His freestyle battle with hip-hop superstar Camron is legendary. His life story reads more like a Hollywood movie script than a biography. And in the December 2005 issue of XXL magazine, Hot 97 DJ Kay Slay called him, Underground muscle.
Stanley Drayton Jr. was born in New York City in October of 1979, the product of a Puerto Rican mother and African American father. Sadly, seven years later, his mother would pass away, leaving young Stan to be raised by his single, working father and the mean streets of Harlem. However, it was here, on 139th St. and Lennox Avenue, that Stan would hone his lyrical abilities growing up alongside hip-hop legends such as Mase, Big L, and the afore mentioned Camron.
Still, neither fame nor success would come easy. And despite at one point tweaking the interests of industry heavyweights such as Missy Elliot, Violator, Epic, Bad Boy and Ruff Ryder Records, Stan Spit remained unsigned. Then in 1997, Stan was introduced to another up and coming rapper by the name of Earl Simmons (better known today as hip-hop superstar DMX). Instantly the kindred spirits formed a connection. And that connection would eventually lead to Stans first real break albeit on a movie set rather than a recording studio.
In 1998, Stan secured a role in Hype Williams ambitious and critically acclaimed film, Belly. His performance was strong enough to help him land follow-up roles in the 2002 film Brown Sugar, and the 2003 box office smash 2 Fast 2 Furious. But while the bright lights of Hollywood did prove enticing, they could not distract Stan from his true purpose music.
In 2000, Stan collaborated with Big L on two songs for the late Harlem rappers second album, The Big Picture. The songs became tracks 6 and 13 on the disc, entitled Holding it Down, and Who you Slidin Wit the former of which went gold, at one point beat out Nellys Country Grammar for the number one spot on Billboards Hip Hop and R&B chart. In addition, Stan appeared on numerous mix tapes while continuing to refine his craft and search for a record label to call home.
In 2003, he began a two-year hiatus, which he used to do some much needed soul searching. He also used the time to be with his wife, and two-year-old son, Stanley Drayton III or simply, Little Stan.
But earlier this year, Stan refocused himself, and once again turned his attention to music. He went into the studio with inspired dedication, and began churning out the foundation for an album based on his incredible journey through life. Again it was his friendship with DMX that helped get him going. Were spiritually connected, X imparted, urging Stan not to, Let the streets win. You have a God given talent, he said. And were going to do this.
