http://www.myspace.com/urbalistmusic
Urbalist, aka Jesse Hershkowitz, was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1980, before his parents eventually settled the family in NJ. As a 15 year old, he spit original rhymes into his fist and postured for hours in front of the mirror. When he turned 18, Urbalist moved to Providence, R.I. and linked up with local producer 8th to form Infinite Impact Recording studio. It was in that studio that Urbalist began developing and refining his ear as a recording engineer. He also strengthened his writing and freestyle capabilities by joining forces with NJ rapper Moses "Moe Mentum" Hernandez. The two formed the group Hybrid H, which toured around the Northeast, where they opened up for rap huge hitters such as Bad Boy Records' G. Dep and Keith Murray and Erick Sermon of the Def Squad. He also performed at old school rap legend Kurtis Blow's birthday bash in Harlem, NYC, which was hosted by Kurtis Blow and fellow hip-hop pioneer Melle Mel. Then when Urbalist was in his early twenties, he moved to the blistering hot hip-hop mecca of the day, Atlanta, where he tirelessly promoted his music around town and in the clubs. One DJ finally played Urbalist's music just to shut him up. But once folks heard the young emcee's lyrical flow, they wanted more. Soon Urbalist was regarded as a force to be reckoned with on Atlanta's local rap scene. Everything was going smoothly for Urbalist and his dream seemed to be falling into place, when he was hit hard by the news that he had cancer.
In August 2006, only 7 months after arriving in Atlanta, Urbalist had to put his budding rap career on hold to fight for his life. He was 26 years old when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the bone. Although he was determined to continue on his path to be a successful rapper, Urbalist was forced to give up what he'd worked so hard to achieve. He headed back to NYC to receive intense chemotherapy at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Little did Urbalist know, his battle with cancer and the physically and emotionally debilitating treatments that he would endure would elevate his rap game higher than he had ever knew possible. In facing his own mortality, Urbalist gained insight and a deep understanding of the human condition, something a truly talented rapper must earn to own.
To keep his sanity and focus while undergoing treatment, Urbalist did what it seems he was born to do: He threw his head into it. Every day he pressed the pen to the paper and let his pain take shape into honest and witty rhymes. While other patients rested, Urbalist was restless. He was writing deft lyrics and setting them to fresh beats that he made on his computer. The result is a raw yet sharp grindstone album called Cancerous Flow: Lyrical Journal, which chronicles in candid detail the ups and downs Urbalist experienced while battling his cancer.
On May 13, Urbalist signed an exclusive recording deal with Seany Records and entered the studio with producers 8th and Vertygo to begin recording his debut album next month. Through his music, Urbalist hopes to unleash his insight onto the world. Along with Seany Records and subsequently the Seany Foundation, Urbalist is also involved with I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation. He is one of four young adult cancer survivors featured in a documentary created by the foundation to create awareness about the obstacles faced by young adults who are battling or have survived cancer. Urbalist aims to push this issue into the spotlight through rap, a musical medium that is popular worldwide and continues to influence millions of people. He is tapping into his talent as a fierce lyricist and intuitive musician and turning his personal goal to be a renowned rapper into a way to expand public consciousness about cancer and the need for research and cures. In fact, Urbalist has become an icon in the young adult cancer community and cancer support groups and has preformed at several of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life events.
You don't have to have cancer or be a cancer survivor to appreciate Urbalist's music. You just have to be ready to have your mind twisted by a player with a fresh game, a game that exposes how fragile life can be, while proving that anything is possible.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/urbalistmusic#ixzz12C5zigso
Loading...
7:27
Back to Life Part 1/4by tobyhersh1,027 views
urb is the man!
props from switzerland
akaidekliin 4 months ago
haha its siiick but u can tell its not a freestyle
thepringleguys 10 months ago
Not freestyle at all
jibbsandshake 11 months ago