The date: October 1, 1985; the place: Santiago de Cuba; a baby boy was born into a loving family in a seemingly unloving society. Rodolfo Reyes was raised in Cuba, the communist country just ninety miles from the Florida Keys. His child hood was much like any other native Cuban raised in the eighties: barely a meal a day, only a few torn shirts, and a single pair of shoes to wear. Being the grandson of a high profile political prisoner and head of an anti-Castro organization, Reyes’ along with his family was able to escape the country in 1998 in search of a better life. At only twelve years old, Rodolfo was thrown into an unfamiliar world, forced to adapt or be laughed at. Unfortunately, he experienced mostly the latter, unable to fit in to a name brand society, for his family was of the working class. His accent, too, became a hardship he endured criticism for, spending years proving his self to his peers. He finally found his niche when he discovered hip hop. Rodolfo found the true life stories of American rap artists to be captivating. Soon after, Rodolfo began taking cues from them, dressing in oversized clothes and following a new group of people. With the introduction of w**d and writing his first rap came the birth of MC Mafia. The halls of Hialeah Miami Lakes High School became a hip hop habitat, honing his skills rapping about the only thing he knew: the ‘hood, the ghetto, West Hialeah. Soon after, he became entangled with the streets, doing what he could to survive. Mafia succumbed to the temptations of women, alcohol and drugs. After years of just getting by, he finished high school and had nothing more to work for. Feeling trapped by the monotony of the ‘hood, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and met California rapper Dego during active duty in San Diego. The two quickly became friends and business partners. Playing the roles of producer and manager, Dego coordinated the creating and release of three albums. The 12 Month Theory (2006), Cuban Linked (2007) and El Regreso (2009) helped to establish MC Mafia as a top contender in Latin rap. During Mafia’s second tour to Iraq, he wrote and recorded Back At It Again. The album, set to release April 28, served as a way to relieve the stresses of war. Fresh off of active duty, MC Mafia has put the finishing touches on his album and is preparing for what lies ahead. Back at it again.