning himself with problems and governmental injustices done to many in the surrounding communities, he began to talk and write about these disparities in his music. Although he was receiving much creditability and love from the streets and among his peers, TL was growing tired of not fitting into the formats set by the labels and agencies he shopped the material to. In 1996, he decided to depart from the emcee position and focus his energy to producing and helping to direct and guide other artists in the industry. By the unfortunate event of his brother's murder in 2002, the vow of silence came to an end, TL felt it necessary to speak again and did so by assuming his brother's name, presently known as B.A. Crazy. In using this name he feels as though he has resurrected his brother in some way and the name will live on in the music industry while giving him the strength and determination to complete the final leg of his journey to make an impact and inevitable difference.