Boston, Ma Native Highself, was born in the 80's when hiphop first started to flurish. His early influence of the culture was thick from b-boying to breakdancing and even graph writing in the street. At the age of 15 he hooked up w/ Shalnot a middle school friend and was introduced to the persuit of serious hiphop stardom. No one knew he could flow. At the time his friend was part of a rap duo called the "Juganots" who's other half was ishtar.Ishtar was attending North Eastern University w/ a Dj for a roomate. That Dj's name was Jknuckz a well respected turntablist in the city. One day while at the dorm room Knuckz threw on a B.I.G instrumental "Who Shot ya" and a freestyle session tanspired. Highself shocked everyone with his ruff delivery and witty tales of urban life. "That's when I became an MC" says highself. Two turntables and a mic were his only neccessities then. Later on a group was formed and given a chance by a berkley school of Music student Scott Burten who would provide free studio time and production for the groups demo tape. The demo tape was shopped in N.Y with little success and everyone went there seperate ways still keeping in contact. Eventually Shalnot went on to experiment with making beats following the lead of a few mentors already nice on the keyboards. Today the relationship between the two can be compared to Dj Premiere and Guru or Hi Tek and Talib Kweli. With the help of his boyhood friend Highself has completed his first solo album with intentions of selling units out of the trunk. With hard hitting tracks,reflections of urban life, will power,hunger,and strong hooks which could only translate into a recipe for success.
