Position: Designated hitter-sixth man

Clubs: Jazz band

Quote: "Be yourself and study the game. And whatever game you play, play it right."

A 'Sco marvel in his own right, Equipto, 29, has been putting it down for the Yay Area since the late '80s. Though he came up in the rap game with a collective of MCs known as Bored Stiff, the public has picked up on Equipto due to his distinct flow and style – so distinct that he's often referred to as a world-class spitter by peers and fans alike. His methods transcend the usually grounded local style.

"From my homies in jail, in the game to remain / It bring a tear to my eye, when thinkin' what we all became / I put it on the table when it came to my family / The expression on my face don't mean that I'm angry," he raps on "Dowutigotta (Do What I Gotta)."

His worldly gift of gab may stem from his multiracial Japanese-Columbian background, but a more likely explanation may be that his dad was a jazz promoter. He took young Equipto to jazz concerts all the time and brought him backstage to soak up the jazz life. When the youngster showed an earnest interest in hip-hop, his dad gave him Run-DMC's first album and Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'." It wasn't long before Equipto started immersing himself in the rap life.

But hip-hop is a perilous road to travel, and Equipto admits that even some of his Bored Stiff brethren have hit hard(er) times. Doing all he can to keep from sharing a similar fate, he's getting his grind up: he released a solo album, Cigarillos (Million Dollar Dream), early in 2004. Soon afterward he hit Japan – and did it big. Not surprisingly, he got a lot of love out there. So much so that he's voiced his plans to make Japan his "second home."

But before that happens, he's out on the Nasty Like College Girls tour with one of his rhyme partners, Andre Nickatina, traveling mostly throughout Cali with a few O.T. (outta town) dates. Apparently the public demand for the Nicky-Equip combo has been high since the duo released Midnight Machine Gun Rhymes and Alibis (Fillmoe Coleman) in 2002. People everywhere want to know when the second installment will be delivered. Maybe it's the peanut-butter-and-jelly-like way the two MCs meld; maybe it's their ability to address serious topics without coming off corny – whatever the reason, heads are waiting on that next big glass of raw lyrics. (The Nasty tour also includes Mike Marshall, who's releasing an album with Equipto in October, K.I.M, also on Million Dollar Dream.)

It's fitting that, when asked, Equipto says he defines his name as "to provide what's needed." That's a bold statement considering there's a lot needed in hip-hop and, from a broader perspective, the world. But maybe pushing the envelope musically yet still giving the people what they want is part of what's needed. That definitely can't hurt. (Juan Pablo)

Equipto plays a K.I.M.-release party Oct. 29, Blakes, 2367 Telegraph, Berk. Call for time and price. (510) 848-0886.

For more information on Equipto, go to www.milliondollardream.com/equiptocigarillos.htm.