“I am not a product of my environment. I choose my environment. Therefore, my environment is a product of me. I would rather be hated for what I am than loved for what I am not...” TANK DOG. He first picked up a microphone at age 14 and recorded his first demo with his uncle, guest appearing on a song called “PUMPKINHEAD” ( a term used to describe a violent gang beating). Tank Dog lived in Chicago's south side for most of his teenage life before relocating to Minnesota in 1994. His gang affiliation followed him to the Twin Cities and soon landed him a short stay in a correctional facility for youths. After which, Tank Dog vowed never to return to jail for gang activity and focused on recording and distributing C.D.'s to all who would listen. In 2006, Tank Dog completed his first official project called “Bird Flu the Album'”. His first single off the album 'Let's Go Twin Cities' was a tribute to the town he now calls home. With more than 50 stage performances under his belt and over 100 recorded songs in his catalogue the fan base has grown to cover more the half of the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area. Although he gained a tremendous amount of recognition for his talent, things were the exact opposite on the home front. He would suffer a damaging separation from his wife and children due to the musical career that began to consume him. Tank Dog decided to address his troubles through a song entitled “Baby Is We Cool” in hopes of reaching the female audience as a spokesman for aspiring rappers. 17 years later since writing his first verse, Tank Dog strives to be the next new lyricist that pays little attention to the party-hop of today's youth and focuses more on powerful subject matters, creative content, and refreshing punchlines.....introducing hip-hop's brand new bad guy, TANK DOG. ACCOMPLISHED -ranked in the top10 out of 100 for the Next Level Showcase (sponsored by L.A.T.V.). -won first place in the Minnesota Music Countdown. -filmed a music video for “Let's Go Twin Cities” which currently has 14,000 plus combined plays on myspace.com and youtube.com. -hosted the Twin Cites Hip-Hop Awards and received a nomintation for Twin Cities Best Hustler. -distributed over 500 bottles of water to citizens of north Minneapolis during Minnesota's summer heat wave of 2007. (june 2007) -made front page headline in the local section Minnesota's Pioneer Press, with an in depth article of how a man juggles being a hip-hop artist vs a family man. (feb. 2007) MAJOR PERFORMANCES -Mankato State University (Pan African Conference) -Family Day Celebrtaion (Mpls Urban League) -Juneteenth Celebration (Mpls Juneteenth committee) -Nautica Thorn's Naughty Thanksgiving -Styles P (concert) -Plies (concert) Ruff Ryders Annual Event (chicago) Ruff Ryders Annual Event (mpls)