In a world full of diversity, rapper GaZa-Ny emerged in 1999 as one of the most controversial rappers to ever grace this genre. GaZa-NY expressed an outspoken, self empowered swagger that rallied the streets of his city and elsewhere. Using his biting wit and incredible skills to vent on everything from childhood experiences in the middle east to the cold streets of brookyn new york, his success was stunted by an FBI investigation in 2001 (confiscated his masters accusing him of creating music which can cause an uprising of young arab americans).

The controversy over his lyrics was the best publicity any musician could afford, and being the first palestinian rapper to make a significant impact in years may have given him a platform not afforded to equally talented African American rappers. Such headline worthy drama informed GaZa-NY’s provocative rhymes, which he delivered with both masterful flow and a wise perspective over breathtaking beats produced by “The Bellringers” (formally with murder inc., produced a number of hits, a few being “put it on me” by Ja Rule and “its so hard” by the late “Big Pun”) and “Young Gav” (brother of hit female rap star “Foxy Brown” and producer of hit singles like “Hate me now” by Nas).

GaZa-NY likewise collaborated with big named artists to work on releasing an album. He even linked up with artists such as Wyclef Jean, Mos def and Beanie Sigel. In the end, GaZa observed and decided to work on an album alone and used these influences to help create his own project.

Gazy-NY, second of four boys, GaZa-NY excelled in school with honors and achieved a Doctorate degree at the age of 22. He grew up on the streets of downtown Brooklyn, home of Biggie and Jay-Z in a predominantly middle eastern neighborhood on Atlantic Ave and Court St, also known as “Little Arabia”. Despite his lifestyle, GaZa developed a high degree of literacy that would later characterize his rhymes. At the same time, though, he delved into street culture and flirted with danger on occasional trips to the middle east, such experiences similarly characterizing his rhymes. A mix tape was released in 2002, sold out of the trunk of cars and apartments it formed quite a buzz amongst his peers. T-shirts were sold by the thousands and GaZa-Ny was becoming a name not to be reckoned with.

GaZa-NY continually matured as an artist, evolving from a young street disciple to a vain all knowing sage to a humble patriarch .His style was noted to have the depth of nas, strength of tupac and controversy of eminem. GaZa’s diversity was proven in his songs, going from a heart throbbing female tale like “Why I cry” to video and dance club record “World Party” he paints a perfect picture of his effort to touch a part of everyone’s experience. In all the controversy surrounding GaZa’s lyrical content, they wrote two articles in the “Source’ magazine on his music and he made the centerfold of “The Spin” in the December issue of 2001.

On December of 2005, GaZa-NY’s success began when he met up with middle east’s “Signature Productions” CEO and cofounder Nabil Joseph Issa. Nabil was working on an independent documentary of middle eastern artists affected by the world trade crisis when he came upon GaZa-NY’s name from New York’s DJ Stretch Armstrong. They arranged a sit down in a diner on the upper east side in NYC and that is when GaZa was asked to rap by Nabil. GaZa hit him with a breathtaking 16 bars and the rest was history. A few months later Nabil’s team flew GaZa-NY out to Lebanon where he worked with pop star Ramy Ayash and mega hit producer Jean Marie Riachi.

Amid all the drama, GaZa managed to salvage his esteemed reputation and reclaim his position on the New York scene. In 2011, GaZa and his brother decided to take matters into there own hands and partnered up to launch independent record label Floose Entertainment. GaZa has also recently re-released his controversial mixtape “Trapped in 2 Worlds” for free to more than 100,000 fans on face book and plans to release his debut mixtape “America’s Nightmare” early 2012. He also completed a powerful song with Egyptian pop star Lara Scandar dedicated to the courageous egyptian people of the historic revolution. This record was also produced by Jean Marie Riachi., which is set to be released later this year. The brooklyn born Palestinian artist is something totally out of the norm. I guarantee he will be a powerful force in days to come.