I grew up with Chicago House influences, and an interest in hip hop beats as a kid. During the early 80's I was exposed to alternative music groups like, THE CURE, SIOUXIE AND THE BANSHEES, MINISTRY, SKINNY PUPPY, THE SUGAR CUBES-early 90's (BJORK),SIGOR ROS and the list goes on. I was a neo-punk in highschool, maintaining my mainstream persona in social settings. When my family relocated to Atlanta in the mid 80's I was exposed to southern rap and the like. It was not until my girlfriend, now my wife, purchased the rap group Outkasts's first CD, Southernplayalistcadillacmuzik (La Face) (1994) that got me hooked on their innovative rap style and the fact that Andre 3000 and Big Boi were influenced by all types of music, not just R&B, thus defining their unique style. All of the above led to this deep desire to produce my own music.