Vast Aire

Born in Mount Vernon NY (Uptown) February 5, 1978 This talented MC, Vast Aire started rhyming at 10 years old while living in Jamaica Queens Soon after he relocated to Harlem and perfected his craft.

During this time he met a hand full of Mc's one of them being Vordul Mega Together they would cut school and run the streets lyrically slicing up and devouring fellow Mc's Hence the nick names the Cannibals. Shortly after this occurrence the Atoms Family [A large crew of DJ's Producers and Rappers] was formed. The crew consisted of Cryptic One, Alaska, Vordul Megilah, Vast Aire, PAWL, Jestoneart, Windenbreeze, and Cip One. Although the crew originally consisted of 23 members, these are the eight that survived the grimy industry.

Known for his ability to draw and play football Vast quickly fell in love with poetry and music. By the time he was sixteen he was performing at every underground hip hop club in New York city such as Wetlands, The Cooler, Nuerican Poets Café, Baby Jupiter, SOB's, Knitting factory, and many more!!! By 1997, Vast had started to build relationships with the Indelible Mc's. He had meet EL-P of Company Flow at a show where Atoms opened up for the Indelibles.

From that night on the vibes were right and every one knew that music would be made!!!! By 98' Vast was a hype man for Co Flow, along with Vordul, BMS, and Mr. Lif. There was a lot of touring and a lot of paying dues. Including Rawkus tours (Little Johnny from the Hospital) this project was El-P's instrumental album But the tours would showcase live Mc's, Including Vast Aire. Soon after this you would hear Vast on the CM Famalam Radio Show, and other underground Radio stations.

At this time Atom's FAM decided to go separate routes. Basically everyone would put out Solo ventures and rep the crew. In the end we were to come back and form Voltron, and this is what you see right before your eyes!!! Atom FAM projects included Center of da web, The Persecution of hip hop (a Compilation), and The Prequel which all were released on Centrifugal Phorce Records (CPR) the first being in 95' and the last in 2000.

At this time Vast & Vordul were working on a lot of music together because they came from the same neighborhood, and enjoyed the differences in styles. Still just coming up in the game distribution was complicated to get But one day that all came to an end.

El-P called Cannibal Ox and asked if they would be interested in working on an EP. Being fans of EL-P's ideas they started working on the "Cold Vein". Once they reached 6 to 7 songs they realized that they had an incredible album And decided that they would extend the EP to a full length LP. Hence the beginnings of Def Jux.

Working hard for a year and a half, Cold Vein became a success. Since then it's been a lot of touring, growth, and exposure. Now Vast Aire has returned to his original plans. He was working on solo album in late 99'; he reached 5 or 6 songs and decided that the Cold Vein project was more important. Now that that record is triumphant he has returned to his roots!!!!!!

The New York-based rapper Vast Aire first appeared on the East Coast's underground hip-hop scene as part of the Atoms Family collective in the late '90s, but he gained wider attention as one half of the duo Cannibal Ox alongside Vordul Megilah. In collaboration with producer El-P (also the head of their label, Definitive Jux Records), the quirky duo debuted with 2001's The Cold Vein. This album's mixture of hard beats, gritty street rhyming, and woozy, nearly psychedelic textures earned comparisons both to Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest, a tribute to the duo's ability to integrate opposing influences. Although Cannibal Ox never officially split up, Vast Aire soon turned his attention to his solo career beginning with a self-distributed mixtape entitled Dirty Magazine. His proper solo debut, 2004's Look Mom... No Hands, featured guest appearances by Megilah, Madlib, MF Doom, and Aesop Rock, among others. In contrast, Vast Aire's second solo album, 2005's The Best Damn Rap Show, gave co-credit to producer Mighty Mi but otherwise lacked the presence of guest stars. Its release was followed by the reappearance of Cannibal Ox with 2005's Return of the Ox, a live album recorded at the CMJ Music Marathon, and Deuces Wild saw Vast Aire returning to the solo game in 2008. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide