Stimulus

In the same vein as Wyclef Jean or Canadian lyricist K-Os, New York MC and DJ Stimulus is not the least bit shy of incorporating his Caribbean roots into his work, although he is not as radically eclectic as the aforementioned two. Before releasing any solo work, he was known as the co-starring MC for the New York-based the Real Live Show, a hip-hop groove band consisting of himself, rapper Dionysus, and a seven-piece ensemble of renowned jazz, rap, and Latin musicians. Born Ian Lawrence in Brooklyn, Stimulus holds a degree in philosophy from the Vassar liberal arts college in N.Y. and has done music for the television and movie screens, including the Showtime crime drama Street Time and the 2004 horror flick Vampiyaz. His solo material had been sporadic and sparse until his debut album, A Kings County Tale, arrived in October 2006. The album contained guest appearances from Steele of NY rap collective the Boot Camp Clik, and Spagga of the Latin tropical band Proyecto Uno.