Maryland-born MC, producer, artist, and educator, Substantial, debuted in 2000 collaborating with the late Japanese producer Nujabes, who later worked on the popular show Samurai Champloo. Legendary rapper and activist, Chuck D of Public Enemy referred to Substantial as “One of the great MCs of our time.” Substantial has performed in 20 countries and his music has featured in films such as Kevin Hart’s Laugh at My Pain. Substantial is also a two-time Hollywood Music in Media Award nominee and has written and performed original songs for games such as Arknights, PUBG Mobile, and Mobile Legends Bang Bang. He recently became an official EVO musician and in 2020 featured alongside Yoko Kanno, The Seatbelts and others for the Anime Gives Back official cover of The Real Folk Blues.