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Hustle Period/Rawkus Records artist Naledge is focused. His walk is easy his talk is natural, and everything about him exudes the aura of a powerful leader. In the music industry, such a description might be used to describe a veteran artist or label executive; but clearly not a twenty-two year old . However, Naledge, born Jabari Miles Evans, is not your average artist. While determined and business minded, the rapper/activist/future leader from Chicagos rough Southside, is having so much fun. "I feel like I just do what comes natural to me. If wanting to succeed in whatever I do is called being focused or determined then I guess that's me. I just know I am having fun doing it. Naledge is a young man on a mission. And on January 16, 2006, the first step of the mission was completed, signing a record deal with Hustle Period - the brainchild of music executive John Monopoly - and Rawkus Records - the legendary hip hop label that will re-launch in 2006. Such label support would be more than enough for a new artist to smile about. However, add one of the biggest producers in the world to the mix, and the grin grows that much bigger. Hip Hop enthusiast and genious Just Blaze will be overseeing Naledges debut album, The Broke Diaries, tentatively scheduled to hit stores in the Summer of 2006. Naledge was always destined for success. At 14, he became a member of a rap group called FFC (Famous From the Chi). "We had a reputation for battle rapping and freestyling in ciphers or open mics. We performed every talent show we could find and we got a lot of local recognition. By 16, he authored his first book, The Straight Jab (2000, Jabari Is Publications). In 2000, he graduated from Chicago's Luther South High School second in his class, where he became a star athlete, and received an academic scholarship to the prestigious University of Pennsylvania. While music remained in his life, his main focus was on school work. As the son of two Ph.Ds, its somewhat engrained that education comes first. I knew I wanted to do music, but, at the time, I had priorities. At UPenn, he pledged the historical African American fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. At the age of 20, he started his own entertainment company with long time collaborator Michael "Double -O" Aguilar, launched a website, and continued recording songs in his steadfast mission to get his voice and message to the masses. In 2004, he received a degree in Communications with a minor in Sociology. With diploma in hand, Naledge was ready to one again turn his complete attention back to music. "I started Kidz in the Hall with Double O with the hopes of creating a vehicle to market myself as an artist and as a personality as well. In the process I figured I might as well not waste the education that I've received. My aim is to provide nothing but quality entertainment and brand a lifestyle that I feel is most congruent with me beyond just my music. I am a voice for millions of young people out there who have no one to relate to. Theres no question that Naledge has the capabilitiy to relate to millions of young people in the world whos voice is rarely represented in a hip hop world filled with gun and drug talk. However, unlike many artist who are constantly looking for a gimmick to stand out, Naledge feels he has the formula for success. "I don't reallywant to change the game. There's no reason to re-invent the wheel, Im just re-defining it. Revolutionizing it. I want to remind people why they liked hip hop in the first place and introduce younger listeners to the golden era of rap. I want to maneuver my niche in the pack and take my music to another level where an audience can step into my mental window, appreciate it and relate to it.
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