(1959- )
Born in Brooklyn, New York
Birth name was Fred Brathwaite
Former graffiti artist
Weekend host of 'Yo! MTV Raps' (1988-95)
Appeared in the films 'Wild Style' (1983), 'She's Gotta Have It' (1986), 'New Jack City' (1991), 'Juice' (1992), 'Who's the Man' (1993), 'The Manchurian Candidate' (2004), 'American Gangster' (2007) and 'Rachel Getting Married' (2008)
Directed the videos for 'My Philosophy' by Boogie Down Productions, 'Wake Up' by Brand Nubian, 'Who Am I (What's My Name)' by Snoop Dogg and 'One Love' by Nas

He spray painted entire subway cars in psychedelic colors.
Despite being a pioneer as both a graffiti artist and a rapper, his art was never as well-known as Jean-Michael Basquiat or Keith Haring, and his records were not as successful as Grandmaster Flash or Afrika Bambaataa.
He made a guest appearance in TI$A's election video 'Imma Vote Obama Way.'

Through 'Yo! MTV Raps' he introduced a lot of people to hip-hop.
He was name-checked in Blondie's hit 'Rapture' and appeared in the video.
His declaration 'Aah, this stuff is really fresh' at the end of the single 'Change the Beat' became one of the most sampled moments in rap history.
His boom box was displayed at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History.

Credit: C. Fishel

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