A father of two, Styles wears many hats, including CEO, aspiring author, and business entrepreneur, as he is part owner of the D-Block Car Wash in his hometown of Yonkers, New York. Realizing the importance of branching out beyond the world of hip-hop, Styles laments, “You got to do other things to get yourself ahead in life.” Despite his street persona, Styles regards himself as a spiritual person. He has been lauded for his thought-provoking lyrics and his ability to convey deep emotions. Through numerous street anthems, such as “My Brother” and “I’m Black,” Styles has a catalog of songs that emphasize self-respect and pride among dark-skinned people.

To read the article in its entirety, pick up the Summer 2008 issue of Beyond Race Magazine.