U.T.F.O, RUN DMC, Whodini, KRS-ONE, Kool Moe Dee, Rakim, Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Dana Dane, Mr. Mixx, Scarface, Ice-T, X-Clan, D.O.C, Paul Mc Cartney, The Beatles, Twisted Sister, Van Halen, Queen, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Bob Seger, The Eagles, Steve Miller, Super Tramp, Edie Brickell, Ella Fitzgerld, Dean Martin,
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Born and raised on the Westside of Chicago in the Austin District by a family of hustlers. Crafty has been Hip Hop since first hearing "Looking for the perfect beat' by Afrika Bambaataa. Meanwhile, spinning, breakin' and poppin, he used to rip it up at the rollar rinks. It wasn't until 1986 when he started writing about all his colorful experiences and 1988 when he recorded his first song. Hip Hop was Crafty's tool to escape from the reality his family had created for him. Jail stints and a near death experience helped him realize that the circumstances that had surrounded his life were of course initiated by his parents, but his responsiblity to change. His new reality was to have positive choices of his own and he wanted to create his reality to match the image that he imagined. "To create it in his own image". The 180 turn was now about helping others understand their situations by using the reference of his. Through this transformation he put down the mic in 1993, and has only recently returned to his love of putting words together in rhythmatic patterns. Crafty is very critical of other MC's and believes that you can do what ever you want on the mic, Gangsta, Pop, or Dance, but what ever you choose, make it a point to raise awareness, flaunt clever skill and INSTIGATE CHANGE!
Crafty St. James ... :) Jus comin' thru 2 show some luv while I can. Been CRAZY busy on da music tip lately. Stay n touch... and no matter what... Keep doin ya thang aight? Happy & Prosperous New Year to you and yours. :)
