Mekz One " The Black Mage"
Producer/Artist

Mekz One "The Black Mage" was born and raised in the industrialized West Kensington section of North Philadelphia. Known for it's poverty-stricken, crack-infested neighborhoods and low-income housing projects administered by "Reaganomics", Mekz spent most of his childhood life on welfare, his mother constantly struggling to raise three kids under the harsh economic conditions of the 80's. Despite growing up poor, Mekz always had his head in the clouds and a active imagination, creating new ways to pass the time, when he wasn't watching cartoons. Mekz developed an unusual knack for patterns and drawing, doodling wherever there was blank space. As he grew older, he developed a passion for art and music. In high school, he attended The Youth Arts Program at Taller Puertoriqueno ( an inner city arts and community center in North Philly), which was directed by legendary grafitti artist Dan One. After acquiring the Fruity Loops music production program and a brief demo from grafitti artist and friend Ant5, Mekz vowed to use these tools for the sole purpose of re-conditioning sound. Utilizing the "chop & paste" method made famous by legendary producers such as Pete Rock, DJ Premier, and Large Professor, plus applying his unique touch, Mekz went on to create one of the most influential production styles in recent memory.

After passing a beat CD to Godhead the General, who was intrigued with the nostalgic essence his instrumentals carried, Mekz was introduced into the weekly cyphers, which were secretly being held in Center City Philadelphia. Mekz was soon considered a legend, bringing a new beat CD each week to display, while observing the different styles of MCing that were freestyling over the instrumentals.Although writing rhymes since his high school days (playfully creating rhymes with neighborhood friends, then the creation of the Grease Monkeys, whom he was a member along with his brother and fellow cypher vet Drunken Monken King AKA The Nature Boy Ic Flair), attending the cyphers pushed Mekz to open up a new avenue of creativity he could explore, freestyling. Pushing this creatitivity eventually revitalized his writing style, a style he never really took too serious. Recognizing his own potential, Mekz was forced to reevaluate his career. Godhead and Mekz teamed up, along with fellow cypher vet Ahd Child and photographer/booking agent extraordinaire Sabina Diaz, to create THORTakeOver, one of the most influential Hip Hop movements in recent years.

Attending countless of parties and cyphers around the city (outside the legendary THOR cyphers at Medusa lounge), helped expand his MC reportoire, along with Godhead The General, The Nature Boy Ic Flair, Divine Wise-Eternal (of the KnoMadz) and Killa Face.

Three years into the game, sacrificing hours of work, traveling thousands of miles has established THOR in Philadelphia, and also helped the Grease Monkeys get enough credentials to share the stage with the likes of Killah Priest, Chief Kamachi, Wise Intelligent (of Poor Righteous Teachers), Pumpkinhead, Rawkus 50 artists Phenetiks, and Cee Kno The Doodlebug (of Digable Planets) & The Cosmic Funk All Stars.

Though the Grease Monkeys are on hiatus, Mekz One "The Black Mage" is still armed and ready to move out and execute his actions precisely and progress naturally with the release of his debut EP, "Black Waltz Vol. One". "Black Waltz Vol. One" is an honest, emotionally-charged collection of vividly-detailed experiences described by an artist facing life's everyday's struggles and oppressions. With lush production handled by "The Black Mage" himself, "Black Waltz Vol. One" is a living testament of wanting a piece of "The American Dream" without following the high expectations society implements on the "average ghetto child". Mekz dissects a myriad of pitfalls that await many black and latino males in pursuit of this dream, while sharing his own personal trials and tribulations. Challenging the listener to think and the thinker to listen, "The Black Waltz" is a thought-provoking, social commentary that is sure to leave its audience spellbound.