This month’s Underground Report is inspirational, if not surprising. In our interviews with three underground emcees, we were able to find answers to some incredibly pressing questions:

How did one rapper survive a chaotic childhood to become a positive MC?
What’s wrong with Nas, Pac, Big, and Jay being the top 4 MC’s ever?
What caused a split with the Rhymesayers?
How is a genius Muslim rapper also a real-life pimp?
How did a gangster become a Christian rapper?

Read on to find answers to these and many, many more questions. We’ve included a couple of videos for those who aren’t familiar but even if you haven’t heard of the acts, their stories may surprise or inspire you.

(To go straight to Musab: The Rejuvenation of a Pimp, CLICK HERE)
(To go to Redcloud: Saved, CLICK HERE)

Pigeon John: Be Yourself

All these dudes tellin’ lies for the fame and wealth.
I’d rather kick back and just be myself.
-Pigeon John “Do the Pigeon”

This quote serves as a motto for Pigeon John’s status in the game. He’s always stood out for his unique style, for and simply being Pigeon. He’s also able to draw from different slices of life. This ability to adapt to change is not something he was born with. It was gained as a child, due to difficult circumstances layered on top of racial discrimination, awkwardness and the fact that he had to witness abuse. His upbringing not only helped him react to drastic transitions, it also prepared him for the rigors of poverty, struggle, love and life. Now, armed with a new view on Hip-Hop, race and more, he’s out to show a different side of the culture.

His unique journey began in Omaha, Nebraska, where he spent his early years. But when he was 5, he began to make a slew of back-and-forth trips to California. That’s where Pigeon got to experience racism and an understanding of a troubled family life.

“That got me used to adapting to any scenery. As kids, it wouldn’t even be weird if we were woken up in the middle of the night and said ‘We’re leaving right now.’ We had to pack all of our stuff and a couple of sheets and hop in the car and just drive through the night, not knowing where we’re going,” he explains.

But more than this, he had to adapt to different stereotypes placed on him. Being bi-racial, he began to experience racism from two different parts of the country, as he sang on his first album.

“I grew up in Nebraska. In the 4th Grade
I was the darkest thing in town, and I had it made.
But all the kids in school, you know…Called me nigger…
The very next year, I moved to Inglewood.
A little change of scenery but it was all good.
Over here, all the kids at school called me ‘honky’
Went home to my mother and she said ‘Son, be.’
…Be yourself.”
-Pigeon John, "B" Continued on page 2 »