For Rapper Pretty Black, born as Matthew Odumuyiwa (1985 - 5-30-2008), signing a major label deal looked like a piece of cake. The young rapper has been paying his dues through the street and the independent route, now he is look for his chance to shine. Pretty Black grew up in the Streets of Chicago South and North sides and like any other kid from Chicago you had a hoop dream that followed. Everyone wanted to be like Michael Jordan. ...show more

For Rapper Pretty Black, born as Matthew Odumuyiwa (1985 - 5-30-2008), signing a major label deal looked like a piece of cake. The young rapper has been paying his dues through the street and the independent route, now he is look for his chance to shine. Pretty Black grew up in the Streets of Chicago South and North sides and like any other kid from Chicago you had a hoop dream that followed. Everyone wanted to be like Michael Jordan.

Standing 6'4 and 200 pounds at age 16 Black surely thought he was on his way with major Division I school's looking to give the youngest a full-ride scholarship to play basketball. He wanted to follow in the steps of his older brother that played basketball at a big college, and then went on to play in the NFL. It was cut short, Pretty Black and his friends were at a house party on Chicago's north side when shots ring out and he was hit. In turn cutting his basketball career short and so Pretty Black had to turn to his next passion, being able to rhyme.

At age 18 fresh out of high school Pretty Black was sent out to sunny California to live with his older brother. It was something he would never forget. His first shot at hitting the mic, was at the Hard Rock Café, which through parties every Friday night hosted by ICON Entertainment. Seeing the responses he had from the crowd he knew this is what he wanted to do. ...show less