Raheem Jarbo, known as Random or Mega Ran by the video game music community, has always been a gamer. Instead of going out and getting into trouble in his youth, he spent much of his time in front of the Nintendo and years later decided to create a mixtape of Mega Man tunes layered with his raps. One day, Capcom contacted him about the use of their music in his songs. Fortunately for Mega Ran and the rest of the world, they not only loved his work, but gave him official sanction to keep doing what he was doing.

Before delving into the video game music community, he released The Call which gathered critical acclaim. The video for the single, “Push”, was nominated for an Australian independent film award. His Mega Ran series; which includes Mega Ran, Mega Ran 9, and the forthcoming Mega Ran 10; expanded his fan base dramatically. In 2010, he collaborated with producer K-Murdock, of Panacea, and created Forever Famicom, a hip-hop homage to Nintendo. His love for what he and many claim to be the greatest RPG of all-time, Final Fantasy VII, was captured and sculpted into an incredible album, Black Materia.

His desires to live his dream of music has recently encouraged Mega Ran to put in his two-week notice to end his career as a teacher and live his hip-hop dreams full time. Opting for full disclosure of this life-changing event, he’s started a web reality series, Life After Lesson Plans, chronicling this huge life change. This year, Mega Ran returns to Nerdapalooza and will be bringing Forever Famicom to the stage with K-Murdock. His recent preview performance at Orlando’s The Haven did not disappoint, and his Nerdapalooza show will turn up the heat. Was a his rap career worth leaving behind his teaching career? You bet! Come on out and give Mega Ran some mega props for keeping the dream alive!

Website: megaran.com

*WARNING* IF YOU HAVEN’T PLAYED FINAL FANTASY VII THIS VIDEO IS FULL OF ALL KINDS OF NASTY SPOILERS!!