Clayton Gavin (born 1974, in Shadeville, Florida, USA), better known
as stic.man, is an emcee, activist and author known for his work
as one half of the political hip-hop duo Dead Prez. He is known largely
for his hard-hitting style and politically active lyrics, focusing
on racism, critical pedagogy, activism against governmental hypocrisy,
and corporate control over the media, especially hip-hop record labels.
Dead Prez made their stance clear on their first album, declaring
on the lead song, "I'm a African" that the group is "somewhere
between N.W.A. and P.E.".
stic.man was born and raised in Shadeville, Florida, a rural unincorporated
community in the panhandle. His elementary school was predominantly
white and rural, in stark contrast to his high school, Rickards.
In the song "They Schools", stic.man references his early
education: "I got my diploma from a school called Rickards /
Full of, teenage mothers, and drug dealin niggas / In the hallways,
the popo was always present / Searchin through niggas possessions
/ Lookin for, dope and weapons, get your lessons"
He used to relax on the campus of FAMU though he was never enrolled
for classes. There he and M-1 met and connected due to their mutual
love of music and knowledge. The two comrades' growing sense of Black
pride and political theory served as a common bond as they joined
various community groups, eventually forming Dead Prez as a rap group
and moving to New York. After a chance meeting with Brand Nubian's
Lord Jamar at a Brooklyn block party, the duo signed a recording
deal with Loud Records, which released Let's Get Free. But even before
the release of the record, Dead Prez amassed a strong and loyal underground
following through their explosive live shows, ardent community organizing
and top notch unreleased material.
"I don't really consider myself no producer, but I have fun
trying to make music that I wanna hear," confesses stic. "We
work with live musicians as well as beat machines. We lay the foundation.
We might lay some drums, and then build, either getting samples or
some type of rhythm in the instruments, or we might come up with
a melody. A lot of times the melody is the first thing for me in
terms of creating a song. I just start singing some shit and then
we start".[cite this quote]
In 2006 stic.man wrote two books. The first, entitled Warrior Names
from Afrika, is a compilation of African warrior names and their
meanings. His second book, The Art of Emcee-ing, is a 112-page resource
that offers a step-by-step instructional guide on how to emcee, unique
tips on voice healing and vocal health practices, and an explanation
on many aspects of the hip hop industry, including terminology, styles,
and business dealings. About.com described the book as a "succinct
panoramic guide on hip-hop wordsmithing."[1]
stic.man also maintains Boss Up, Inc., an "Atlanta-based music
and entertainment company that offers information, music, and gear
that reflects a sense of self-determination, creative consciousness,
and entrepreneurship."[2]
More recently stic.man has produced "Sly Fox", "Untitled" and "We're
Not Alone" on Nas' album Untitled. He has also rapped on other
artist's albums, such as Bizarre's Hannicap Circus.
[edit] Personal life
Stic.man has been married for 17 years and has a 9 year-old son.
He currently resides in Atlanta, with his wife and son.[3] He is
a member of the Nation of Gods and Earths and vegan as referenced
in many songs.
[edit] Solo albums
* Soldier 2 Soldier (2006)
* Manhood (2007)
[edit] Film appearances
He appears in the 2008 film The Black Candle, directed by M.K. Asante,
Jr. and narrated by Maya Angelou.