SEEN

When The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill dropped in 1998, it was a breath of fresh air to the hip-hop genre, even though she sang throughout most of the CD. Since then, there have been plenty of sing-songy MCs, and even more hip-hop styled singers. There hasn't been many who have combined both with such excellence as Ms. Hill, especially not amongst males. SEEN, whose name pays homage to a pioneering graffiti artist and alludes to the action of bringing new vision to urban music, is one who performs both with the soul and style of a seasoned veteran. This is because although you've never heard of him, he has recorded and performed for many years without an official release; yet he spent the last five years coaching other local (and one signed to Interscope) artists in how to control a crowd.

SEEN is a thirty-something writer/MC/singer who commands a powerful rapping voice reminiscent of Tupac Shakur, a classic R&B singing voice that can be compared to one of the seasoned greats of the Motown era, and a dazzling stage persona that has been described as a hip-hop version of the late, great Gerald Levert. He hails out of Baltimore, Maryland, which expains his flair for sharp lyricism because of Charm City's proximity to the New York hip-hop scene. SEEN developed an appreciation and a flair for creating infectious, melodious tunes during his college years, which were spent in the Midwest. He grew up singing in church, which explains his ease with singing real R&B and Soul music.

SEEN is a versatile artist whose influences range from Run-DMC to Nas, Kirk Franklin to Luther Vandross, and even Phil Collins to Jay-Z. What sets him apart from other bands is his versatility. He is truly a hip-hop performer, but he's comfortable enough in his own skin to sing any type of song that fits the occasion. There are no hype men yelling in the background as he performs; the positive vibe that he gives off with the band allows room for spontaneity and crowd interactions. While SEEN definitely could never be mistaken as one of the youngest in the game, he brings a fresh voice and perspective that live venues will really enjoy.