Badi Meccouri, 19, lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he records music in a home studio. Not just a solo recording artist, he also collaborates with some friends in a band called Monkey Gone Mad, which recently released a debut album. Here are a few of Badi's solo tracks, which feature Badi on vocals (reciting his own lyrics), and include Ian Rafalak on drums, keys, and mixing; Jay Rafalak on acoustic and electric bass; and Arya Chowdhury on guitar.

Reception

My first song recorded for the demo. This track is about me entering the world of hip-hop, what I plan to do with hip-hop, and the potential that hip-hop has. I ask the listeners to "receive me, I am hip-hop," Because anyone involved with the hip-hop culture, directing it to higher levels, is thus hip hop, regardless of race or creed. Hip-hop is an all-inclusive culture and is becoming one of the most popular genres of music today. I'm very proud of this song, being that it is my first official, original track.

Life Tests

When I did this demo almost two years ago, I had just overcome many major life tests. This song takes a look at the life tests that I faced, how they affected me, and how I overcame them. I know many of people can relate to a lot of what I say, which is why I put this song out there.

Part Of MY Definition

This is a very personal song about a very complicated relationship with a girl I had in high school. It's fairly self-explanitory. She is "part of my definition" because she taught me so much about love and I will never forget her. It's a very powerful song, not meant to be background music. To this day, her influence is still a huge part of my life.