Bio
Random Achievements:
Officially licensed by Multi-national video game developer Capcom for the “Mega Ran” album series
Music has been aired in TV (TNA Wrestling, ABC’s 20/20, Portlandia), movies (Second Skin, 2008), and in video games (Caster, iPhone and PC, 2009)
Online Hip Hop Awards “Artist to Watch” 2008 (long story)
Winner, AZ Scribble Jam MC Battle Preliminary 2008, competed in final Scribble Jam MC Battle in Cincinnati, OH
Performed with and opened for Common, KRS-ONE, The Roots, Little Brother and more
Featured in Blender Magazine October 2009
Featured in Phoenix New Times October 2009
Featured in Nintendo Power Magazine April 2010
Featured in Philadelphia Daily News October 5, 2010
Featured Artist, ReverbNation, September 2010
Featured in Game Informer Magazine, May 2011
Featured in Playstation: The Official Magazine, June 2011
Random, aka Mega Ran, Big Ran or Random Beats. Teacher, Rapper, Hero.
Random, aka Mega Ran. Teacher, Rapper, Hero. A 14-year music veteran, middle school teacher and videogame aficionado, Random’s songs are filled with all of the heartache, pain, triumph, tragedy and fun that come with everyday living. A Philadelphia native and Phoenix transplant, graduate of Penn State University and former middle school instructor, Random speaks to the everyman, transcending race or class barriers.”I never want anyone to predict my next move,” he says. You can, however, expect the unexpected from Random, hence the name.
Random made waves by going way left of his backpack roots when he released “Mega Ran” in 2007. It was an album completely comprised of sampled 8-bit beats from the hit video game series “Mega Man.” The album (and its follow up, Mega Ran 9) virtually exploded after video game corporation CAPCOM offered Random a special licensing agreement, and calling on Ran to perform at Comic-Con and other special events.
Random’s unique combination of fantasy and true to life music has garnered him respect and admiration from the genre’s toughest critics; Not many independent artists can boast having music utilized in television (TNA Wrestling, Portlandia), videogames (Rock Band, among others), movies, and university courses in several colleges in the US (Temple, Virginia Tech, Miami among others). Now that’s Random.
Random’s critically acclaimed projects as Mega Ran include FOREVER FAMICOM, a tribute to NES classics, and BLACK MATERIA, an album based on the music of hit Final Fantasy VII. Ran continues to reach new heights after video game corporation CAPCOM offered Random an exclusive licensing agreement, leading to movie, TV and game soundtrack placements and tours of the US, UK and Japan and more. Catch Ran on the front of leading hip-hop and gaming publications and sites, or at a show near you.
Today, Random is no longer a teacher by title, but still travels the world to entertain and educate through the gift of music. From the clubs and lounges to the packed comic and gaming conventions all over, Random’s music has managed game and movie soundtrack placements and press coverage in Playstation Magazine, Wired Magazine, The Phoenix New Times, URB Magazine, Game Developer, Nintendo Power, and more.
Something new… something different…this is the Random Experience.
