Payne

Payne born to Mexican parents, spent majority of childhood on the upper north side of Chicago . A Hispanic
young man who was exposed to the violence of gangs and drug culture that engulfed the streets of Chicago to escape (at least temporarily) from the harshness of his environment he turned to music at the at the young age of 15. Payne started out writing raps influenced by artists such as Jay Z, Big Pun, Nas, Nortorious Big, and many others. Eventually he joined a group called Spontaneous Combustion in 1999. Spontaneous Combustion went on to release the "Back to Basics"
mixtape which had some underground success while circulating through the high schools and underground scene. Soon after Payne felt it was time to pursue a solo career. So he set out on his own and in 2002 released the album titled "Who Am I?". Through the success of the album he gained notoriety in the local music scene and also notoriety in the streets. Pressing only 1000 copies he managed to sell every copy throughout the chicago land area in a months time
In 2004 through casual meeting of friends he was introduced to Battletek, a producer who owned an Independent label "Echelon Music Group". After a freestyle session , Payne impressed Battletek that within weeks he was signed to EMG. While still signed to them in 2005 Payne recorded tracks with Spree Isreal along with other members of Trendsetters 085 formerly affiliated with Power 92.3. Payne musically collaborated with artists Juice, Vision, Reap, Corona Brone, Nick Nitty, Swing, Epidemik, and Spree Isreal. He has also recorded tracks from producers Omens, Battletek, Soundmerchants, Vision, Skript, Swing, and Big Hurt-Em. Payne recently completed working on his latest project, an album entitled NME (No More Excuses). Before its official release the attention from the media is a success, with singles being featured on Chicago's Top Radio stations KISS 103.5 and B96.3. Payne currently is featured on the Be Seen Be Heard artist of the week on B96.3's website for the song "Hot All Ova". He continues to put in work, song writing, recording and marketing himself in search of that lucrative deal that all artists aspire to get! The album NME is due to be released in June of 2008 under EMG Records, Be on the lookout!