Hip-hop stories never begin in Pittsburgh.

They also rarely involve stories featuring both Jay-Z and Nirvana. And, while we're at it, it's rare that Penthouse models, underground mash-up tapes, mid-90s Bronx rappers Camp Lo and New Wave geeks Devo all coalesce in one person's background.

So, meet Pittsburgh Slim. He's different. And he's different at a time when the music industry could really, really use something special and unique. And fun.

Pittsburgh Slim--named after legendary pimp/author Iceberg Slim, as referenced in Jay-Z's "Kingdom Come" ("Where's Iceberg Slim/he was the coldest cat...")--was always an anomaly. He rocked the 412, literally. Growing up in the Steel City, Slim had a duel career going, rapping from the age of 12 on...and playing guitar in a variety of post-punk bands, all indebted to the warped noise assaults of Nirvana and Jesus Lizard.

Slim had no problems meshing his two worlds. Apparently, the music world didn't either, as his first group became the 'burgh's go-to opening act for some of rap's biggest names, including Jurassic 5, Nelly, 50 Cent and Ludacris. When they hit town to play the Pavilion or the Arena, Slim and his crew were inevitably the opening act. They even had a local hit or two - songs that somehow got play on alternative, rock and urban radio.
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