2013 Champion: Raynel

Before Raynel became an MC, he produced a plethora of music for local Bay Area artists. First learning the craft from his step father when he was younger, he then created his own. Staying true to his slogan, “Keep Believing” he began to rap over his own beats. Influenced by monuments in Hip-Hop such as Cash Money Records and Kanye West, as well as social activist like Malcolm X, the young rapper began to find his voice and his niche for music.

Raynel was born and raised in Oakland, CA, where he volunteers his time and produces tracks for Beats Rhymes and Life Inc., an organization that uses Hip Hop as a form of therapy and a catalyst for change. Raynel currently attends Skyline High School in Oakland, CA.