20/30, government name Courtney Williams, is a solo artist, affiliated with the rap group "Explicit Crew", who grew up in the slums of Cleveland and East Cleveland. He comes from a poverty stricken environment, in which he had to do whatever it took to survive. He started rapping at the age of 14, but has been writing (Poetry) since the age of ten. Since a young child, 20/30 has loved both poetry and instrumentals. Rap then became a combination of the two most creative things that he loved. He also turned to rapping because it was his way of releasing the depression aggression he had endured at such a young age. From being shot at at the age of 9 (for no apparent reason), to losing his aunt at the age of 11 to breast cancer, then to losing his mother to breast cancer at the age of 13. Music, and I quote, "became the only way for me to express anger and frustration. I was always the quiet but respected type because when I spoke it had meanings of high volume. When I first grabbed a mic, I knew I had something to say and the public responded well to it." Though rapping for a little while, he didn't get serious with rapping till the age of 16. That's when he realized he wanted to make an official career out of music. That same year, 2001, is also when he founded his indie label "Explicit Records." That year is also around the time he started to collab with fellow lyricist JUST and his indie label "Eternal Lynx." Now at the age of 21, he will be releasing his first official underground album entitled "Next In Line." Though the album is already complete, 20/30 is constantly in the booth and perfecting his craft on a daily basis. I can't describe myself with a comparison to one rapper so here's a little info about my style. I feel I have a dipset-type swagger, a Lloyd Banks-type rhyme scheme, a T.I.-type hood appeal, with Hov-type versatility. I just respect so many cats in the game and naturally pick up similarities while also staying unique with my flow."
(Read the passage at the top)
I play live all over the city. I've been on a layoff for a little bit though due to the completion of my debut album "Next In Line", but now I'm getting back into the scene. Highlight performances for me would be opening up for major artists' such as Paul Wall, D-Block, and Bizzy Bone.
My musical influences are people who actually had something with meaning to say and said it. People like 2 Pac, Nas, Biggie, Jay-Z, Scarface, Snoop who told a story that you couldn't help but to listen to. Now that's real "Hip Hop." I can't describe myself with a comparison to one rapper so here's a little info about my style. I feel I have a dipset-type swagger, a Lloyd Banks-type rhyme scheme, a T.I.-type hood appeal, with Hov-type versatility. I just respect so many cats in the game and naturally pick up similarities while also staying unique with my flow.
Whatever my soundman Flex got.
(Shouts out to TD Audio & Recordings)
Debut Album: Next In Line (Available)
Next Album: Crown Snatcher (July 2007)
Also stay updated @ www.myspace.com/2030ohio