From the moment that Michael Eric Hill was born he was different. Brooklyn hospital doctors told his parents that he would only live three weeks, a thyroid condition his mother had was believed to have been passed along to her son. But Odie Hill had faith. She not only believed her son would survive spending three weeks hooked up to tubes in the hospital, but being a deeply religious woman, she believed her son was meant for nothing less than greatness.
Raised in the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn amidst such artists like Spike Lee, Chris Rock and the rapper Rakim, Michael was surrounded by an undeniable energy that he couldnt escape. At an early age hip-hop not only found its way into his home, but in to his blood. Throwing concerts for his toys by gathering them around the portable turntable in front of his Spiderman poster in the living room of his parents home, young Mike would play a mixture of songs by of U.T.F.O., Roxanne Shante, Rod Stewart and Rick Springfield. These varied selections of records would stay with him and help him develop his production and deejaying style in the future. But it wasnt until the day his brother brought home the Run-DMC record "Sucker Mcs", that his life forever changed. The beats that came from his basement that day could not be ignored.
Although music was a part of him, Michael needed to nurture other artistic aspects he had inside before settling on his true passion. With his good friend Serbe, the same person who years later would introduce him to the world of turntables and deejaying, Michael became a hip-hop dancer in the New York City club scene. Teaching himself to dance in the late 80s and early 90s by watching Video Music box with Ralph McDaniels, Michaels exposure to hip-hop grew. He started battling rival dancers in the clubs, winning contests and soon appearing in three music videos. "Good For We" by D-Influence, a group from London, another from Mark Wahlbergs alter ego Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, and a video for local New York artist and Wu-Tang affiliate, Shyheim for the song On and On. But the day finally came when Serbe would reintroduce Michael to the turntables again, where the art of scratching would become a part of his life. Although reluctant to try, once Michael did, he became hooked to the turntable element and began getting his own mixing decks. This lead to the production of his own underground mix tapes. Taking the moniker "Black Panther", which he later became known for, Michael released about twenty mix tapes. Ambitiously promoting, producing and selling them on the streets of New York with no known name and no management team to support him, Panther was approached by the representatives for the producer DJ Honda. Honda, a popular Japanese based DJ who became known here in the U.S. after his first self-titled album was released abroad in 1996, " h, dj honda bought three hundred of his double mix tapes to sell in Japan. That huge sale led to the purchase of his MPC and started him in to the world of production.
In 2003 Black Panther put out his debut album on Third Earth Music label entitled, The Darkest Night Ever. All 17 tracks received nothing but positive feedback and publicity from his fans and critics. With the hottest MCs working over Panthers always original and consistent beats, it showcased a talent that is undeniable.
Now, in 2005, after the dust has settled, getting back behind the turntables this past year at clubs and making a name for himself amongst the underground hip hop world of the city, Panther will soon be back in the studio working on his sophomore album, My Eternal Winter. This one will prove to be not just a follow up album, but a step above what we have already heard from him. Once again plan to be blown away by raw and explosive lyrics from some of the best unknown and known MCs out there and beats that cannot be ignored. We expect nothing less.
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