Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, this self-produced rapper, who goes by the stage name Grand Lox, grew up heavily influenced by the New York hip hop scene. At the age of 12, he recorded his first studio single titled “Feelin’ You”—a mellow rap song largely inspired by puppy love—in Nairobi, after being discovered at a karaoke birthday party by a local celebrity. Grand Lox left his home country and moved to the United States to study aerospace engineering at the age of 18. As a junior in college, he set up a home recording studio and began his journey as an independent artist, making music focused on his reality with witty lyrics and clever metaphors. Three degrees later, this rapping Doctor of Philosophy still has a lot to say—blending conscious wordplay with melodic instrumentals; every song is truly a work of art.