Phoenix MC Random Juggles Teaching, Rapping, and Superhero-Dom

A A A Comments (15) By Mike R. Meyer Thursday, Oct 29 2009

Eventually, Mega Man manufacturer Capcom got wind of the Mega Ran project. But to Jarbo's surprise, the cease-and-desist letter he was expecting never materialized. Instead, the company gave Jarbo its blessing, inviting him to perform at the San Diego Comic-Con International, the largest annual comic book convention in the U.S. and a virtual mecca of nerdkind. Jarbo's partnership with Capcom also led to a sequel album, Mega Ran 9, which was released earlier this year as a tie-in to the downloadable game of the same name.

Due to the success of Mega Ran, Jarbo has decided to continue his efforts at bridging the nerdcore/hip-hop gap, alternating between video game-themed albums and standard hip-hop fare, all while holding down a full-time teaching job. So does Jarbo consider himself a teacher who raps or a rapper who teaches? The mixtape's title, as it turns out, is anything but random.

James Johnson

Random: Teacher, rapper, superhero.

Details

Random is scheduled to perform on Saturday, October 31, at the Hilton Phoenix East in Mesa and on Thursday, November 5, at Club Red in Tempe.

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"I think I'm just a teacher, so I would say I'm a teacher who raps. I give them both so much of my time, and they're both so similar that they kind of run together. There's teachable moments on the mic as well as in the classroom. They're both almost identical in that you're getting up in front of a crowd of people and you're trying to convince them to believe in you, whether it's 25 teenagers that you're trying to convince to believe in you or 25 skeptical fans. So it's the same thing. You get onstage, you're being examined, you're being judged at all times, and you're trying to make them believe in you. So they run parallel."

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Johnny Gobs 11/18/2009 9:59:00 PM

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAA RANDOM IN THE HOUSE 2NITE 2 NITE. I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I HEARD RANDOM I WAS GONNA COMMIT SUICIDE BUT AQUA SOUL SAVED ME LIFE!!! I apologize im on drugs but random rocks
Louie 10/31/2009 5:43:00 PM

Jarbo is a Teacher. Jarbo is a Rap Star. Jarbo is Real! It�s great to see Random Jarbo get a little local attention. �Bout time the local press take a look around to see what�s happening here. I know Jarbo. I know him pretty well. I worked alongside of him. To me, he was a great teacher and then he revealed his Music-Message-Rap thing. He does a great job of it. And the PhoenixNewTimes article does him justice. It might be kind of interesting to keep track of this honest voice into beats. Jarbo is inclusive, not divisive, what this world needs now. More, more. Louie
RD 10/31/2009 3:46:00 PM

It's great to see the New Times focusing on the positive aspects of the Valley Hip Hop Scene. Random is definitely the breath of fresh air that music needs. Keep it up Ran!!!
JOE MCPORNO 10/30/2009 7:41:00 PM

GOOD TO SEE RANDOM ON HERE!! LOOK OUT!!
tim wallis 10/29/2009 9:49:00 PM

An incredible emcee and one of the nicest, humblest guys on the planet. With his music and teaching careers, it's incredible how much time he can still find for his fans and other up and coming rappers. Great article on a great role model. There's more Random at www.nerdyrottenscoundrels.com
BadServo 10/29/2009 8:48:00 PM

Nice article. Very pleased to see some much needed recognition thrown towards a very talented artist. Not only is he a gifted teacher, and a damn nice guy, but he takes the time and effort to really connect with his fans. This assures his continued success when so many other overnight hit, major-backed, musicians fade into memory. His one of the truest voices in hip-hop and has the rare gift of not taking himself too seriously. I look forward to his future projects as well as more excellent spotlights such as this in the pages (digital and otherwise) of the NYT.
EL3G 10/29/2009 7:42:00 PM

Really good read. Random is a shining of example of all that's good in Hip Hop right now. Keep doing your thing homie. p.s. I feel you on getting tired of the blistering Philly winters, lol
EL3G 10/29/2009 7:42:00 PM

Really good read. Random is a shining of example of all that's good in Hip Hop right now. Keep doing your thing homie. p.s. I feel you on getting tired of the blistering Philly winters, lol
laziejim 10/29/2009 5:23:00 PM

Random seems to take all the negativity out of hip hop. His songs are more about real life situations and less about money, guns and women. His album, The Call, is a truly inspired piece of art and it is a shame that more artists (hip hop or not) out there today do not make music in the same vein.
Random 10/29/2009 5:38:00 AM

Thanks for the comments and thanks to the New Times for the look. Anyone brave and curious enough to check it out should come out to Saboten Con this weekend at the Hilton Mesa... :) hear some music at www.myspace.com/random215 and get freebies at http://random.bandcamp.com
Gerard Lelionis 10/29/2009 4:47:00 AM

This a good article on a great on a good rapper/teacher/hero, hopefully Random starts getting the recognition he deserves.
Panda Derek 10/29/2009 2:37:00 AM

It's great that there are still schools that don't follow a universal standard...i feel schools like that condition their students to compete for the same future, a future will limited capacity/possibilities...i'm glad random found a school that welcomes his diverse teaching skills...so, the students can aim for different directions, instead of conforming to a system that rejects many, due to its limit...�random� kind of teachers contribute to a student�s identity that will differ from students of other teachers, because their uniqueness influences their students, in many ways...in a society where so many people share the same ambitions, life is boring...like, the music on the radio...this week's top ten hits are last week's top ten hits�great music is made daily...these consistent top hits get old�but, because many are conditioned to accept it, they omit diversity in their life...that system promotes ignorance, the lack of diversity...so, thanks to random and the other non-uniform teachers...they contribute to a better life...also, random/mega ran puts on a great show, regardless, if the sound system works or not�don�t believe me?...pull the RCA cables from the sound system and experience it for yourself...haha
Mark Pheonix 10/29/2009 1:27:00 AM

RANDOM FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
L.F.P. 10/29/2009 1:14:00 AM

Wonderful story. We need more examples of positivity in hip-hop and dedication in teachers. It looks like Random is managing to do both, and do them both well. Way to go!
count 10/29/2009 12:50:00 AM

It's true, Random teaches many of us who aren't in his class. I've learned/listened to his brilliant message for a while now. He's a refreshing change to the main stream hip-hop that so many people know, one listen to his album 'The Call' and I've made believers of a few people.