Too Poetic, born Anthony Ian Berkeley on November 15, 1964, in Trinidad and Tobago, was a notable rapper and producer associated with the horrorcore rap group Gravediggaz. The eldest son of a minister, Poetic spent his formative years in the Wyandanch section of Long Island, New York. He began his musical journey by forming his first rap group, Brothers Grym, alongside his brother Brainstorm. In 1989, he released a solo 12" single titled "Poetical Terror/God Made Me Funky" under DNA/Tommy Boy Records. However, his deal with the label fell through prior to the release of his debut album, leading to a challenging period in his life, including a spell of homelessness.

Poetic later joined forces with RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, producer Prince Paul (formerly of De La Soul and Stetsasonic), and Frukwan from Stetsasonic to create the rap supergroup Gravediggaz. Each member adopted a unique Gravedigga alias, with Poetic taking on the name Grym Reaper—"Grym" serving as an acronym for "Ghetto Repaired Young Mind," also a nod to his initial group. His distinctive rapping style quickly attracted attention, and the group's debut album, 1994's 6 Feet Deep (originally titled Niggamortis outside the United States), received both critical acclaim and commercial success. Following the release of their second album, The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel, in 1997, RZA and Prince Paul departed from Gravediggaz, leaving Poetic and Frukwan as the remaining members.

In April 1999, Poetic experienced a health crisis when he collapsed in his home studio due to stomach pains, leading to a colon cancer diagnosis. Given only four months to live, he initially refused chemotherapy, opting instead for a regimen of herbs and fresh juice. However, after the cancer spread to his lungs, he began treatment. During this difficult time, he received financial support from fans and fellow artists, including Warren G, although he expressed deep disappointment at RZA's lack of contact during his illness.

While battling cancer, Poetic collaborated with The Prodigy's Maxim Reality and Last Emperor under the name Tony Titanium—a moniker given by Frukwan, symbolizing both Poetic's resilience and a titanium valve in his chest used for chemotherapy. He also continued working on Gravediggaz's third album, which culminated in the release of Nightmare in A-Minor, the group's most somber project that includes references to his cancer struggle, particularly in the track "Burn Baby Burn" and on Last Emperor's song "One Life," which vividly recounts his battle with the disease.

Too Poetic passed away on July 15, 2001, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, shortly before the release of Nightmare in A-Minor. He survived nearly two and a half years beyond his initial prognosis. The hip-hop community swiftly paid tribute to his talent and contributions, with an intimate memorial service held on August 4, 2001, at Riverside Church in Harlem, attended by family and close friends, including Frukwan and Prince Paul. In his honor, his family established The Life Goes On Foundation, aimed at raising funds for medical bills totaling nearly $100,000 and increasing awareness of serious illnesses.

Nightmare in A-Minor was initially released on August 23, 2001, through Echo Distribution, and re-released in 2002 by BMG, omitting the track "Better Wake Up," while receiving critical acclaim. Frukwan has indicated that there may be a new album released featuring unreleased material from Poetic.

Poetic's legacy continues through his daughter, Eunique Cudjo Berkeley, born September 13, 1995, in Hamburg, Germany, who is also pursuing a career in rap.