Son of Nun
Rapper, Activist, Poet, Teacher
Previously Aired On: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 – Listen to the Show!
Political hip hop artist, former Baltimore City high school teacher, activist, cancer survivor, sickle cell battler, and recipient of praise by Public Enemy’s Chuck D as “[Leaving] a mean look on somebody’s face” for being “More than relevant!,” S.O.N. doesn’t just entertain his crowds he empowers them. The name Son of Nun is a biblical reference to the one who took over where Moses left off. Inspired by the Maroons in his Jamaican heritage and countless freedom fighters past and present, S.O.N. seeks to help pass the torch to the next generation.
Growing up with illness influenced his perspective at an early age, as did being the product of a single parent household. Painful sickle cell crises and hospital stays made other problems seem more manageable, and seeing his mother struggle to make ends meet was a powerful challenge to the sexist stereotypes he’d encounter as he met the world. Far from being an attention seeker S.O.N. was quiet and reserved, when diagnosed with thyroid cancer he was confronted with the possibility of losing his voice during the surgery to remove the gland. This taught him to value his voice.
