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Def MC 4Life

20 years deep in the craft - raw bars, real stories, and soul-driven hip-hop straight from the hills of West Virginia

25 songs
28 plays
Picture for song 'Ashes (ft. Caitlin Rexrode)' by artist 'Def MC 4Life'

Ashes (ft. Caitlin Rexrode) Ashes (ft. Caitlin Rexrode)

Produced by: Diamond Style Productions Featuring: Caitlin Rexrode Executive Producer: J. Umstead Sound Engineer: L. Luther Recorded at Mr. Smalls Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA

Alternative Hip Hop No samples

Picture for song '//red jacket freestyle' by artist 'Def MC 4Life'

//red jacket freestyle //red jacket freestyle

Written by: J. Umstead Sound Engineer: L. Luther Recorded at Mr. Smalls Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA Soundscapes sourced from Artlist.io

Freestyle No samples

Picture for song '//anemic freestyle' by artist 'Def MC 4Life'

//anemic freestyle //anemic freestyle

Written by: J. Umstead Sound Engineer: L. Luther Recorded at Mr. Smalls Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA Soundscapes sourced from Artlist.io

Freestyle No samples

Picture for song 'Rain' by artist 'Def MC 4Life'

Rain Rain

Produced By: E-Motion-L Productions Written By: J. Umstead Ad Libs By: J. Sowell

Alternative Hip Hop No samples

Picture for song '//bootstraps freestyle' by artist 'Def MC 4Life'

//bootstraps freestyle //bootstraps freestyle

Written by: J. Umstead Sound Engineer: L. Luther Recorded at Mr. Smalls Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA Soundscapes sourced from Artlist.io

Freestyle No samples

Show all (25)
I’m an underground rapper from Morgantown, WV, and I’ve been rapping, writing, and producing albums for over 20 years. My name’s a throwback to hip-hop’s roots when "def" meant excellent and an MC was more than just a rapper; he was a storyteller and a presence. My sound draws inspiration from East Coast artists like Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, and Lupe Fiasco. At the end of the day, I’m just here to make meaningful music that cuts through the noise and tells my story.
Band/artist history
I've done music for such a long time, and I've come a long way since my first recording almost two decades ago. Currently, I have 3 solo studio albums under my belt, as well as 2 group studio albums. I also have a few mixtapes floating around. The key to consistent work is just to write when you're inspired.
Have you performed in front of an audience?
I don't perform live very often because I've always been more drawn to the technical side of music. I definitely prefer the studio to the stage. However, put me in a room with a mixer and a mic and I'm a very happy man.
Your musical influences
I’ve got too many influences to name, honestly. I’ve always gravitated toward lyrically intense East Coast rap artists like Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Lupe Fiasco, and Black Thought. I’ve also drawn a lot from West Coast voices like Kendrick Lamar and The Game. To me, hip-hop has always been one big creative exchange everyone’s borrowing, building, and “trying on each other’s flows. These days it’s more of a melting pot than ever; the real difference comes down to the sound and vibe of the beat you choose to ride on.
What equipment do you use?
I record my music at Mr. Smalls Studio in Pittsburgh's North Shore. You can Google their website for all of their tech specs.
Anything else?
Lately, I’ve been experimenting a lot with a cappella raps - freestyles that rely completely on cadence and delivery to keep the listener locked in. It’s my way of making a statement in an era full of AI-generated music, but it’s also forward-thinking. Anyone could take one of my raw vocal performances, feed it into AI, and create an unlimited number of new songs. That blend of the human voice and AI creativity feels like the ultimate collaboration the best of both worlds.
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Hip-Hop & Alternative Hip Hop artist from Morgantown, WV. New songs free to stream. Add to your playlist now.