These days, society is flooded with overnight music sensations and each has his own unique rise-to-fame story.  Once that first video blows up or that single hits the top of the charts, journalists from around the country beg to get a chance to publish the artist's life story.  They want to know who is the artist behind the new found fame; how did he get there?

RickShon is no overnight celebrity.  Hell, he isn't even signed.  But that is just what makes him so interesting.  We can finally learn about the artist before he becomes "the artist."  You've heard it before: RickShon is the next big thing.  But here's why I'm calling him so.

Twenty-four-year-old RickShon was born Roderick Rashawn Hairston in Asbury Park, New Jersey.  Raised in the borough of Venice Park, a.k.a. "Spark Town," Atlantic City.  The young "Rick" had visions of being big.  He knew he was talented from the beginning.  He just didn't know where to apply it.  He thought about acting, modeling, playing sports, and, of course, of being a vocalist.  Whatever it was, the illusive "they" always said he was going to be a star.

Rick chose to go to college and play football.  He had hopes of entering the draft, but it wasn't meant to be.  The passing of his late grandmother left him emotional, heart-broken, and too financially unstable to remain in school.  With defeat knocking at the door to his dreams, Rick chose not to answer.  He searched his soul and realized that he needed to get back up and try again.  Hence, the birth of RickShon.

In a way, RickShon was destined to a musical life.  On one side, he had a vocally talented aunt who sang professionally, and on the other side, a mother who cared so much for him that, in his youth, she kept him away from the influences of hip-hop.  Curiosity eventually overcame discipline as RickShon found ways to connect to the scene.  Hip-hop became a hobby and something he really loved.

RickShon's greatest influence came from NaS's world-renowned album, "Illmatic."  "It Ain't Hard to Tell" was the life-changing song that provoked him to learn more about rap.  This was real hip-hop, and he would base much of his own self-criticism on the lyricism and talent of NaS.  With a voice akin to no one, RickShon learned to bring a unique and distinct sound when creating music.  Flexible in tempo and marketable to all audiences, RickShon is bound to be the next big thing on the Philly hip-hop scene.  His first mix table album, "Under tha Underground," is a raw expose of himself; a man driven toward success has whole life; With true Indie style, RickShon is a man repeatedly knocked down, who refuses to stay there.

Read more in my interview with RickShon under the title, "RickShon: The Music Behind the Man: on my blog page.