Born in Sicily, raised in Philadelphia, veteran rapper Vinnie Paz has fronted two politically charged underground rap collectives: Jedi Mind Tricks and Army of Pharaohs. • Paz is a huge fan of boxing. His stage name references famous Rhode Island pugilist Vinny Paz. • After moving to the United States as a kid, Paz started Jedi Mind Tricks in his basement with high school friend Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. They released their debut album, The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness, in 1997. Eight additional LPs have followed as of 2020. • Paz founded Army of the Pharaohs in 1998, but the horrorcore crew didn’t deliver their first album until 2006’s The Torture Papers. • He launched his solo career with 2010’s Season of the Assassin, featuring guests like Paul Wall, Clipse, and Beanie Sigel. • His 2012 sophomore album, God of the Serengeti, features rap legends Scarface, Kool G Rap, and Mobb Deep. • The rapper dropped his fifth solo album, As Above So Below, in 2020.