RA was born a revolutionary - constantly pushing the envelope, questioning “truths” around him, and keeping his parents, teachers and even his peers on their toes. Finding the Baha’i Faith a match for his independent beliefs - he converted from his entire family’s Baptist roots, at the age of 15, and became a Baha’i. In school, RA also raised eyebrows. One of the most memorable and impacting moments for RA - being “asked” to leave his hometown school and attend another outside of his town - just before his senior year - why you ask? For performing a rap at the school Homecoming Dance - about the Principal and her militant tactics towards students… Years later, after meeting his wife Mariangela (who now runs their record label SCIONtific Records), and having their only child, Madison - they spent almost 3 years traveling. First to Crete, Greece - then spending almost 2 years in Zambia, Africa. With Africa lighting a fire of rhythm in RA’s heart - he and his family returned to his wife’s hometown of Seattle, WA. RA immediately began to write and try to get his foot in the door with the local Hiphop scene. Putting their collective skills and efforts together, the couple created SCIONtific Records and released RA Scion’s first solo album in 2003, with Producer Solar Marquardt. With little money and simple production - “Apostrophe - The EP” got little to no recognition. Then in 2004, RA Scion released the full length LP “Live & Learn”. This album still had the Executive Production of Solar, but welcomed guest Producer Sabzi of Blue Scholars for two tracks - there were several guest MCs and even his daughter Madison and her friends contributed on a track for kids. The Water and Syria’s Concern turned out to get the most shine, although the album got little buzz from the local scene - Sabzi’s tracks were the gems of the album. Refusing to let the closed doors and lack of opportunity slow them, SCIONtific began to create shows for themselves. Creating the “5th Element Beatbox Battle” in 2004 at the Vera Project, they proved that they could run and promote a show. For two years running the event has been a huge success and has brought some of the Northwest’s best beatbox talent together on one stage. Realizing their chemistry in Hiphop, RA Scion and Sabzi collaborated on a new project - a group called COMMON MARKET. Together with SCIONtific Records they released their self-titled album that has already been more successful then the first two projects. Hiphop icon KRS-One even heard the album and Praised them with an endorsement for the cover. KRS then came and blessed their CD Release party in Seattle with a headlining performance - and then performed a Northwest Temple of Hiphop Tour with them in October 2005. This all got the attention of well-known band management team, FUZED MUSIC. (Known for their management of groups The Presidents of the United States of America, Reggie Watts, The Village Green, and Mountain Con) With Fuzed Music now on board, Common Market is poised to bring Hiphop to new levels of accountability - and hope to - with the Unity and Support that the Hiphop community is showing eachother right now - to put help Seattle on the map for Hiphop Music. |
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