A Queens rapper with a streetwise attitude as well as a few ties to Puff Daddy's pop-rap empire of the late '90s, Mic Geronimo grew up listening to LL Cool J and Big Daddy Kane, plus soul acts like Stevie Wonder and Prince. Discovered by producer Irv Gotti (DJ Irv) at a talent show, Mic Geronimo signed to Blunt/TVT and debuted with the 1995 LP The Natural.