Bio:
Born on the Southside of Chicago, and raised both there and in Minneapolis, Mic Crenshaw is a world class MC and poet now emerging on the national - and international stage.

As a youth, Mic was embroiled in the violent streets of Minneapolis, leading groups to physically confront white supremacist gangs that were dominating local parks and venues around the growing hardcore music scene of the mid to late '80's.   

After beating back the neo-nazis, Crenshaw escaped the violence, leaving the music and activism he started in Minneapolis and moving to Portland, OR.  In Portland, he quickly became one of the most respected artists in the Northwest. In 2001, Crenshaw won The Portland Poetry Slam Championship and went on to finish as a national finalist. The Portland Mercury called Crenshaw (with the Lifesavas) “two of the very best hip-hop acts in PDX”.

In 2009, Mic released his debut solo CD, "Thinking Out Loud", which spent 10 weeks in the top 10 on College Music Journal's (CMJ) National Radio Hip Hop Charts, peaking at number 4.  

"Mic Crenshaw blends his smooth flow with a street-hardened attitude, effortlessly spitting rhymes over a menagerie of horns, drums and keys. Fifteen years of making music, helping those less fortunate and social activism has made Mic Crenshaw a force worthy of a new generation of listeners." – College Music Journal 

Crenshaw’s 2nd solo release, ‘Under The Sun,’ was released in the winter of 2010.  Single ‘Yeah’ peaked at #2 on CMJ’s Hip Hop Charts.

"'Under the Sun,' serves up potent post-millennial rapping.  Crenshaw’s flow ranges from a sensual ooze to machine-gun rapid-fire spitfire; and his musical backdrops are always masterfully creative." - Billboard 
     
In Portland, Mic's community efforts have expanded locally - and internationally. After attending a Human Rights conference in Rwanda, he started his own non-profit Global Fam.  MC used Global Fam to help setup and maintain a computer center for disadvantaged youth in Burundi, Central Africa.  Over 400 people have received free training and it is now expanding, generating revenue and creating jobs.  Crenshaw is also the Executive Director of the non-profit Education Without Borders (EWOB). EWOB helps education, music and art initiatives in Portland and beyond, as well serving as an umbrella for the local Books For Prisoners chapter and Global Fam itself.   

Crenshaw is currently recording music for his 3rd solo album, releasing the first single 'Superheroes' ft. Dead Prez, as well as a rock/rap EP entitled Bionic Metal.