Editing Dead Prez (section)

=== Background (1993–2000) ===
In 1993, M-1 headed to [[Tallahassee, Florida]], to attend [[Florida A&M University|Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University]] (FAMU) where he and stic.man met and formed a relationship due to their mutual love of music and similar [[leftist]] political ideology. While there, their views solidified, M-1 becoming particularly interested in the [[Black Panther Party]].

M-1 joined the [[Uhuru Movement|International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement]] in Chicago for three years, while stic.man remained in Florida. Burned out by the arduous labor of Uhuru, M-1 and stic.man chose to focus on music. [[Brand Nubian]]'s [[Lord Jamar]] discovered them in New York City and signed them a deal with [[Loud Records]]. Although dead prez was not always Loud's top priority, they built a fan base due to their over-the-top performances (they have been known to ignite [[United States one-dollar bill|dollar bill]]s and toss apples into the audiences, declaring that they must eat healthy).

They had begun contributing songs to film soundtracks and made featurings on high-profile albums. Their first recorded song, "The Game of Life (Score)" appeared on the 1997 soundtrack to the film ''[[Soul in the Hole]]''.  In 1998 their song "D.O.P.E. (Drugs Oppress People Everyday)" was featured in the movie ''[[Slam (1998 film)|Slam]]''.  Also in 1998, they were featured on the skit "The Rain and the Sun" off [[Big Pun]]'s album ''[[Capital Punishment (Big Pun album)|Capital Punishment]]'', and in 1999 were featured on [[The Beatnuts]]' song "Look Around" off their album ''[[Musical Massacre]]''.