West coast rap has been one of the most influential forms of music, and a cornerstone of hip hop culture. Since the early 90’s pioneering artists such as Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube to name a few, have given a voice and a way out for urban American youth. California native and bay area rapper Renz Julian represents the next generation of m.c.'s that will continue the tradition. "I'm doing this to get away from the street life, and to be an inspiration to others that come from broken homes and negative environments. To show them you can achieve success and turn a negative into a positive" said Julian. Hip Hop was an outlet for him as an early teen, bouncing around from home to home while having to hustle in various ways to survive. Born from an African American father and a Filipino American mother, Julian grew up in Oakland and the east bay area of Northern California and later moved to San Jose, California. Living in a single parent home for the majority of his adolescent and pre-teen years, Julian was out on his own by the age of 14. The crack epidemic of the 1980's separated his family and forced him out on the streets at an early age. He lived with numerous friends and relatives in over 25 different living arrangements. During these turbulent times, Julian engaged in various criminal activities having to support himself at such an early age. Yet with this adversity, he turned to sports as a way out the street life, earning a NCAA division I football scholarship as a running back. After a brief college career due to injuries, academics and conflicts with the coaching staff, he ended up back on the streets of West Oakland looking for a new start. That was when he hooked up with producer and co-founder of F.O.D. Entertainment Salim the Uneek. After the deaths and incarceration of many peers and relatives, Julian and Salim decided to focus on starting a legitimate business as a recording studio and record label. In 1999 while living on Sycamore St. in West Oakland, Julian met Will Brewer, former manager of the Luniz. He had heard of Renz and Salim through his nephew and wanted to sign the duo to his label MBC records. Julian, then going by the name Playa Renz recorded the album "Fingaz of Gold" with Salim the Uneek. The two were to release it under the group name "Goldfingaz". The album was released locally and on a street level on Street People Entertainment, now known as F.O.D. (Field Of Dreamz) Entertainment. This lead to more appearances from Julian on other compilations and albums, such as Pat Rich's Bulletproof pimpin and pistol packin in 2003. During this time, Julian had experienced the hardships of street life. Seeing many peers go to jail or losing their lives to violence, Renz took a short hiatus from music and went back to pursuing a pro football career. He tried out for an Arena Football team and played for one season. That ultimately led to NFL opportunities with Atlanta Falcons but injuries and off the field issues wouldn't let that dream materialize. Soon after Julian was back home in the Bay Area, splitting time between Oakland and San Jose, California. He hooked back up with Salim to release 2 the League Vol.1, hosted by DJ Cali of Metal Mouth DJ's. From the success of this CD, Renz earned himself a spot on the DJ E-Rock (Sick Wid it / 94.9 / Sirius) and DJ Whoo Kid (G-Unit / Hot 97) hosted by Bay Bidness 3. The song Clap, Clap ft Clyde Carson of Black Wall Street/Capitol Records, produced by Traxamillion was featured on the mixtape, and generated a huge buzz for Julian in the streets and on the internet. He followed that with his own Legal Crack Mixtape also hosted by DJ E-Rock in 2007. This release was a huge success and had over 30,000 digital downloads on the internet. Soon Julian was receiving airplay locally on 106.1 KMEL and across the nation on Sirius Satellite Radio and other commercial radio stations. He also was given his own weekly show on Sactownradio.com, a popular internet radio show that plays Bay Area rap / hip hop. These successes eventually landed Julian a distribution agreement for his own label, F.O.D. Entertainment, thru R.N.L.G and Koch Entertainment, for the release of his debut album. As the music industry continues to deteriorate due to lack of originality, payola, and illegal file sharing, many proclaim that hip hop and music as a whole is dead. Yet as an artist Renz Julian is a breath of fresh air. With his creative wordplay and lyrical ability, he is a throwback in a sense, reminiscent of the 90's era hip hop. The emotion that he brings to a track is reminiscent of the kind of music that Tupac and Biggie blessed us with. A bright star on the rise, look for Renz Julian's debut album entitled Armageddon in stores now on F.O.D. Entertainment.
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