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In all my memory, I would be hard-pressed to find another individual quite as remarkable as Mr. McGinnis. In addition to being one of the most talented Negro musicians on the planet, he is a student, a scholar, an educator, and an expert on topics ranging from Supreme Court rulings to malt liquor.
Unbeknownst to many casual listeners, McGinnis’ catalogue actually stretches back to 1986, when, while recording under the pseudonym Dee Jay Money Dee, a two year old McGinnis produced his first single, “I Wish a Nigga Would” with then partner Cool C-Loc. The record was well received both by critics and listeners alike and is still found today on many West Coast old school rap compilations. Sadly, however, C-Loc was gunned down on his way to church shortly after the release of their follow-up single “805 Ways to Make My Paper Stack.” In a press release, McGinnis claimed the incident was the result of “some old heartless niggas not being able to stand to see one of their own make a little scratch and make a little name for himself.” Police later confirmed his assessment. This tragic incident, as well as several bad financial deals, prompted McGinnis to formally withdraw from the rap world.
Surfacing once again at age 22, McGinnis is in the process of positioning himself among the ranks of hip-hop royalty. "Ain't no time for silly shit fam" he has been reported as saying in a recent interview "I'm finna do it big this go round. I'm finna make some moves. Dig it fam, the game's like a chick so sometimes you need to put that full court press on it if you want to get in there, feel me?” With two albums slated for release this year, the self-proclaimed "prettiest man on the planet" seems to be remaining true to his word.
I'm told by industry insiders that the first album scheduled for release, which still remains untitled, will "change the game". Having known Mr. McGinnis for as long as I have, I would expect nothing less.
--Dr. Charles “Chaz” Rosenberg--Professor of Ethnomusicology for the University of Phoenix Online.
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