-The Background-The journey began like most other artists ....every now & then here and there as a hobby. Although hip-hop was by far his first choice of music, he was exposed to and enjoyed every kind of music from an early age. Rock, blues, jazz, pop, classical, and of course country. Music was the outlet time and time again that he would choose to release the aggression and pain that would arise in his life. With an extensive background in percussion ( Russell started playing drums at the age of 8 ) he seemed destined to have a musical contribution sooner or later. Whether it was playing the snare, tri-toms, or quads in his high school band , or just tapping on his desk, people took note of his ability. Soon after entering high school, Russell started to listen to HipHop more and more. Evolving in an age where the formula was bred, he experienced the masters in their prime....He was able to observe how the Legends not only handled themselves, but found a way to spread a message that was not only needed, but valid. The rotation in his player consisted more and more of Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Fugees, Jay-Z, DMX, Tupac, De La Soul, Outkast, The Roots, Mos Def, Scarface, and all the others.. When the playful freestyle sessions would break out in the back of a bus he was on, or on a back road somewhere, rarely did he make the choice to join in due to his overwhelming sense of shyness. Even though he enjoyed the battle style, his true goal was to make an album that consisted of all his influences combined into his own style...As willing as he was to try his hand at recording an album, and to pursue a career in music, age was the biggest issue. At 17 Russell recorded his first single called 254 which was an ode to his local area code. Simply for fun, he made 20 copies. They lasted only 2 days . Suddenly he realized that he had not only talent, but a vicious demand for the product he created. Going by the name Rem, he continued for the next few years to collaborate with others. Slowly Rem, which are Russells initials, became Remy because of his affection for RemyRed cognac. In 2001 he released his first mix tape under his created label MentallyDerangedRecords. Although only 6 songs were on the C.D., he received a generous amount of respect from his local Central Texas community. It seemed that with every new project, he was gaining even more ability. Quickly he was beginning to garner comparisons to most of his role models in the game growing up. Soon he was being viewed as one of the areas most gifted rappers. Still, He was bothered by the fact he lacked his own original music to market. It was a constant struggle to obtain beats from any producers in the area. He knew the whole time that the sounds he truly wanted, only he would be able to create. Even with the local success of "The Arrival" (the first MixTape), he was focused on trying to get a new sound out, rather than just taking someone elses instrumental and rapping over it. After exhausting all the outlets he knew of, and coming away with nothing to show for it, he came close to giving up on his dream of having a full length C.D. of his own. Then, he appeared on the local smash single CountryTime which received play on both local radio stations with great feedback. That was just the spark he needed to push him along the path that he had almost abandoned. Vowing to himself to create his own sound and project, in 2003 Russell started work on his album under his ghost label Encore Entrepreneur Entertainment. With such an amount of growth and change since he started, he also felt the need to ditch the name he had gone by for so long. Not to mention that there was already a Remy Ma in the Terror Squad. Not wanting to be confused with a female, or having stole a females name, he resurfaced as UpitumeE - his reworking of the word Epitome (Which means " The true definition "). One of the most humble and hungry lyricists in the game, UpitumeE has the ablility to give the fans what they want. REAL MUSIC WITH REAL LYRICS. Every song has it's own original vibe, and razor sharp lyrics. Concentrating on delivering RELAVENT content on every track, ( i.e. - that is, instead of the garbage that some other artists decide to create a song about that just ends up perpetuating the stereotype that HipHop or rap is nothing more than an alias for idiot ) UpitumeE is changing the game w/ music & lyrics that are on another level. Covering so many topics - from the effects of excessive promiscuity, to the struggle of poverty, questions of Life and Faith, to political deception - truth is key. With a business mind that would rival any Harvard graduate, mixed with vast knowledge and an appreciation for any brand of positive music, UpitumeE combines all to concoct a recipe that keeps him regarded as one of the most exciting artists in music. His raw talent alone has solidified gigs in some of the most well known venues in the country, & his stage presence is a sight to behold. Breaking the cliche of 15 people shouting (all with mics) during a performance, UpitumeE commands the stage alone electrifying the crowd through his release of soul in motion. With a massive fan base of people that have come to expect only the best, UpitumeE refuses to let them down. Biting his tongue for no one, he creates a vibe unlike any other, and impossible to duplicate...Matching his ability to remain clever & witty, while still managing to get his point across smooth as silk, the hustle can't stop. The message is too important. The music speaks for itself, as it should..Right?***SOME VERY IMPORTANT INFO*** I LOVE comments like anyone else and I don't mind artists doing a LITTLE self promotion..& I DO NOT want to have to disable HTML in my comment boxes because alot of the Ladies use it to say hello "Glitter Style"..That being said, DO NOT assume I'll approve your comment that say's nothing about my music or other artists at all along with 15 differents links to your sites and products. STAY CLASSY w/ it! AND LAST -If you post bulletin after bulletin (about WHATEVER it may be! example - "Friend Storm" , "WebCams", "FastMoney Business Opportunites", "OMG Free Ringtones" etc. ) and NEVER have contact with my page or me, you WILL GET DELETED. This page is my way to interact with my friends and supporters all over the world..not a Billboard. Oh yeah -- If you are an Obvious Racist, Bigot, or just idiot in general, I reserve the right to deny your friend request without explanation...(So that means don't send pissy e-mails clogging up my inbox because I don't want to be associated with your ignorance...dig?) ..MUCHLOVE People
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