Madgesdiq

When Purpose and Passion Spark Life’s Fire

The Story of Madgesdiq

In life, we all face the choice of following the conventional “mainstream” or following our hearts and embracing a road designed by a higher power to help us make good on our purpose. When faced with that decision, Portland, Oregon born, bred, and based artist Madgesdiq chose to set his hoop dreams and family legacy aside, to spread his message of love and unity through the power of words and music.

On a mission to increase the awareness of the listener, this child of the golden era of hip-hop and faithful follower of Rastafari, delivers words and prophetic messages that carry the weight of the masters who have come before him. His instructions penetrate the ears, hearts, minds and souls of all those within reach of his call.

When Madgesdiq steps onstage, you’re not just witnessing an M.C. whose positive energy ministers the universal message of self‐acceptance and meaningful living, you are also encountering an infectious spirit who is ready to take the world by storm in the name of love and divine purpose.

Since his debut release The Rebirth, Madgesdiq has continued to evolve as an artist. Each of his albums, which include the self-titled Madgesdiq, I Wanna Be Free, and Rastamerica (his latest and most personal album to date), illustrate the portrait of a man who continues to bring rhyme to his inspiration and inspiration to his rhyme, while at the same time carving his own niche, delivering simple, honest and moving stories that live within and throughout what he fittingly terms “Evolution Music, music that causes one to grow.”

Previously known more for his feathery jump shot than his poetic flows or head of locks, this charismatic figure who once played along side Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning at Georgetown University, starred at the University of Oregon, and played professionally in places such as Brazil and Portugal, has since crossed over (no pun intended) and now finds himself in a different arena sharing the stage and/or collaborating with such Hip Hop and Reggae living legends as KRS-ONE, Chuck D and Steel Pulse, saxophone extraordinaire and Grammy Award nominee Mike Phillips, K’naan and the modern day prophetic sounds of Midnite.  He has also appeared on “Lyric Cafe”, which aired on BET J and was chosen to be the opening speaker for the National Poetry for Therapy Convention held in Portland Oregon in 2008.

Using the stage as his court, the 6’3” Oregon native attacks the microphone with the same assertiveness, versatility, intelligence and instinct that he would use if he were breaking down a would be defender who attempted to stop him from scoring. His flow is naturally smooth, his body language athletically fluid, his energy infectious and his message simple but profound: “Be Free, Do You and Love Life”.

Not limiting himself to just music, Madgesdiq has also written and self-published two books of poetry; Steppin’ Out originally released in 2006 and Let Go published in 2012.  These two collections of poem and prose, which chronicle his journey towards freedom and truth, not only serve as a catharsis for the author, but as a source of inspiration for others as well. His willingness to openly discuss his pain, his fears, his faith, his observations, his aspirations truly resonate with the recipient, enlivening the spirit to the point that one feels compelled to take a deeper look inside themselves and a closer look at the world in which we live. 

When it comes to truth that shines an undeniable light through eloquent lyricism and ordered steps, you need not look any further than Madgesdiq. In him, you find an engaging personality destined to touch the lives of many, all while staying true to who he is and doing what he loves, inspiring others to do the same