Born Davood Asgari in Richmond, California in 1984, Locksmith is a rapper and producer of Persian and African-American descent who came to prominence in the early 2000s as a battle MC and as half of the Frontline, a socially conscious rap duo who chose to promote positivity rather than glorifying drugs, alcohol, or violence. Locksmith retired from the battle rap scene in order to focus on his career, and began releasing numerous solo mixtapes and EPs from 2009 to 2013. Locksmith's proper solo debut, A Thousand Cuts, arrived on Landmark Entertainment in 2014, followed by Lofty Goals in 2015. ~ Paul Simpson