| About Panama-Imthatguy | What makes a rapper stand out from the rest? Is it the rhyming ability, the crisp delivery, the voice, or maybe the swagger? Combinations of these factors are found in all the greats of Hip Hop. From Biggie to Pac, from N.W.A. to Public Enemy, all have found a different combination of these factors to present themselves to the world. But, before any of these greats showed the world what they had they had to present their talent to the streets. The Streets, where the craft of rapping evolved from, and recognition only goes to the real. Now, prepare for the one of realist. A man with all the factors above accompanied with diversity and a non-compromising attitude that demands respect and recognition. His name: Panama -ImThatGuy aka Panama Red. What separates Hip Hop from other genres of music is that it is a controlled chaos. It is a focused and energetic form of music that derives its substance from a poverty-stricken and hard lived culture. The first to be born in the United States from an immigrant family, Ricardo Temple Jr., Aka Panama Red has lived this culture from birth. Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised there till the age of twelve, he learned early in life that being real and hustling hard is what the streets respect. He would watch as his uncles and cousins run the block and it was these same uncles that brought hip hop into young Panama’s life. They would write lyrics and have him spitting them at house parties at the age of eight. At the age of twelve he moved to Hawthorne, CA with his family hoping for the chance to make a better life. After a year, along with his sister, and newly divorced mother, they moved to Van Nuys, CA in “The Great 818”. Out of the hard changes and rough separation grew a hardened young man eager to find his place. He traveled back and forth from Cali to the NY every summer till he was fifteen, and found his self to be at home on both coasts. During this same time Pana was introduced to the LA street gang life and began becoming a very active member of a local gang. Preoccupied with the street life at that time Pana didn’t take his music seriously until being invited to step into the booth one night at a friend’s home studio. It was the first time he ever recorded and that would be what started it all for Panama Red. Pana has appeared on many critically acclaimed mixtapes such as “Young Bosses” and ”The Board Meeting” hosted by the Cali Untouchable DJ’s. Also, his own mixtape releases; “Boss of All Bosses” featuring the street anthem 818 that set the streets on fire, and “The Rise” mixtape featuring the hits Let’m Hate and Call On Me. Panama has performed on legendary stages such as the Key Club and The El Rey Theatre in Hollywood, CA and has opened up for major artist like E40, Bone Thugz, DJ Quick and more. With a gangsters swagger, an unmistakable voice, a desire to be heard and an ever expanding fan base that seems to grow by the minute and reaches overseas, Panama sees no limits only opportunities. As Pana continues to push himself into the limelight, the constant talk about this man grows as expected, but in his own word “If you ain’t talkin money then there is no point in us talkin.” |
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