whutduzFMstand4? That is the question that PackFM hopes you will seek to answer on his debut full-length project whutduzFMstand4? This young Brooklyn MC is already off to an exceptional start in his musical career, and he is ready to take on the world. In 1997 his first recorded song, "Hit List", was played on New York's Hot 97's now defunct Home Jams show. The song became an underground hit, and was played for four consecutive weeks during the final month of the Home Jams show. It created considerable buzz among underground Hip Hop heads in New York. In May of '98 he also appeared on the B-side single "Lifestyles of the Poor Wit' a Fortune", which was released by Ope Entertainment. "I was influenced by acts like A Tribe Called Quest, EPMD, and Big Daddy Kane," explains PackFM, "so every time I make a song my goal is to make music the way they imagined Hip Hop to be fifteen years later" PackFM began his distinguished battle career early, including such titles as "
88HipHop MC Battle Champion", which he held for four undefeated months until retiring and being placed in their Hall Of Fame. He was the last man standing out of 32 MC's in the legendary "
Braggin' Rites" tournament. In 1999 he swept the competition at "
Next Generation Battle" at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. He also won the TDK sponsored "
24 Hour MC Battle" an astounding three months in a row, and was featured along with previous winners in
XXL Magazine. In 2000, PackFM collaborated with Tonedeff to compete in the Napster/Rapstation.com "Power To The People And Beats" contest. Their track was chosen among the top six out of over 80 contestants. That same year he was a finalist in the
Rock Steady Crew's annual MC Battle, and then placed 2nd out of 100 MCs in the
Source Magazine's "Unsigned Hype Live MC Battle Tournament". After that huge accomplishment, he took a long break from battling, only to return for a triumph in the
2003 "Everlast Harlem Lyricist Championship". Countless victories in the battle circuit caught the attention of a few independent filmmakers. PackFM was featured in the award-winning Dutch documentary Kika NY, and appeared in the acclaimed independent film
Freestyle alongside
Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, Supernatural, The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac. Freestyle aired on VH1's HipHop Week and was featured in the Sundance Film Festival in 1999, and received praise from the critics for it's raw portrayal of hardcore battle emcees. Although an accomplished battle rapper and performer, PackFM is out to prove that there are still talented live MC's who can make classic songs. "I haven't been in a battle in well over a year, but people still remember me from the battles rather than my records," he says. "So many people feel that MC's who are good at battling and freestyling are incapable of making records, which isn't always true...there is so much more that I'm capable of." Not only has PackFM proven his talents in the battle circuit, but he has consistently shown his ability to move the crowd on stage, performing alongside some of Hip Hop's finest, including
M.O.P., Ghostface Killah, Rahzel, Masta Ace, Brand Nubian, the Beatnuts, Slick Rick and Common, just to name a few. Often described as witty and crafty, his clever lyricism has been featured on various projects and 12"s, including his debut SOLO 12" single, "Freestyle Marathon". He came together with Tonedeff, Substantial and Session as Extended F@mm to release the highly acclaimed EP Happy F*ck You Songs. The EP created such a strong buzz, it earned the foursome a feature in
"Off the Radar" in The Source Magazine's March 2003 issue. He was also featured prominently in spots on
MTV's Hip Hop Week with Wordsworth and fellow QN5 label mates Tonedeff and Mecca. Additionally he has headlined and released a popular series of mixtapes entitled Featured Material, Volumes 1 and 2. Featured Material Volume 3 drops mid July 2004, and features Jean Grae, Last Emperor, Bad Seed, Tonedeff and J.U.I.C.E. whutduzFMstand4? Is a break from the trend of slaphappy raps and sugary beats that has flooded the industry as of late. The album will be released in Fall 2004, with the lead single "Forevershine" b/w "Upclose and Personal" featuring Substantial of Extended F@mm and "Set It Up" featuring Chicago's freestyle phenom J.U.I.C.E., dropping in June 2004.
AUDIO MP3 Set It Up feat. J.U.I.C.E. Produced by Tonedeff
MP3 Freaky feat. Jean Grae Produced by Parallel Thought
MP3 Basix feat. Tonedeff & DJ JS1 Produced by Tonedeff
MP3 Commercial Rap feat. QN5 Music All-Stars
VIDEOS [Real Player]
MTV HipHop Week w/ Tonedeff, Wordsworth and Mecca
Happy F*ck You Interview w/ Extended F@mm
WEBSITE: www.packfm.com