Baba is a New York-based MC and hip-hop philosopher. Born and raised in Manhattan, Baba's Russian/Jewish parents were members of the Living Theater, an avant-garde performance collective that used to stage theater events in places as disparate or unlikely as a farm, street corner, or prison. The young Baba even lived for a time in Australia, where his mother was born. Baba channeled the cross-cultural sights and sounds of his youth into his art, and began to make a name for himself in New York City as a "conscious" rapper. Velour Records took notice, and in 2001 released Mind Music, Baba's full-length debut. A bouillabaisse of downtown jazz, didgeridoo, and straight-up New York City hip-hop textures, Mind Music was anchored by Baba's deep, singsongy flow, and suggested influences like A Tribe Called Quest and KRS-One. Velour released Big UP and Let It Shine as singles, and in summer of that same year, Mind Music was picked up for wider release. Baba has kept busy, performing with likeminded artists such as Black Eyed Peas and Jurassic 5. True to his roots in activism and awareness, Baba is also involved with New York City's DOOR youth development agency, where he coordinates a music and poetry program for children. ~ Johnny Loftus