photo by steed media service

There was a time when lyricists ruled hip-hop. But as the genre becomes more popular, a vast number of non-lyrical rappers have been able to attain stardom by utilizing superior production and catchy hooks. While simple seems to sell, Metafore continues to push the envelope by reminding fans that there's still room for an accomplished wordsmith in today's hip-hop scene.

Born in New York and raised in Florida, Metafore has taken elements from the South and North to strengthen his unique rhyme scheme.

"Up north, rappers like to use punch lines and Southern rappers are known for having high energy in their music," Metafore says. "I'm influenced by both of those sounds and people will be able to hear that in what I do."

Metafore has been around hip-hop for as long as he can remember. As a son of parents who are former deejays, he was inspired by the hip-hop records they played when he was a child.

"I would listen to my parents' records and I wanted to be better than the guys who were rapping," he says. "So I started writing and when I was 12, I recorded my first song on a karaoke machine."

With his mixtape, Heir to the Throne - and album, On Everything I Love, Metafore has established himself as an emcee to watch in 2008.

"I try to put my heart into every verse," he says. "I want to bring it back to where people can listen to an entire album. I'm focused right now and I don't think anything can stop me." - amir shaw

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