IV THE LOVE: OHIO MUSIC PROFILE: MEKKA DON

Chukwuemeka Nnamdi Onyejekwe , also known as Mekka Don, is an American rapper, actor, model, lawyer, and entrepreneur. His projects include collaborations with Bizzy Bone, D.J. Mick Boogie, Sixth Sense, and

The Kickdrums. Most recently, his decision to leave his job as a New York attorney for a career as a rapper drew a mixture of praise and criticism on the law blog Above the Law following a feature on him that appeared in the ABA Journal. This decision was also profiled in the July 2008 issue of the hip-hop magazine XXL.

Background and Education

Mekka Don was born Chukwuemeka ("Emeka") N. Onyejekwe was born on September 6, 1981 in Columbus, OH. He graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, OH

where he was a two-sport star and member of DeSales’ State Champion soccer team as a junior and football team as a senior. He was invited to walk on The Ohio State University football team where he played wide-receiver and defensive back from 1999-2001.

Following his graduation from Ohio State, Mekka Don attended New York University School of Law, graduating in 2006 and passing the New York State Bar Exam that same year. He worked as an associate attorney at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP briefly before leaving to pursue a music career.

Career and Music

Mekka Don began rapping and performing as early as 1999, but did not take to rapping professionally until he left his job as a lawyer in 2006. He has been quoted as saying that rapping is his "passion". He has enjoyed early success with his single "U Know Mekka Don" reaching #2 on the college radio site www.rapattacklives.com surpassing singles from the likes of Lupe Fiasco, The Rza, and other well known artists He recently released a mix-tape with D.J. Mick Boogie entitled "Law and Order."in late 2008 mekka don released "For The Love" feat. machine gun kelly, and "I Wanna Play For The Angels". both produced by indiana producer brian "tails" harris. He has generated a large following on www.myspace.com where many of his songs can be found and on

www.youtube.com which contains pilots of his reality show The Legal Hustler.[11] Mekka Don' unusual career path was written up in the July 2008 issue of XXL Magazine in a story entitled Keep Pushin.
Mekka Don has also played a lead role in the critically-acclaimed film, Sweeter Without Sugar (featured as "Wes") which was a Best Feature nominee in the 2006 African American Women In Cinema Film Festival.

Mekka Don has become most notable for the release of an album with DJ Mick Boogie on January 13th, 2009 entitled "The All Eyes On Me EP."

The album was written through the eyes of Barack Obama and showcased the difficulties he will face as President of the United States. The album received critical acclaim with URB.com calling it "a beautiful stage show." The New York Daily News believes Mekka Don is "bringing change to rap." The Source Magazine called the album, "Your Inauguration Day Soundtrack." [15] The album is available for free download on URB.com and on mekkadon.blogspot.com.

Controversy

Mekka Don's decision to leave his lucrative job as a New York City attorney to pursue a career in hip-hop has been met with extreme criticism. Though the popular law blog Above the Law did not opine on the merits of his decision in its story, several of the blog's readers were harshly critical of his decision.[16] Mekka Don later stated that he is "trying to show that you can still make money, have swagger, have fun, and be young – all while doing things positively" and that "you only live once, so GO FOR YOUR DREAMS".

MEKKA DON THE "LEGAL" HUSTLER