Paul Esposito

Born in Silver Spring, MD in 1979, I've been rhyming since 1992. In 1995 I started recording in my room over various instrumentals (using my Aiwa's dual tape decks, and mic input - I'd lay backs, adlibs and everything). This is when I started to believe that rhyming is what I'm supposed to do. Around 1999, I started to network and meet a few producers in the DC area - laying something down here and there. In 2001, two friends of mine started a home studio (AMMO Entertainment), and I've been doing joints with them ever since (and a few others on the humble), but still few and far between. I've been a Hip-Hop lover, junkie, enthusiast, connoisseur, etc. for a long time now. It started when I was about 8 years old. I didn't have older siblings or relatives to put me on to it, so - ironically enough - it was MTV that put me on to Hip-Hop (in a nutshell, I think that MTV and over commercialization has phuced up Hip-Hop - but I digress). A memory that sticks in my head is seeing LL's "I'm That Type of Guy" video and feeling that "oh shit, this is what's up!" feeling. The first tape I copped was The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground, and my first cd was PE's Fear of a Black Planet, but Midnight Marauders was my first true love. Being so awestruck and inspired by the artists listed in my 'influences' section, teaching myself to rhyme was inevitable. I came to realize that my skills were good enough to do something serious, but I had never put full effort into it (I always put full effort into the lyrics - but I mean writing everyday, going out and networking, reading up on publishing and distribution, doing freestyle calisthenics, etc.). Maybe I was scared of success, put off by the hype and glitz, or just too high - probably some of all 3. Anyway, I've grown a lot over the years and now I find myself writing more, freestyling more, and seeing success in my mind's eye. I'm hungry to bring my dreams to fruition (which don't include fame or luxury - but I wouldn't mind quitting my day job), and "use my infinite potential". Hope you enjoy it. Peace.