Guerilla Black

Guerilla Black, the Compton, California MC whose look and flow evoke Notorious B.I.G., first saw the light of day in Chicago and later lived among relatives in Mississippi before moving to the West Coast. A promising early recording agreement dissolved, prompting him to walk away from rap altogether; matters grew bleaker still when meningitis claimed his wife, yet his brother urged him to pick up the microphone once more. Virgin Records took notice of his skills, inked him to a contract, and issued the album Guerilla City in 2004. The single “You’re the One,” which includes a guest turn from Mario Winans, began building momentum in the final months of that year.