Hustle Man 804     "Sean John & Ciroc"

Hustle Man 804 is the story teller and Passport Shawdy is the electronic dance music party guy. Born Michael Pilgrim in Richmond, Virginia, he was raised by a family that was financially poor but wealthy with love. In 6th grade he started hustling so he could have money to pay for field trips, because his mother couldn't afford to pay for them. Over the years of his young life he became a successful businessman.  Because he was often in the studio with his childhood friends as they made music, he wanted to express himself as rapper. But when his friends said he was whack because he didn't curse and didn't spit rhymes well enough to get on their songs; that motivated him to write and produce his own music.  And he excelled.  

Hustle Man 804’s first professionally recorded song, "Smooth Guy," became the #1 independent local artist song for 16 weeks straight in Richmond, VA. That led to him opening up shows for major artist touring through Virginia.  When he wasn’t able to generate radio airplay or support from local deejays, Michael made the decision to develop his own marketing and promotion enterprises.  He started selling his "Rep Yo City" mix tapes and "Virginia is for hustlers" apparel on the streets all over the state. That plan and strategy were successful and led to him setting higher goals for his music career.  Michael relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to attend school for business marketing/management.  While in Atlanta he continued to record music and promoted it there and in California.

One day in Hollywood while he was giving away free CDs, he met a deejay and a producer who quickly took to him because they loved his independent work ethic. He made a song for them to show his appreciation for their support and that song became an underground hit. Later that year that CD made its way from the "Tomorrow World" concert in Atlanta to London, where it was remixed by two UK producers.  That production introduced him to electronic dance music  and led to the development of his Passport Shawdy persona.  Because he loves all kinds of music, it was an easy and fortuitous transition.  Having a love for traveling, he went to Cancun, Mexico to promote the electronic dance music (EDM) remix CD for NYE.  Luckily there was a major Ciroc Vodka party at his resort and he was allowed to perform; and when they asked why are you here alone, his response was "my dream was to always leave the ghetto, do music and have fun with it!"  And that’s what he continues doing