It's an unique story, to say the least. Mekka Don is a rapper who quit his job at one of the largest law firms in the world to pursue his music career.
"People say, 'You're dumb. You're a fool to be doing this.'" Don said. "They see hip-hop as being taboo, and I'm going to change it. I still want to be a lawyer, but my passion is in music."
And Don is an unusual rapper, a unique personality in an industry that too often promotes crime, drug use, debauchery, greed and disrespect towards women.
Don is articulate and educated and wants to be a positive role model to the kids who buy his records.
Born Emeka Onyejekwe, the 26-year-old was born and raised in Columbus by Nigerian parents. His father was the Director of African-American studies at Ohio State, his mother was a professor in systems engineering. It was no surprise when Don attended OSU on an academic scholarship, while also joining the football team as a preferred walk-on wide-receiver. While at OSU he also made the Homecoming Court.
"I love Ohio State, I just want everyone to know that," Don said. "I was on the sidelines during the National Championship Game. The guys I played with, they're my brothers for life."
Courtesy of Soul Cabin Inc
Mekka Don, left, stands next to former Ohio State wide receiver Drew Carter.
He graduated from OSU in 2002 and from there went to New York University Law School, where he graduated in 2006.
All along, Don had kept his love of music. He grew up listening to Al Green, Prince and early innovators in hip-hop like Public Enemy and Run-DMC. When he was young he played drums in his brother's band.
But he found himself trapped in a $200,000 a year job that wasn't bringing him nearly as much joy and freedom as music.
"Corporate America, from the employee side is really discouraging. I just felt like a cog in the machine," Don said. "I have a lot of friends who are lawyers, and most of them don't like it. They're doing it for the money.
"I knew, the longer I stayed, the harder it would be to leave."
Now he is devoting most of his time to his fledgling rap career, something Don calls a 50-hour-a-week job, while also working with his sister on their small law firm to pay the bills.
He signed with the upstart label Move Records, and is releasing a mix tape March 31 titled "Law and Order" with DJ Mick Boogie, one of MTV's top three mixtape DJs.
He is releasing - in conunction with the mixtape - a reality show on YouTube.com, with a new episode every Monday until April 14.
Don believes he has an advantage in the industry, having such diverse experiences and being able to reach so many types of fans who don't necessarily have an outlet in hip-hop.
"I felt like I needed to have an impact on a large number of people," Don said. "I almost feel like Barack [Obama], like the leader of a movement."
About half of his completed songs are political, Don said, from growing up a son of Nigerian immigrants.
He raps about race-relations, economy, his experiences in athletics and law, about being educated and outspoken.
"I personally believe this is a media movement I'm making," Don said. "Music can affect peoples' lives. Kids listen to every word that comes out of mouths of rappers. I just know there a lot of kids out there like me."
Graham Beckwith can be reached at beckwith.29@osu.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
Be the first to comment on this story