For nearly a decade, Mastamind existed exclusively as a member of the Detroit acid rap group Natas before releasing his first solo album in 2000, proving that he was more than group leader Esham's right-hand man. Ten years earlier while attending Osborne High School in Detroit, MI, Mastamind (born Gary Reed) passed a three-song demo tape to fellow student Esham. At the time, Esham had already released a debut full-length, Boomin' Words From Hell, along with a handful of EPs, making him a substantial superstar amongst his teenaged peers. Esham liked what he heard and decided to form a group with Mastamind and a friend named TNT. Together, the trio decided on the name Natas as a symbol of their disposition at the time and released their first album, Life After Death, on Esham's Reel Life Productions label in 1992. Subsequent years brought a number of follow-ups. In 1994, Mastamind's solo debut appeared, a five-song EP titled Lickkuidrano, but it wasn't until 2000 that his first solo LP appeared, Themindzi. With this release came critical acclaim among the hardcore rap underground, as Murder Dog magazine's readers voted Mastamind 2000's "most slept on" rapper while also praising his album. The rapper then went on the road in 2001, touring nationally for the first time and winning legions of new fans in the process. Mastamind born Gary Reed, spent his youth growing up in a rough neighborhood at the heart of Detroit. Turning to music at an early age Gary took the name Mastamind when people in his neighborhood started to call him the mastermind of rhymes. Gary also knew that he had a plan for the future and the rap phenomenon Mastamind was created. At the age of fifteen he met up with fellow rappers Esham and TNT to form the rap group NATAS (Nation Ahead of Time and Space). NATAS became underground legends releasing 5 successful and controversial albums. Mastamind served as a key writer for all of the group’s releases. NATAS’s dark imagery and fierce lyrics inspired waves of artists in the industry. Fellow Detroit natives Kid Rock, Insane Clown Posse, and Eminem have all cited NATAS as a pivotal influence on their musical careers. Back in 1994 Mastamind released his first solo effort, an EP entitled "Lickkuidrano". The EP received little to no promotion and sold remarkably well on purely word of mouth. His work on writing and performing with NATAS prevented the release of his full length until now. Six years after his first solo release Mastamind is back with his first full length offering "Themindzi (The Mind’s Eye)". According to him "Themindzi" is "all about seeing all sides of things, good and bad. It’s about seeing shit through my eyes." In my opinion Mastamind is the soul of NATAS. He is usually responsible for the refrains and the catchy hooks. When he yells "Mastamiiiind" I get chills down my spine. His style resembles Esham in a way but not as ruff. I think his best work was on the song titled "Murdaride" from his debut EP titled "Liquid Drano" a ways back. Catch him on tracks 6 and 13, and 14 on the new Natas album to hear hit at his best! Mastmind is a very creative rapper and look for his solo coming out early in Y2K. If it's anything like his Liquid Drano, it's going to be the best cd ever. Discography Natas Albums 2002 Godlike 1999 WWW.Com (Wicket World Wide) 1997 Multikillionaire: The Devil's Contract 1995 Doubelievengod 1994 Blaz4me 1992 Life After Death solo Albums 2003 Street Valu 2000 Themindzi Single/EP 1996 Shake Ya Butt 1995 Lickkuiddrano