I recently came across some music on LA’s KCRW by Nicholas Giacomini who goes by the name “MC Yogi.” He’s got an eclectic backstory:

Inspired by artists like the Beastie Boys and Run DMC, he began writing and performing his own raps for friends at house parties. He spent most of his high school years at a group home for at-risk youth, and Hip hop culture provided both a soundtrack and a creative outlet during those turbulent teenage years. Then at age 18 he discovered yoga.

On a whim, he joined his father for a yoga and meditation intensive with a famous spiritual teacher from India. Deeply moved by this powerful experience, MC YOGI devoted himself to learning everything he could about the ancient discipline. He began studying the physical forms of yoga, as well as meditation, philosophy, and devotional chanting.

It was at a yoga teacher training program in San Francisco that he met and fell in love with his wife, Amanda. After there first trip to India, they opened Yoga Toes Studio in Point Reyes, California, where they currently reside.

By combining his knowledge of yoga with his love for hip hop music, MC YOGI creates an exciting new sound that brings the wisdom of yoga to a whole new generation of modern mystics and urban yogis. [Link]

I’m digging this. Given some of his subject matter it has the potential to come across as really cheesy but the dude rhymes with heart and without a hint of being self-conscious. Here MC Yogi raps about Gandhi to some kids (at a Yoga camp I think):

<

p>

<

p>

And here its all about “monkey power.” Nina Paley needs to get this guy on her soundtrack.

And how you like this one compared to Will I Am’s attempt?

You can sample more of his work here and here. “Ganesh is Fresh” is fresh. If you like then download from his site and show some love.