PROBLEM 13 is an underground Hip-Hop artist, bringing high energy Hip-Hop music, with a hardcore edge, laced with a message for his people and all oppressed people in the world. As an artist, he does more than just entertain, he wants listeners come away with something to think about.
PROBLEM 13 has been writing lyrics and rapping for as long as he can remember. In elementary school he would entertain his schoolyard friends rapping lyrics from his favorite songs. One day he decided to write some of his own raps. To his surprise, his friends really enjoyed his raps, and would constantly ask him for a new one. He was 12 yrs old.
He really enjoyed rapping, and the feeling it gave him. Then one day, he heard a rapper he never heard before, with a flow that sounded so unique, and so hard. It was LL Cool J "I Need A Beat", after hearing that song, his mind was made up. He wanted to make people feel like that record made him feel. His journey to becoming a true MC begun that day.
He would rap all day and all night, just producing lyrics from the top of his head. Perfecting his freestyle skills, or what is referred to as "coming off the dome". By the time he reached high school, He was a master at the freestyle. You can throw any topic at him, he can put it into rhyme and make it sound like it was already written, he was just that good.
Through his high school years, he would continue to harness his craft. Continuously in rap battles and talent shows. Becoming notorious for his high energy, raspy voice, ruff flow, witty lines and sharp delivery. It wasn't long before he was renting studio time and recording his own songs. Learning how to produce, how to structure a song, how to mix, all the ins & outs of working in a studio. Becoming more than just an artist, but becoming a producer and engineer as well.
His buzz in the streets as a battle rapper earned him bookings at local shows. Never passing up on an opportunity to work on his showmanship and stage presence. He would go on to be an opening act for legendary artists like KRS-1, Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Foxy Brown, Wu-Tang Clan, and several other big name acts.
Growing up, PROBLEM 13 spent his youth in multiple cities. His city of birth, Chicago, as well as New York, Miami and currently resides in Los Angeles. Because of his upbringing, he learned many different aspects of Hip-Hop culture in different parts of the country. The streets of Chicago's gang culture, streets of New York's Hip-Hop & 5% Nation culture, streets of Miami's pimp & drug hustle culture, all played a part in molding him as an MC and making him the artist he is today.
He would go on to become a member of The Nation of Islam. As he matured as a young Muslim, he began to incorporate the truths of the teachings of Islam into his lyrics. And because of that representation of Black empowerment & social awareness in his music, some label him a "conscious" rapper, but unlike others who are labeled "conscious" rappers, PROBLEM 13's music is edgy, hard, abrasive, borderline gangster rap. He brings a consciousness, but you can feel the spirit of the streets in every lyric.
Over the years he has produced and released a volume of mixtapes that have given him a significant underground following. He released his first single Not Wutchu Lookin Fo which created quite a buzz for him. He followed it up with the classic Supreme Wisdom.
PROBLEM 13 is currently in the studio finishing up the highly anticipated album release RESILIENT. Due to be realeased late 2023 on APOCALIPTIK RECORDS.
He has currently released his latest mixtape Apocalitpik Radio: Da Sequel hosted by The Mixtape King, Legendary DJ Ron G
on the verge to release a new mixtape OLD MAN BARS coming real soon. One thing is for sure, Problem 13's story is still being written.