Today, July 18, is the birthday of Los Angeles rapper and Funk Volume co-founder Hopsin. Hop is now 33 years of age.

Born Marcus Hopson, the unorthodox rapper has become one of rap's most polarizing figures over the years. Hop is known for wearing colored contacts and, unlike most MC's, criticizing about the vices of the world. Hop grew his fans over the years with his formidable bars on Ill Mind of Hopsin series. He also started his own independent label called Funk Volume in 2008 with business partner Damien Ritter and the two grew their roster to include Las Vegas rapper Dizzy Wright and Decatur, Georgia MC Jarren Benton.

Hop dropped his independent debut album, Gazing at the Moonlight, in 2009. Through is unwavering mixtapes, the LA rhymer earned a spot on the 2012 XXL Freshman cover alongside Macklemore, Kid Ink, Future, French Montana and more.

In January 2016, Hopsin announced he was leaving Funk Volume because of disputes with Dame Ritter.

“Funk Volume is officially dead now thanks to the monster Damien Ritter,” Hop wrote on Facebook at the time. “There is nobody else to blame at all. I have officially separated myself from everything and I am fully independent now.”

With his newly minted status as an independent artist and four LPs under his belt, Hop dropped off his Pound Syndrome album in 2015. In November 2017, the West Coast lyricist unleashed his fifth album, No Shame, after signing with 300 Entertainment. Here's to more dope new music from Hopsin, who, more than a into his career, remains very much his own artist.

Happy Birthday, Hopsin!

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