Artist Biography for:
P3X aka “da Ghost”
(MJ Richardson)
Email: thapoet@gmail.com

web: www.myspace.com/definitionofx



The Person:
P3X aka "da Ghost" (Michael Richardson) is a diversified lyricist from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Born in Baton Rouge at Earl K. Long (Charity) Hospital, P3X began his journey in life within the grasp of poverty. He was reared just outside of Baton Rouge in the tiny rural community of St. Amant. It wasn't long before he took to writing poetry and short stories to express how he felt inside. His ability to express himself through writing seemed the only release for his pain and frustration, yet nothing seemed to lift the horrible burden of pain from his heart. By age 11, Michael had turned to stealing and drinking alcohol.
Plagued by years of emotional and physical abuse, he began to lash out, driven by voices and visions that seemed to encompass him. It wasn't until several years later that he could understand these were only illusions within his own mind. At age 15, Michael was sent to finally be re-united with his mother. Little did he know the years of emotional destruction would be the downfall of the loving relationship he'd hoped for with his mom. A short nine months later he would find himself institutionalized in the adolescent ward at Greenwell Springs Hospital. Broken down, emotionally wrecked, and now heavily sedated, he began to act on the suicidal ideation's he been ravaged by since he was nine years old. GSH was only the first stop of many on a train that seemed to inevitably crash and burn in Hell. Four mental institutions, LTI (Louisiana Training Institue) at Scotlandville, Jackson State Hospital for the Criminally insane, and eventually 6 years in various prisons and penitentiaries, led Michael to the point of either bending, breaking, or building. It was in these various institutions that Michael discovered his talent for twisting and shaping worlds into the unique lyrical style which would eventually become the rap that he produces today.
The Music:
After his final release from prison in 2002, Michael created the independant record label 'Da UndaGround Authority' (D.U.A.) along with J. Miro (DeJae Brown) in Houston, Texas. Shortly thereafter, forced by his parole officer, Michael returned to Baton Rouge and kept the label going. Gaining recognition as an Underground rapper, being loved and hated by many from Baton Rouge to Houston, Michael decided in 2005 to "expand" the label by signing several new local artists. Beginning with "Complex" in February of '05, then "Ambishun" in March of '05, He released "DOMINOLLOGY: Traila Parks and Projects" in August of the same year. Featuring himself and original DUA artist Jae Brown, along with Complex, Lil Witness (a Baton Rouge and Dirty South icon), One-i (of STS Records) and others. After a long promotional period, a list of live performances, and accumulating many "connections" in the local underground market, Michael from then on became souly known by his acquaintances as his pseudonym, P3X, or simply "X". It was then that he initiated work on what he hoped would be the album he would be remembered by, "Screendoors and Boxfans. " Including several paid features from T-Bo tha FireCracker (of Master P's The New No Limit Records/Guttar Music Ent.), Lil Witness (Shifted Ent.), One-i (STS Records), Cory Cash (who would eventually consign to DUA), South Coast Coalition (Dirty South Productions), Dirty Bird (Boot Up Records) and DUA's own 'Ambishun'. To round out the album, X would bring in the beautiful vocal stylings of Sedera Dennis and recorded most of the album over the beats of an aspiring young producer called DJ Young Mac (now also credited with producing tracks for G-Units own 40 Glock, and T-Bo of FireCracker Ent. to name a few).P3X is proud to have been the first American artist to ever record on Young Mac's beats. "I am greatly indebted to you George" is P3X's personal Thank You. "I am also forever indebted to whom I consider the MOST influential artist and friend in this business that I know, Lil Witness. Luke, thanks, 'nough said..." Finally, after several compilations with Full Throttle Music Group's A-mar and Dyl (quite possibly the future of "Jigg City" Rap) and another young producer, "Camplife on the Track" "X" is back to the reality of recording what he came to offer the "game." And that's what you will hear and feel when he releases "Screendoors and Boxfans :Take Two: Tragedy and Triumph" in 2008. Several tracks from the original will be re-recorded, re-mixed, and re-mastered, and you will hear at least 4 new songs on the revamped album. "I just feel like there's a few things I haven't said and I really need too say them..." says the artist. He also adds ,"I'm also not happy with a few tracks and I feel like they take away from the overall meaning of the title. So we're going to drop them from the original and replace them with some new material. This is kind of like my 'farewell'. Don't get me wrong, I hope to be writing, rapping, recording, and commanding a stage for another 15 years or more, but rap and hip-hop is supposed to be about having something to say, and there are to many 'rappers' out there today spitting alot of words that are void of any real meaning. Seems like thats what the fans want. Those rappers can have it! I refuse to belittle my art anymore than I already have." DUA expanded again in '07 by adding Cory Ca$h, Casper, and Drewzy to the line-up. Also in an attepmt to use the "sex sells" approach to the music industry, X brought in several DUA "Generation Triple X" models. All these decisions turned out to be bad business practice. DUA went defunct in September of 2007 as all of the artists slowly opted to go in different directions. In addition, Michael's family was split up (which he takes total blame for) and many of his existing "connections" turned away as well. Rather than being reduced to a shunned hermit, he decided to be a better, now single, father and begin a journey of "forgive and forget." "We'll see what happens...Carpe Diem... seize the day. That's all I can do. I've helped shape some of todays up and comers, whether anyone never gives me credit for that is moot. They know who they are. They know the impact we've had on each other. No one can make those (friends, artists, or merely acquaintances) to forget me. Isn't that why we do what we do in this messed up game called "rap"? Strive to be remembered? Or is it just for the money? All I can do is ask you 'How rich are you from being a rapper? {Laughs} You are the one that has to decide on what you consider 'riches'..."
The Culmination: