In Baltimore Maryland, one of the United States most notorious murder capitals, Naeem Juwan began rapping at the age of thirteen. Despite claiming David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, and Prince as his musical heroes, he became completely immersed in hip hop culture.

At the age of sixteen, Juwan, the prep-trash misfit, was hanging out and dancing on the ghetto riot, sim-sex, dance floors of the late 90's Baltimore club scene. It's funny how he also found himself in the company of Rawkus (records) pioneers from the Black Star movement.

Spending time at the studio, on the radio, and in church with Shaun J. Period, Geology, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli, sparked a more serious interest in becoming a recording artist. During that time, and for many years after, he believed having serious interest in hip hop meant Brooklyn, battle raps, and fake New York accents, so at the age of eighteen he moved to-Philadelphia.

Although, the young, Naeem Juwan possessed habits of being meek and dangerously insecure, he began networking through Philly's music scene. After working with various musicians in philly, most notably, rap/rock visionary, Steve McReady, he partnered up with Baltimore native, producer, and long time friend Alex Epton (aka xxxchange).

The two shared a deep love of rap music, but felt disenfranchised by both the underground, and mainstream hip hop scenes. Gradually, they began to move away from traditional underground rap formulas. Naeem remains a rapper, true to his hip hop roots, but one who increasingly rhymes over an esoteric mix of dance music, punk rock and electro. Thus Spank Rock was born.

They began 2004 committed to bringing club music, pop rap and, lyrical diligence, together in a marriage that can only change hip hop for the better. When asked to describe Spank Rock as a hip hop artist, Juwan explains, "It's becoming more and more difficult, because at first Spank Rock was an outlet for me to express my innermost thoughts, and now it has become more of group project, an icon or vessel for my closest friends, from home, to share their creativity with the world."

Within a year of forming, Spank Rock has been enjoying some small success. After teaming up with party DJ extraordinaire, Christopher Rockswell, the trio began to play shows up and down the east coast. They are often accompanied by The Love Peace Project, a family of trained djembe drummers and dancers.

They have already performed with Beans (Warp) formerly of Antipop Consortium, MIA, and allstar philly dj's, hollertronix. Juwan's friendship with hollertronix dj's Diplo and Low Budget led to a record deal with Ninja Tune/ Big Dada In late 2004. Spank Rock's debut album YoYoYoYoYo was released in 2006 on the Big Dada record label.

Spank Rock has lined up with partner in crime, Benny Blanco to construct their new EP, ‘Bangers & Cash'. Inspired by the raunchy repertoire of 2 Live Crew, Disco D protégé Benny Blanco has created tracks based on samples from 2 Live Crew's extensive catalog of explicit hits, while Spank Rock contributes his signature rapid fire lyrics in homage to the originators of Miami Bass. And the rest is club rap history.

Cutting edge without really caring, phenomenally rude without even meaning to be, this is Spank Rock.

Catch Spank Rock: Thursday 10 Jan @ Metropolis Fremantle. Click here for more info.