Equan Shade Hampton (GamBino) was born in the birth place of Hip-Hop and Rap music Bronx, New York in 1985. At the age of 10, GamBino developed a passion for entertaining and started performing with his cousin, Michael Dickerson (Avenue), in front of a large amount of family members at various events. At the age of 15, GamBino began to take rapping seriously and started writing his own material. Being influenced by many great talented artists such as Big Pun, Wu-Tang Clan, and most of all Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs~n~Harmony gave GamBino his unique style of rapping. Although he has many styles, fans of (Killah Squad) enjoy the swift quickness that GamBino brings to the table.
Being the last recruited in the former three man group (Kreative Mindz)
along with Turbulence and (Killah Squad/ Iron Flow Records) member Jose (Piff), GamBino began to fade away from the scene as he started the upcoming of the group called Killah Squad. The term Killah means (Kreative Images Living Legacy At Heart).
Joining up with childhood friend Damien Mendez (InfaMan), they began their start to build the most unified group. Although GamBino went through many obstacles, he sticks by his favorite quote that he made, "Makin' It Is A Must".
The strict laid back, down for whatever attitude, earned him the a.k.a. (Rekless). The smooth, more personal side to GamBino which he calls himself is (Shade StoneZ). Many might say that he has a well thought gimmick to his character, but he sees it as simply showing the people all sides to his music. From the hardcore, to the most heart touching topics, GamBino gives 100% hard work to his craft.
Although GamBino is the founder and C.E.O. of Killah Squad, he views himself as a Killah Squad artist. Around the end of 2004, three talented, determined individuals were recruited into the KS Camp. Peter Anthony (Domino), singer Jermaine Reyes (Mayne) and the youngest, Melvyn Gonzalez (Nyte Da Don). Together as well as separate, they write and even help co-write for each other to help make hit after hit.
Currently, GamBino is focusing on finding a way to enter the rap community. In September 2005, GamBino was introduced to Productions, where he currently creates beats for Killah Squad as well for himself. In the future, GamBino looks to perform in front of mass crowds, and even achieve his dream of selling out in Madison Square Garden.
