R.E.A.L. aka Tino J. Rivera was born and raised in Cudahy, California. When Tino was 10 years old his family moved to the outskirts of Chicago, to get away from the poverty stricken streets of Cudahy. It was not long after they moved to Illinois when Tino began experimenting with drugs and alcohol, by age 11 he was smoking weed on a regular bases, by 12 he was drinking hard liquor, by 13 he was selling weed. Not being conscience of his fathers ministry, Tino was throwing dirt not only on the Rivera name but also on his father. Pastor L.R. Rivera, Tino's father, Pastor's the Church of the Apostolic Road in Capron, Il 61012 where Tino now resides. R.E.A.L. not only writes what he sees but also what he lived. If you wish to contact R.E.A.L. you can at realishiphop@yahoo.com or at 815-569-2395