What’s in a name? Well when you are talking about up and coming hip-hop superstar “The Astronomical Kid” his name says it all. “Astro” as he is known to friends and fans epitomizes many if not all of the correlations attributed to his name. Prodigious, epic, massive, are all perfect descriptions of Astro’s appeal and talent. This kid is a monster when it comes to writing and rhyming!!! Yes, he writes his own rhymes!!! Anyone having had the opportunity to experience an “Astronomical Kid” performance or have had the privilege of owning an “Astronomical Kid” CD can testify to the monumental impact this kid is sure to leave on the world of hip-hop. In an industry many fear is disintegrating because of a lack of true emcees, Astro brings forth a new energy with his versatile flows and straight from the gut deliveries. He has revived the hunger for true hip-hop in the souls of rap fans everywhere. At just fourteen years old he has established himself as more than just another child rapper, he is a respected lyricist.

Born and raised in New York where he resides with his mother, Astro attends high school in the Bedstuy area of Brooklyn. What sets this young emcee apart from other rappers is his ability to conceptualize and convey his thoughts over any track, in such a way that evokes nostalgia in the hearts of old school hip-hop followers, all the while providing a fresh new sound that is sure to get the heads of the new hip-hop generation bopping. A contradiction in and of himself, Astro is a diehard old school rap fanatic. He spends much of his time studying the lyrical styles of artist in the likes of Rakim, KRS1 and Run DMC, just to name a few. Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls and Nas also serve as sources of influence for Astro. His greatest musical influence however, is Jay-Z, to whom he is often compared.

Astro has developed into a force to be reckoned with, ensuring that all who attends his shows will leave feeling thoroughly entertained. The kid is a beast on the stage!!! After years of hard work or “paying his dues” as they say in the industry, 2010 proved to be the breakout year for Astro, gaining him much deserved recognition. Never a disappointment, Astro continues to wow audiences along the east coast, performing a medley of his hits at events such as; the Kiss 101.7 2010 Spring Jam, where he opened for B.O.B, Fat Joe, Melanie Fiona and Cali Swag District, The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, The City of Wilmington Delaware, The NYC Board of Education, the legandary Webster Hall in MYC and the Alabama Family Fest in Birmingham, AL where he opened for Chrisette Michelle, Kelly Price and J. Moss. All of which was just the beginning! Following the release of his first music video “Stop Looking at My Momz” aptly named after his single, Astro has joined the ranks of fellow Youtube teen sensations turned superstars; Justin Beiber, Diggy Simmons and Soulja Boy.

Astro’s undeniable talent has garnered the attention of everyone within earshot of his microphone, earning him a ¾ page write-up in the New York Daily News, an invitation to speak at the NYC Council against Street harassment of girls and women, mentions on all of the major hip-hop blog sites, including multiple features on Thisis50.com. Astro also gained the approval of one of the air ways’ most controversial personalities, Imus of the “Imus in the Morning” radio talk show. “Not stopping for a second” as the young phenom says in one of his rhymes, Astro is intent on world domination, saturating the media with features on BET’s “106 and Park” as well as dual features on MTV’s newest hit show “The Seven.” WPIX 11, Fox 5’s Good Day New York and Brooklyn News 12 are only a few of the programs on which Astro has made appearances. He is also featured in the December 2010 issue of The Source Magazine in their “Unsigned Hype” segment as one of rap’s burgeoning up and comers.

At fourteen years old Astro feels blessed by the manifestation of his dreams. With each performance he takes one step closer to becoming the artist he was born to be. His rapidly growing fan base reflects just how true to the game he is. In an era where getting up on a stage and just spitting a hot sixteen bars doesn’t cut it anymore, Astro gives a show that no one will soon forget, it’s an experience that cannot be explained, only felt. Dubbed “The Hip-hop Resurrector, “The Lyric Perfector” Astro is in two words… The Truth!!!

For everyone who knew hip-hop when she was about raw lyrical skillz and flaming deliveries, before she became the guinea pig for every wanna-be emcee across the board, dust off your boom box, lace up your Adidas and let The Astronomical Kid take you back to hip-hop. Buckle up and enjoy the Astronomical ride!

Something about Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” struck Marcus Canty at 11 years old. Where basketball shorts and Kobe Bryant once held a special place, Stevie’s Motown groove stepped in.

“At first I liked music, then it grew into love,” he says with a laugh. “Singing just grabbed me. I started singing gospel music, but Stevie Wonder really drew me in. Then once I got a little bass in my voice, I started going into Luther Vandross’ music too.”

For the 21 year-old who won the hearts of America on Fox’s “X Factor” talent show, it appears music loves him back.

“When I grabbed the microphone at the ‘X Factor’ audition, a whole other person came out,” he recalls. “I love performing for huge crowds but I started performing like I never had before.”

With enough talent to transform Rihanna into a shy fan admitting she “had to look away” as he sang to her, Canty is ready to share his smooth tenor with the world on his upcoming debut album, guided by his idol Epic President Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

Born in Washington, D.C., Marcus Canty was raised by his mother in Palmer Park, Maryland along with his older sister in a full house with their aunt and her three children.

“Family is huge for us,” Canty says. “We were all so close, my cousins were like my brothers. By the time I was seven or eight, they moved away and I became more of a mama’s boy. It wasn’t the best neighborhood, but my mom kept me out of the streets.”

Growing up Marcus’ father was around about 10% of the time, so his mother signed her son up for basketball to provide him with positive male role models. Basketball quickly became Marcus’ first love, despite performing in church plays at New Hope Baptist in Forestville, MD since he was in diapers.

“I always remembered everyone’s lines, I was in the zone at three years old,” he recalls.

But by his early teens, music began to creep in. Raised on a diet of Al Green, the O’Jays and Wonder thanks to his grandmother, Canty hit the talent show circuit and signed up for a show called “Talent Rock.” This talent competition marked the first of many accolades as Marcus was named top ten in the vocal category, print modeling and won an acting scholarship to New York’s School for Film & Television. At eleven years old, Marcus won second place with a rendition of Yolanda Adams’ “Still I Rise,” as he beat out competitors twice his age at the non-televised portion of Amatuer Night At The Apollo. By fifteen, Marcus now performed televised in front of the notoriously tough audience at “Showtime At The Apollo” and sang Trey Songz’ “Gotta Go,” which landed him second place.

“That was a breaking point for me, I knew singing was what I wanted to do,” Marcus says of ditching his basketball dreams and recording music with his cousin Deric. “I was like ‘I’m not going to be 6’5” so I should go where the money is.”

In 2009, Canty was chosen over hundreds of highschool seniors across the nation by the National Foundation for Advancement In The Arts – YoungArt (which recognizes and supports America’s most talented 15-18 year olds in the visual, literary and performing arts), and inducted into the organization.

After graduating high school in 2009 and exhausting the performance circuit around his native Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area, where he opened for Bow Wow, B5 and Hurricane Chris, the young tenor connected with an independent label from the Motor City.

“I went to Detroit and started working with a company called MVR Entertainment on an album that we were going to shop around to labels,” he recalls.

But while crafting what he hoped would garner a major label deal, Marcus heard about the “X Factor” auditions and saw his chance at stardom. And once he learned that music executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid would be serving as a judge and coach on the talent show, it seemed all too perfect. Upon graduating highschool, Marcus was faced with an ultimatum that left him at a crossroad. Implemented by his mother, Marcus was given two years to pursue a career in music and if he was not successful within that two year frame he would then have to go to school. It was at this moment that Canty knew his back was up against the wall and that he had to nail his X Factor audition.

“In my first audition, I was just excited to be so close to L.A. Reid,” Marcus says of his first audition in Seattle. “When I was a kid, I was always trying to get music to L.A. before I met him. My ideal label situation was him at the head of the company.”

After wowing “X Factor” judges Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell and Reid with an explosive rendition of “I Wish,” Reid encouraged the Maryland native to try compositions outside of his comfort zone.

“On the show, L.A. challenged my mind and my voice, he was a father figure and a friend. During Rock ‘N’ Roll week on ‘X Factor’ I wanted to do Tina Turner’s ‘Proud Mary,’ when I played it for him, he agreed that it was huge record,” Marcus recalls. “But then he showed me Janis Joplin’s ‘Take Another Little Piece of My Heart’ and it opened my eyes to versatility.”

Describing his sound as R&B with a pop twist, Marcus looked up to the showmanship of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Usher.

“The audience needs to feel every note you’re singing, and you felt what they were saying,” he says.

Now as he preps his own album, Marcus hopes to collaborate with Timbaland, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and even Quincy Jones.

“I’ve worked with Kuk Harrell, JQ and Johnta Auston so I’m already blessed,” Marcus says.

The young singer’s first single, following his departure from “X Factor” as a semi-finalist, is “Won’t Make A Fool Out Of You.” The Think Like A Man soundtrack cut shows off Canty’s pristine vocals and smooth tenor over polite keys, light snaps and a bouncing bassline as he promises to be honest and kind to his lady. “Shorty” boasts tender strings and lovestruck lyrics with Canty inviting his long-lost love interest to return to their “love nest.” Light drums and high keys guide the two-step friendly “You Make Me Dance,” where Marcus’ layered chorus tells a lucky woman that she “makes him want to be with her all day.”

“I want a classic album and it’s tough to get that out the gate, but I think it’s possible,” Marcus says with confidence. “It’s about telling stories and there aren’t many in music today. But I want to tell stories that connect with people in my own way.” 

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