Young Hoffa

Lyricist/Song Writer/Performer/MC

Hoffa was born and raised in the inner city of Paterson, New Jersey a.k.a Silk City. Paterson was brought to national attention by Morgan Freeman’s big screen characterization of Joe Clark, the tough Eastside High School Principal, in the movie “Lean On Me.”

As depicted by the film, Hoffa grew up in a very tough environment, which forced him to make many crucial decisions. He found music as a peaceful and fun way to express himself in his urban surroundings. He says, "I could either settle for the poor socio-economic situation in which I was raised in or I could find a way to overcome the obstacles and temptations which I and many of my peers faced such as selling drugs, committing crimes, and ultimately ending up in prison or dead."

So Hoffa turned to music and basketball. His first song was written while he was in the eighth grade, which was apparently about the same time he first dunked a basketball. He recorded his first song as a senior in high school, at that same time he received a full scholarship to attend Bucknell University and play basketball.

During his freshman year at Bucknell, Hoffa recorded numerous tracks and starred in his first music video, “Let’s Get It Hot.” The following summer he performed at a showcase sponsored by Hot 97 & Atlantic Records. He received a great deal of positive feedback from Atlantic and Virgin Records and was offered a record contract from Black Fortress Entertainment, but he did not accept….

Hoffa chose rather to stay in school and get his degree. A big factor in his decision was his father. Hoffa states, "my father was born and raised in South Carolina during segregation and he never earned his college degree, but he gave everything he had to raise me, and my three older siblings."

During his last three years of college, Hoffa recorded and released two albums, “Built For This” and “What IF”, which sold over 2,000 copies at that institution, which only had a population of about 4,000 students. Hoffa's music has been showcased on ESPN, independent films, and radio stations ranging all over the East Coast.

As a Division-I College Basketball Player, Hoffa was a member of the only team in Patriot League History to win an NCAA Tournament game. Hoffa's Bucknell team did it twice and received the 2005 ESPY AWARD for Biggest Upset after defeating Kansas in the 1st Round of the NCAA's.

Hoffa is no stranger to being the underdog, and moreover he is not afraid to work hard to achieve his goals. His music is a fine example of that. From his small beginnings, as a child writing songs in his notebook to local stardom, opening up for the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Juelz Santana, and Antigone Rising. Young Hoffa has a very bright future ahead of him....that's a guarantee.