Bio

Influence is an 80s baby. I grew up during the era of Reaganomics. It was a time of political turmoil. The crack epidemic was prevalent, HIV and AIDS hit the world and it seemed as if the last days as predicted in the bible was near. Amidst a world that appeared to be drowning in despair, Hip Hop was born. I was too young to be on the scene and witness the legendary pioneers who laid the foundation for the multibillion dollar booming industry Hip Hop is today. I got my first glimpse of the culture on the neighborhood blocks where it was raw, fresh and new. I would see kids break dancing on cardboard boxes in parks, people wearing thick rope gold chains, four finger rings and carrying boom boxes. I was too young to understand what was going on around me but I was fascinated and infatuated with the sites that I saw. I was raised in a single parent household. I my origin is of Latin Decent. I am Puerto Rican, Dominican and Black. I was adopted as an infant. My adoptive mother was over protective and abusive. She had a misunderstanding of society and made every effort to shelter me from the streets and ultimately pulled wool over my eyes so that I could not see the truth.I started writing raps in High school. It was a way of venting frustrations and making sense of life and all that I saw. I would write raps in my notebook but I kept them to myself because I thought that people wouldn't understand. I would often observe my peers participating in what they call ciphers. They would all gather in the school cafeteria and recite freestyle. I was always too shy to join in, however I continued to write and perfect my skills. College opened up a whole new world for me. It was where I started honing my skills and developing my talent. It was a great networking opportunity also. My first glimpse at the industry. I linked up with alot of positive and supportive like minded people who were also goal oriented. It was also an opportunity to finally open up and share my talent and be well received. I began my college career at Kings borough Community College and it was my stomping grounds. That's how I got this bounce and swag. I became well known on the campus as one of the nicest MCs. I was always in ciphers and battles, the complete opposite of high school. I sparred with some of the best MCs in my school and other city colleges from all the boroughs. My first live show performance was at the Legendary Nuyorican Poets Café in L.E.S From there I went on to perform at open mics and showcases. We shut down sold out show's at clubs such as S.O.Bs, Wetlands, The Pyramid, Speed, The Remote Lounge, The Five Spot, Snitch, Don Hills, The Bowery Poetry Club, The Continental, Kary's Cafe..etc. I performed in Kings Borough Community College at an event called The Four Elements of Hip Hop Expedition hosted and coordinated by my brother and friend DJ DP one of Turntable Annihilist and The Heavy Hitters. After graduating from Kings Borough I went on to Stony Brook University where I organized and Hosted The Four Elements of Hip Hop Expedition for two consecutive more years and worked alongside the phenomenal freestyle champ Supernatural. I went on to become the August 2000 Braggin Rites MC competition winner and title holder. The show was organized by a good friend of mine who went by the name of Bugdeyes but who you may be more familiar with as EYE SEE. He also does www.BragginRitesRadio.com. It is a PodCast Show that you can download off of I-tunes. I have an exclusive interview on Episode II. LOL, shameless plug. We later formed a group called State of Flux consisting him, myself, Big O and Fritz. We had incredible creative chemistry. We recorded a few songs but never released and official Album. I hear some of the joint's may have leaked. we disbanded to pursue different personal goals and went on to be successful in other avenues. I joined a group called Scroll and Key consisting of myself, long time friend Prolific, his cousins Basi Miraculous and Hotep and their friends Choc and KC. We recorded a few joints, shared creative ideas and performed at live shows together. Through them I met Dave Kutch and signed my first Deal with Vocal Entertainment. Vaults of wisdom were opened from these collaborative efforts but I discovered that the path of a solo artist is the best Road, Less Traveled. I appeared on the underground classic compilation album Verses Vs. Beats produced by Blowout also of Turntables Annihilist and on the Mecca clothing line compilation Album Under the Radar also featuring Atlantic recording artist Trey Songs. We released my first mixed tape Braggin Rites titled in honor of my 2000 MC battle competition triumph. The mixed tape was well received. I'm a success story baby!!!! The Rest Is History!!!! INFLUENCE RAPPER/MC http://www.myspace.com/550flu http://www.facebook.com/bigflu http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRealInfluenceTV https://twitter.com/MR88Swagg For Show Booking Info E-Mail Pedro @ [email protected] [color="darkblue"][/color][u][link="URL"][/link]