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In a sweltering summer in the City That Never Sleeps Steven Oxley was born to a life destined for creativity. Hip-Hop is burned deep in the double helix of his DNA as is evidenced in his many creative talents. At the tender age of twelve his creative spark was fanned into a life long fire burning for expression and experimentation in the arts. First and foremost he is an MC and a Rapper. His skills were honed under the expert tutelage of The Rhythm Rocker, Omar Islam and Brother Mentor of the BBB Militia (all of whom were also the founding members of The Universal Zulu Nation Miami Chapter).

Oxley, under the nom de plum Steve Austin, would garner respect on the streets of New York City and beyond on his journey towards his chosen path. Steve Austin was known to tear apart all contenders in ciphers and open mics and gained a reputation as being a rapper that was metaphysical and eccentric in his rhymes and ruthless in his persistence. Steve Austin commanded the respect of many publications and has graced the pages of The Miami Herald, Free, Mass Appeal, Trace, Goods and many others nationally and abroad.

His flow and chatter have allowed him to privilege the stages of venues in diverse Metropolitan communities such as New York City, London, Montreal, Miami, and Warsaw. In 2005 Oxley teamed up with the Neurologists to form the group Electric Fence. This collaboration culminated in the 12’ Record Ferocious as well as the Electric Fence LP. He has opened, collaborated, and/or performed with many and varied acts including, but not limited to, Modern Talking, Percee P, The Mercenaries, The High & Mighty, Neurologists, MC 3D, Ace Gutta (Ace Lover), Thirstin Howl III, Rahzel, Lordz of Brooklyn, Keith Murray, DJ Paws, NYC Lase, Afu Ra, Tede and Cappadonna. He has blessed the televisions of many homes worldwide on the stations MTV Poland, TV Poland, Viva Video Channel, and Bucktown U.S.A. He has also recently become involved with the New York Group Decepticons and has been ushered into their fold under tag of Trapbox.

Oxley’s intense and vast knowledge of music makes him a walking encyclopedia of musical knowledge which makes him an ideal host. As a DJ, he has released his mixed CD Midnight Special composed of his favorite party jams, and was a frequent co-host on EastVillageRadio.com’s No Hoes Bored. In the summer of 2008 Steve along with longtime friends and collaborators The Neurologists and Brandon Melendez started the New York Originals. As New York Original’s Steve 1989, Oxley has interviewed names big and small from Hip-Hop’s past present and future from the underground and the mainstream. Notable guests have included Chuck D, Blahzay Blahzay, and Persia from Vh1’s The White Rapper Show, among many others.

Aside from his musical influences Steven Oxley is a creative writer and poet. His Poetry has been featured in numerous anthologies and a spoken word compilation CD; all which were released by the Library of Poetry. He is also involved in a graphic novel/album project currently titled The Nexus Key. He mans the helms of his own company, Ebony Jewels Creative, as its C.E.O. and proprietor when he’s not in the studio, cracking jokes, or verbally abusing heifers on purely emotional scale. He also has been in talks with various gyms to train as a professional wrestler under the pseudonym 3P Steve Sancho (Peak Performance Personified); though he will only pursue this avenue if the right training conditions are met. At the end of the day Oxley’s main focus remains music and self edification and his future remains bright and unparalleled as he travels along his road to glory.

Discography

Neurologists- No Future LP – Oblivion (Track #11) – Mystic Gift Creations 2000

Free Magazine #2 – Compilation CD – Infinity Gems (Track #4) 2003

Cellarnoise.com – Noise From The Cellar Volume 1 – Infinity Gems (Track #9) Fall 2004

Electric Fence – Ferocious 12’ – Edified Gems 2005

Roey Marquis II – Battle of the Worlds Level 2 – Freestyle (Track #25) – Shen Prod/ Ming Dynasty/ Grove 2006

Publications

The Miami Herald – 1992

Mass Appeal – 2000

Trace #28 2000

Free #2 – Compilation CD – 2003

Goods #2- 2007

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Brandon Melendez is a writer, documenter, video editor, musician, and artist from Far Rockaway, New York City.

Born to  American parents, Brandon Melendez can claim both a Jewish and Puerto Rican heritage as well as a New Yorker's perspective. He was raised in the Jewish faith and attended The Brandeis School in Lawrence, New York for his Elementary, Intermediate, and Religious instruction. He attended both Lawrence High School in Long Island and Beach Channel High School in Rockaway Park, Queens. 

After taking a short break from school in the Fall of 2002 Melendez went to study at various Colleges searching for his niche. Among these schools were The City College of New York (CCNY) and The Metropolitan College of New 

York (MCNY). Brandon studied Elementary Education at the Associates level at The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and is currently studying American Urban Studies at MCNY.

            During this time Brandon started working as a Teacher Assistant at the Hebrew Academy for Special Children in Woodmere, New York. Every year he recieves Crisis Prevention and Inervention (CPI) training as well as a Occupational Saftey and Health Administration (OSHA) seminar along with various other staff enrichment programs. He works in a classroom based in the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Comminucation Handicapped Therapies (TEACHH) method. He works closely with Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists along with a variety of other related service providers on a daily basis. Melendez is adept in using and programing a selection of Assistive Communication Devices (AAC) and has served as co-chair of the Staff Assistive Technology Committee. His role requires him to take on and excecute behavior modification plans.  Furthermore, Brandon is involved in the lesson planning process and writes many adapted texts for classroom use.

             He also has been involved in many creative endevors including the musical duo "Cellar Door" with Duke University PhD. student Daniel Bessner. He has also been collaborating with New York Hip Hop Producer The Neurologists and will be featured on the upcoming album "As the Dark Settles". Other musical collaborations have included Steve 1989 (the Original New York Steve Austin) and Jason Goldstein (formerly of Staten Island rock band Two Beats Off). 

            Melendez is a documenter and video editor. All video projects he is a part of are edited by his studio FreeKosherRico Productions. These videos include The New York Originals series; a collaboration between The Neurologists, Steve 1989, and Brandon Melendez. For more information about New York Originals or FreeKosherRico Productions click on the FreeKosher Rico Productions tab in the navigation box

            Brandon is also a writer and hopes to one day be published either for academic writings and/or creative ones. He has been working on a Philosophy of Education that has been an on going work since 2003. He also has several short stories in the works at any given time. He is currently involved in two comic book projects. One of these projects is in collaboration Steve 1989. For a sample of Melendez's writing click on the Writings and Musings tab in the navigation box.

            Brandon Melendez is constantly working on various projects and gives his all in anything he undertakes. He can be contacted at BrandonMelendez@aim.com.