“Ever since I was young, music has been in my soul. I live and breathe it each and every day and couldn’t imagine my life without it.” My game plan is to redefine and expand hip-hop as an art form.”

Born Yannique Barker, Stack$ spent his early years in D.C. and Maryland. His story is a sure sign of hip-hop’s ever-expanding appeal from its inner city roots. Stack$ earned his name from a Miami rapper, Brisco, referring to his ill songwriting skills and multi-dimensional personality. He has plenty to talk about using elaborate rhyme schemes with a new kind of story —a young entrepreneur and film director immersed in hip hop, creating and finding his own way. The music business is in his blood – his father managed Sly & the Family Stone, along with Peaches and Herb. He also co-produced “Midnight Train To Georgia” with his partner, Tony Camillo, before he founded and built a successful, global aerospace company, and then later moved the family to Miami. Hip-hop’s far-reaching tentacles had already snagged Stack$, giving him the confidence to go after his dream. He submerged himself in studying the masters — Rakim, Biggie and 2Pac — crafting lyrics in the tradition of the great storytellers. “I rep 305 and Dade County,” Stack$ says. “A lot of people think I only hang out in Miami Beach. While it’s definitely a fun place to party, I find myself traveling and connecting with all of Miami’s multi-cultural areas. I rap about true life stories and experiences, the night life, my city, and the trials and tribulations of trying to gain acceptance in an industry refusing to change. I rap about the sublime and the ridiculous … from humorous incidents that go down in my daily life to the injustices and disparities that occur every day in society.”

“Everyone said I wouldn’t make it in hip hop, but I’m stubborn. I have to prove them all wrong,” says the new voice of Miami — a smooth, resonant and confident voice that strikes a nerve. Having worked with heavyweight producers such as Swizz Beatz, Pharrell, Steve Morales, and Scott Storch on his debut album CraZee & ConfuZed, Stack$ now aims to change the rules in discovering the newly emerging producers and artists of the next generation. “I have been VERY fortunate to work with some of the best in the industry. Now, however, my plan to is work with up-and-coming artists/producers/innovators who are tomorrow’s next big thing. There is an overwhelming amount of talent across the world and I look forward to collaborating with these visionaries.”.

Stack$ attended two years at USC’s School of Film and Cinematography in California, but set aside filmmaking to craft and release his debut album. Since then, he has graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Communication. Alongside his family, he has helped produce, A&R and release projects ranging from Urban Mystic, Brooke Hogan and Jah Cure under SoBe Entertainment. Since then, he has formed the subsidiary company to SoBe Entertainment, SoBe Films. Focused on producing everything from television shows, concerts, music videos and independent films, Stack$ is looking forward to merging his musical background with his education and passion for film.

Working together with his father or “Pops,” as he calls him, Stack$ learned that hard work ultimately leads to rewards; but it’s not money that motivates him. “Money can be a gift or it can be a curse in this life. Pops taught me that my ‘self worth’ is more important than my ‘net worth.’ My goal in this business is to gain acceptance and respect. What I intend to portray are real life experiences and genuine stories – disappointment, failure, success, drug abuse, sex, partying, financial woes, love, social, economic, judicial and political chaos – the type of problems we all face in our lives, no matter what our race, religion or culture.”

He reminds us, “All that should ever matter as a person or as a rapper is that one stays true to oneself and that we are real with each other; sooner or later, ‘real recognizes real.”’