Mista Taylor

Despite its country festive atmosphere, Charleston once was the point of origin for the majority of slaves entering the new land of America. It is the land of our Roots, states 24 year old Charleston native Emerson Taylor aka Mista Taylor. You first have to embrace where you come from to know where you can go because; everything in life comes full circle.


A typical child of the ghetto, Taylors upbringing was anything but stable. His mother had him at the early age of 14. He spent much of his early years in the care of his grandparents. Growing up without a strong father figure or a strong guiding hand, Taylor turned to the streets of Charleston for guidance. At the age of 12 Taylor began taking rap seriously and when a close friend was murdered one of his songs was placed on a compilation CD and a star was born.

Influenced by rappers such as, UGK, Scarface, Jay-Z, and Nas, Taylor mastered his edgy upbeat lyrical style drenched in its heavy southern roots. Taylor is now signed to Grind Out Records; the independent label of the Carolinas and is poised to put Charleston back on the map.

Taylors new Mixed Tape album hosted by the underground King Chuck T is titled Hood tested and Street Certified. My music is reality, facts no fiction; explains Taylor, Im at the point lyrically to be a front-runner for the state of South Carolina and to give the world a true taste of my heritage, which is the Gullah. Taylor continues to gain popularity at an astonishing rate, and shows no sign of stopping soon. Hes just getting started!