A Queens rapper with a streetwise attitude as well as a few ties to Puff Daddy's pop-rap empire of the late '90s, Mic Geronimo grew up listening to LL Cool J and Big Daddy Kane, plus soul acts like Stevie Wonder and Prince. Discovered by producer Irv Gotti (DJ Irv) at a talent show, Mic Geronimo signed to Blunt/TVT and debuted with the 1995 LP The Natural. TVT wasn't exactly the most respected label in hip-hop, and the album made few waves despite the presence of several hard-hitting early singles, "Shit's Real" and "Masta I.C." The 1997 album Vendetta saw him with a higher profile, working with Puff Daddy-related acts the LOX and the producer himself on the single "Nothin' Move but the Money." ~ John Bush