MySpace a place for friends

The next big thing... rapper/producer/engineer. Lingo grew up in an unusually musically inclined family. The son of drummer David Fletcher and grandson of jazz saxophonist William Fletcher, Lingo was exposed to both classic rock and jazz at an early age. He soon began classical training in piano and would remain perfecting his play for seven years; until he gave it up to devote more of his time to sports. Although more well-rounded than most regarding his musical knowledge and taste, Lingos true love was always hip-hop.

Lingo had been listening to and influenced by such artists as Rakim, Kool G Rap, KRS-One, Gangstarr, EPMD, and DITC for several years before he actually began to experiment with his own music. At 14, he began DJing with an old set of his fathers turntables, and was instantly hooked. He immediately began up-dating his equipment, as well as amassing an extraordinary collection of both old and new vinyl. Lingos interest in piano was rekindled around the age of 17, when he realized how invaluable such an instrument was to producing beats, and soon began re-teaching himself. It was also around this time when he started making his own beats.

At 18, Lingos collection of instrumentals was finally put to good use, as he began playing them at parties and freestyling over them. During his senior year of high school, he started playing piano and emceeing with a jazz/hip-hop band. He wrote his 1 st verse after his graduation in 2000. After that, he was unstoppable.

Lingo began hitting open mics all over the area in Providence, Boston, and Connecticut, and received a positive response wherever he rhymed. He soon began networking with all kinds of local promoters and producers. After beginning attendance at Bryant College, he hooked up with both Mr. Mortal and Basement Flavor and started hosting open mics and Round Midnight. It wasnt long before he formed the crew Shameless Self-Promotion and began doing shows all around New England, performing with underground legends as well as other rising stars. He also began taking his battling game to the next level.

Lingo traveled all over New England, leaving overmatched and under-skilled emcees humiliated in his wake. He won numerous battles at the Providence Black Rep and Unity at the Met Caf, as well as the 2000 and 2001 Iron Mic Battle in Maine. Shortly after that, he released his debut EP Is This Really Happening? to good reviews and response, before making an even better name for himself battling on Rhode Islands ..1 radio station, HOT 106.3. He became the stations Undefeated Hall-of-Fame champ and pulled a Rocky Marciano by retiring as champion (after reigning for a year and a half). It was around this time in 2002 when Lingo was chosen as BET.coms unsigned hypes artist of the week.

After winning another Iron Mic battle in Maine, Lingo began focusing on producing a plethora of artists, and put together shows for numerous colleges, battles of the bands, and fashion shows. In 2002 he released Najas and Lingo The Bootleg and in 2003 he put out Watch ya Back with Bay Bizzy, while continually producing for various artists, performing shows, and winning battles. In 2004, he compounded his frantic work schedule by starting to work with long-time friend and fellow rapper Staxx. The two decided to do everything possible to shake up the game and flood the market with quality releases.

LINGO DISCOGRAPHY

2001 - Is This Really Happening?
2002 - Najas & Lingo: The Bootleg
2003 - Watch Ya Back: Bay Bizzy & Lingo
2004 - Mass Transit Vol. 1 & 2
March 2005 - March Madness, Boston 2 Acapulco
April 2005 - April Reign
May 2005 - Hostile Takeover
June 2005 - Mass Transit Vol. 3
August 2005 - TriState demo, Infinite Endz sampler
Dec 2005 - Winner Take All Promo and Video
March 2006 - Once Upon A Time in Mexico
August 2006 - Latenight Promo
February 2007 - Now's the Time
August 2007 - I Am Hip-Hop
February 2008 - A Dollar & A Dream
June 2008 - Grind Mode Vol. 1
September 2008 - Grind Mode Vol. 2 Summer in the City
April 2009 - Grind Mode Vol.3 Untouchable