SAM I AM THE MC

Background Bullet points:

*Samuel Simmons II aka SamIAm, 27, from the Southeast Side of Chicago (same area as Common)//87th Stony Island area*

*Started rapping at 5. Started recording raps in 1992. Started Freestyling off the head and deejaying in 1993. Started breakdancing/tagging on walls w in 1994*

*Joined first hiphop crew SAK (Stars are Kings) in 1995. The emcees in SAK were very advanced in freestyle rapping, breakdancing, and graffiti in the mid 90s (especially Freestyle Rapping). Being around this type of company inspired me to become further advanced/skilled in freestyling, breaking, and graffiti during the 90s*

*Became DJSAMIAM in 1998. I sold hundreds of basement mixtapes and deejayed all the Morgan Park, Whitney Young, Kenwood type parties in the late 90's. Also founded popular crew H-CLICK along w Brandon Burwell (which expanded to a membership over 150 people by 2001).*

*I was known as Lyrical Assasin/SAMIAM while in former high school, Kenwood Academy, for freestyle rapping, breakdancing, and deejaying. The rap name SAMIAM/DJ SAMIAM was declared in 1998. Before then, my rap name was Lyrical Assasin*

*During college at NIU (May 2005 Graduate: Degree: Media Communications): I sealed a strong following by hosting 40 Open Mics for the artistic community.*

Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity*

* Winner of 2007 Rhymespitters 4 Chicago All City Freestyle Battle (which had nearly 200 Chicago contestants). This was my “Chicago Breakthrough” because it finally certified me as the city wide freestyle rap champ after countless rap sessions @ Subterreanean and the former Blue Note (now Flat Iron).

*Released 2 underground albums produced by D2daE called “Refreshing” (2003) and “The Taste” (2006).

Several tracks including my single “Uprock”(from The Taste album) are featured in popular video game Pump It Up.

NATIONAL BREAKTHROUGHS:

BET: I am the first rapper from Chicago to ever be retired in the BET 106th & Park Freestyle Friday Hall of Fame after winning 5 consecutive rap battles on the show.

MTV: DJ Timbuk2 (of WGCI’s Go Ill Radio) entered me in an internet voting battle against rappers MOODSWANGS and the legendary JUICE (who famously defeated EMINEM in a rap battle) to represent Chicago for MTV World Rap Championships. I was surprised to find out I earned the most votes (due to Juice's popularity) and was chosen to represent Chicago in the MTV2 World Rap Championships for 1 Million Dollars.

I currently one of the 4 remaining Finalists. The Finals will take place soon...

*Blake and I host Mingle Mondays (every Monday) at CROCODILE in Wicker Park from 9pm-2am. 1540 N. Milwaukee. Free Cover, Free Pizza. We feature Freestyle Rap Open Mic for local rappers, Live Painters, HipHop/House Music, and great drink specials.*

Furthermore, SAM I AM was chosen as one of the feature MC's for indie film Roof Top Hip-Hop. This film details the trials and triumphs of nine up and coming veteran Chicago emcees. He was chosen mostly on his uncanny improvisational, freestyle ability.

Website: www.rooftophiphop.com

SAM I AM has shared the stage with prominent hip-hop artists such as: CLIPSE, The Black Eyed Peas, De La Soul, WyClef, Krs-1, Talib Kweli, MC Lyte, Guru (of Gangstarr), and many others.