Alum seeks 'White Rapper' fame
'T-Mo' Rasmussen takes chance on TV
EMILY YOCCO
Issue date: 1/22/07 Section: Variety
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Until recently, however, his face had yet to conquer national television.
T-Mo, a 2005 University graduate, is one of 10 contestants starring in "Ego Trip's (White) Rapper Show," a new reality TV series that premiered Jan. 8 on VH1.
The show, which features new episodes every Monday at 10 p.m., challenges its contestants to "test their musical cred, knowledge of hip-hop culture and their ideas about race along the way," according to the VH1 Web site.
In other words, 23-year-old T-Mo, better known as $hamrock on the show, must live with nine other rappers in South Bronx and hope he is the last rapper standing. The winner receives a $100,000 grand prize and a record contract.
"We were in the hood, straight up, like the birthplace of hip-hop," T-Mo said in a phone interview. "It was intense - it was crazy."
Although initially wary about appearing on a reality TV show, T-Mo went to his first audition in Buckhead after VH1 contacted him in early 2006.
"I just had to spit 16 bars, give a little info on myself, and I had to freestyle," he said.
VH1 called T-Mo shortly thereafter, told him to pack a suitcase with a month's worth of clothes, and flew him to Manhattan for his second audition.
Although tens of thousands of rappers initially tried out, only 45 were called back to New York.
"There were all kinds of characters there," T-Mo said.
In the show's first episode, "Tha White House," the contestants auditioned in front of MC Serch and Prince Paul and afterwards found out if they made the show.
While the show may be T-Mo's first experience on national TV, it is certainly not the first time the self-proclaimed "Atlanta nomad" has been in the spotlight.
In fact, he made his stage debut at a University talent show, took home first place honors, and soon opened for The Roots at a concert on Legion Field.
"I've always been rappin', but it wasn't until college that I did my first talent show," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
The Bobster
posted 1/22/07 @ 10:18 AM EST
Please, please, somebody put this man out of his misery. Is there anyone out there besides the Bobster who would like to see this embarrassment to UGA (and humanity itself) put to sleep? The Bobster has never hated anyone just from seeing a pic of them, but all that changed today. (Continued…)
soul75
posted 1/22/07 @ 12:05 PM EST
What an embarrassment to have this clown associated with UGA. Have we really declined this much? Hopefully he didn't infect any incoming freshmen as an orientation leader. (Continued…)
Nuts
posted 1/22/07 @ 5:03 PM EST
This guy is actually a good rapper and a great person. He'll never be Eminem but I don't think he'll ever embarrass the University like Vanilla Ice would if he were an alumnus. (Continued…)
Proud
posted 1/22/07 @ 6:16 PM EST
Do you guys have a problem with a white rapper? Are you embarrassed that a white boy from UGA decides instead of becoming the stereotypical frat boy he pursues his dreams as a rapper, embracing a culture many reject here on this campus? I'm proud of him that he hasn't let people like you hold him back from his dreams. (Continued…)
Marti
posted 1/23/07 @ 10:16 AM EST
For all the people who are not supportive of T-mo, it is obvious that u do not know him. T-mo has worked very hard to get where he is, in spite of the many people that doubted him. (Continued…)
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