Puerto Rican Queens, New York born and Bay Area raised emcee Rico Pabon loves hip-hop and lives hip-hop. He has for years. In fact I first interviewed him way back in the day:  in 1991 right after he arrived on the Bay Area hip-hop scene with his group the Prophets of Rage. Sixteen years later and the conscious hip-hopper is still diligently putting it down in the Bay - mainly in the East Bay. When not in Richmond recording or spending time with his family Rico can be found at his other spot  over in the Fruitvale district of Oakland: Sofrito Authentic Puerto Rican Cuisine at 3451 International Blvd (E 14th St) that he owns and cooks at. As you know there's no money to be made in conscious hip-hop these days. Besides Rico treats the restaurant, like his hip-hop, with love. And he loves keeping his Puerto Rican heritage alive through its culinary creations and the concept that food can help create community and foster culture. The restaurant has become a needed gathering space for the East Bay's Boricua community.  (14,000 Puerto Ricans in Alameda county alone!)


In the early days when Rico started the Prophets of Rage was him, his good friend, known then as "Crazy" and his older brother DJ Park who used to make most of the beats. By the time Prophets of Rage released the album "My Power" the group was just Pabon and has been since then until recently when he started using his own name such as on his recently released "Louder than Fiction" on Hard Knock Records. Note: Prophets of Rage also appeared on Independent Sounds: Amoeba Music Compilation Vol. III with the track "Make The Most."