Main N Merc: Comin' Up by Pushin' the Pen Harder than Ever

These two cats straight out of Virginia are focused on developing a recipe for hip-hop stardom that is reminiscent of other legendary duos such as EPMD, Young Gunz and Outkast. As a tandem, they are driven to take themselves to the top by focusing on beats and lyrics that can be enjoyed in the club, in the ‘hood or bumpin’ in the ride. Trying to emulate their role models in the business, Russell Simmons and Sean Combs, Main and Merc are as driven as any act before them and were always searching for ways to catch their break in the rap game. One day while in Virginia, the two scoped local native Missy Elliott walking down the street, and because there is no shame in their game, they approached her and began spitting freestyle. Missy had mad respect for them, but it was someone else in the crowd that noticed them. With Missy that day was her choreographer Punch, who was impressed by the two’s motivation and fearless attitude in trying to get her attention. Punch knows talent when he sees it, having been the dance choreographer for Superstars such as Missy herself, Usher and P. Diddy. Punch knew that NHL Superstar Anson Carter was in the planning stages of creating Big Up Entertainment and was searching for hard-working, surefire artists that could represent Big Up on the Billboard charts and accept VMA awards year after year. Main and Merc caught Mr. Carter’s attention, and he immediately recognized their tenacity and desire to be part of the Big Up family that had yet to be developed. Because of this motivation and attitude, Mr. Carter signed Main and Merc as the first Big Up artist and went to work crafting the beats and lyrics that would set this tandem apart and mark their place in hip-hop history.

Not afraid of hard work and sleepless nights, Main and Merc recorded their first album while both attending Virginia Commonwealth University studying Business Administration. Their music and approach to the business is influenced by so many different aspects of life, including the streets, struggles with pressure, courting the honeys, the desire to stay positive and the focus on success. Knowing full well that many have tried and the chosen are few in the rap game, they are determined to keep bringing the noise by working hard and always raising the bar.