Born in New Jersey and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Mad Rican, also known as Baja, later moved to the Bronx. He attended the Julia Richman High School in Manhattan and grew up alongside an older brother and two younger brothers. During his teenage years, Baja faced personal challenges as his mother dealt with a severe illness. During this difficult time, his aunt, Smiley, played a crucial role in his upbringing, often providing support and guidance. To cope with the sadness, Baja immersed himself in music alongside his friend Joe Dynamax, whose full name is Edmontson Roberts, whom he met in high school. Dynamax introduced Baja to English rhyming and hip-hop production after school, and together they created demos, including a track titled "Black and Rican Flavor," blending Spanish and English lyrics.
Dynamax was deeply involved in the hip-hop scene, frequently attending events and networking, which led to the duo gaining exposure. Through their mutual friend Yvette and Zimad, they made an important connection that allowed Dynamax to present their demos to industry contacts. Eventually, Monte Cristo, a manager associated with Funkadelic, invited Dynamax to contribute to a record, but he insisted that his brother Mad Rican and DJ Keith Kayjay join him. This collaboration resulted in their first two professional songs produced by DJ Dee Nasty, a pivotal figure in the European hip-hop scene, under Polydor Polygram France. The group subsequently toured Paris for a week, accompanied by their manager, Smiley, who took on the role of road manager.
During this time, they were offered a chance to appear in an international documentary titled "Cultura Hip Hop A New York," which featured major artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Gang Starr, Public Enemy, and Brand Nubian. This opportunity was a significant milestone for the group, thanks to Dynamax's relentless networking efforts.
However, despite their early successes, the following three years were challenging as they struggled to break into the U.S. music scene. In a bold move, Dynamax called Mad Rican one night, expressing his desire to return to Paris to see if they still had a following. He invested his own money for the trip, and Mad Rican reached out to DJ Dee Nasty, who graciously offered Dynamax a place to stay. After taking a week off from his day job, Dynamax traveled to Paris, where he quickly found himself back in the studio and performing, which was a remarkable experience for him. Upon his return, he secured a record deal with a small French label, but since the contract was in French, Mad Rican sought assistance from his aunt Smiley, who referred him to a friend from her dog grooming business. This friend, Walter, connected them with another individual named François, who agreed to review Dynamax's contract pro bono.
Dynamax then showcased the Dee Nasty project on CD to François, who was impressed and mentioned he had connections within the industry. With another trip to Paris on the horizon, François arranged a meeting for Dynamax to present his work, leading to a crucial opportunity. When he met Keka, an A&R representative from Polydor Polygram, they discussed the potential for collaboration on a project involving various cultures. Keka expressed interest in working with their diverse group, and with her approval, they were set to embark on their next project with the major label. At the same time, François had scheduled recording sessions for Mad Rican and Dynamax, sending a man named Rodney Kendricks to the studio, who was revealed to be the son-in-law of Diana Ross.
As things progressed rapidly, Mad Rican received an invitation to appear on Rodney Kendrick's album, which featured artists like GZA from Wu-Tang, Jeru the Damaja, and Fat Joe. Mad Rican also included his cousin Eternal Science in the project. As Baja, he invited Eternal Science to collaborate on a track titled "Behind the Eight Ball," while he himself created a song called "Vida Venenosa," which garnered considerable interest from Polydor. Dynamax contributed significantly to the project, providing an intro, interlude, outro, and financial coordination, ensuring everyone was satisfied with the output.
However, tensions arose with the producer of Eternal Science, leading to complications as Universal acquired Polygram. Despite pushing forward with the project through 1998 and into 2000, circumstances eventually deteriorated, preventing Mad Rican from securing a contract. Meanwhile, Dynamax signed with a different label and began a new chapter in France, anticipating the arrival of a child with his new girlfriend. Although the group parted ways, they maintained a bond as brothers.
Currently, Baja continues to write lyrics and is a devoted father to two children, whom he is raising on his own after the loss of his wife. He has also recently become a grandfather to his daughter Destiny's child and runs a business with trucks operating across the United States.
