Esso

The streets of Harlem have been home to some of the greatest artists and most influential figures in the history of Black culture. From the stomping grounds of Malcolm X, Langston Hughes, Big L and The Diplomats comes ESSO, the leader of the second Harlem Renaissance.

A professional Baseball prospect in College, ESSO truly dedicated himself to his music after Howard University ended their Baseball program in the Spring of 2002. "That was a tough time for me. I was getting some attention from the Phillies and a couple other teams, and then just like that it was gone." But a true hustler never relies on one hustle, and ESSO had a couple more tricks up his sleeve. "My girl at the time was at Georgetown, and she told me they had studios in their library. I started hitting the studio whenever she would go to the library. That got my hunger for the music right back to where it needed to be."

After graduating from Howard University, ESSO returned to New York and began working towards being heard. He linked up with friend and producer Disco D, who produced "The Ski Mask Way" on the multi-platinum 50 Cent album "The Massacre" and "City of Gods" on AZ's album "AWOL." He immediately began working on his mixtape "Hi, My Name Is ESSO," a mixture of original songs and remixes that showcases his unique blend of lyricism, storytelling ability, insight and songwriting skill. As ESSO puts it, "Harlem is the new Brooklyn. BK held it down for so long with B.I.G. and Jay and so many others, but it’s our turn now." Harlem is unofficially the sixth borough of New York City, but all eyes are focused on its 40 blocks and their new representative: ESSO.

ESSO has performed and placed at various showcases around New York City. Most recently he placed second in F.E.D.S. Magazine's Underground Idol series, and third at Promo Radio 91.9's A&R Review showcase judged by A&Rs from Roc-A-Fella Records and Atlantic Records. ESSO has performed in Harlem at the Platinum Lounge, in the Bronx at the Crimson Lounge, and in Manhattan at Club Speed, Club International, The City, The Pyramid, The Remote Lounge, and Don Hill's.

Most recently, ESSO’s music was played during “The Cipha Sounds Experience” on SHADE45 (Eminem’s station on Sirius Sattelite Radio). He will be featured in an upcoming ad for Shaw Originals, a clothing line based in Harlem alongside Murda Mami DJ Lazy K, as well as an upcoming mixtape distributed through AllHipHop.com. Esso is currently ranked 2nd on a list of the Top Ten Unsigned Male Artists published by RapFanatic Magazine. He is also in the process of scheduling a Nationwi