Slikkpo10tial

In the midst of the rap world full of "Dance Instructed" rappers, songs made solely for the purpose of ring tones, and the title of "MC" seemingly a distant past, it is hard to believe that hip-hop is still in tune with its political, emotionally speaking, hard hitting, roots. An unlikely poet-turned rapper, is thrown into the fray.

Slikkpo10tial, born in Newark, NJ, raised between the streets of Orange and the education of Montclair. He always felt a deep connection in music. For him, it wasn't just a catchy chorus, it involved all elements of a song. The bass line, drums, the orchestration of a song, the emotion in a voice, and subject matter.

With such early influences from Nas, Jay-Z, and Wu Tang Clan, Slikk began writing poetry at the age of 14. Although through years he continued writing, he felt that he was more of a poet than a rapper, even though he was heavily into rap music as a art form. Until one faithful night when a close friend of his who also was a rapper, encouraged him to freestyle. From that moment on, he changed his view of himself.

On August 4, 2004, Slikk and his producer Troy Paris, cut there first 4 track demo. Slikk was happy to just be recorded at the time but felt something was missing. He felt that he had to conform to the subjects of the streets to be accepted. Knowingly, that this wasn't what he wanted and that it went against his faith preaching lyrics. He started to perform for his church "The Life Christian Church" in a monthly event called "Concrete". There, he gained quick recognition for his lyricism and stage presence. He continued to perform, then with the help of Troy Paris, they created their group called the "Street Disciples".

On the verge of releasing their first album as a group, Slikk was rushed to the hospital suffering from a heart attack at a young age. During those 5 days in the hospital, he thought long an deeply, and reaffirmed his commitment to God.

Later releasing "What We Live For" in early 2006, "Discipleship" in the summer of 2006, and "The Master's Piece" in the winter of 2006 as the Street Disciples. Since then, the group had ended. Continuing on his own, Slikk dropped his first mixtape called "Poetic Justice", with no intention of this being his last.

Not swayed by the lack of originality in hip-hop today, he will stay true to his upbringings of what hip-hop really is, and what it should be.