A Queens rapper with a streetwise attitude as well as a few ties to
Puff Daddy's pop-rap empire of the late '90s,
Mic Geronimo grew up listening to
LL Cool J and
Big Daddy Kane, plus soul acts like
Stevie Wonder and
Prince. Discovered by producer
Irv Gotti (
DJ Irv) at a talent show,
Mic Geronimo signed to Blunt/TVT and debuted with the 1995 LP
The Natural. TVT wasn't exactly the most respected label in hip-hop, and the album made few waves despite the presence of several hard-hitting early singles, "Shit's Real" and "Masta I.C." The 1997 album
Vendetta saw him with a higher profile, working with
Puff Daddy-related acts
the LOX and the producer himself on the single "Nothin' Move but the Money." ~ John Bush