While many of today's up and coming artists get buried in the shuffle of promoting their records, New Jersey-born rapper, Kertasy, is bringing a fresh face and new style to the forefront of today's music. Kertasy has teamed with Debonair Records to create his full-length debut album, which is due out later this year. He recently released the catchy single Baby Back Dere, and Dreams Of An Up Comer.

Audio: Kertasy - Baby Back Dere

Hailing from Elizabeth, New Jersey, Kertasy faced a number of challenges in his youth, all of which he has been able to express through his music. At one point he was in the streets, hustling in every way imaginable. Through the traumatic experiences of witnessing his mother's drug addiction, his father passing away and seeing how street life was bringing down his friends, Kertasy chose to take a different route. Through his life changes, his mother also got back on the right track and is clean to this day. Kertasy still enjoys inspiring others through his actions.

In the past two years, Kertasy has released two mixtapes, Kockback & Reloaded - Leave A Message Vol. 1 and 2, and created a buzz for himself with the street singles All Eyes, Move Dat A** and Drinkin My Money. Beginning in 2005, Kertasy performed on the national Vibe Magazine College Tour for three consecutive years, sharing the stage with the likes of Juelz Santana, Fabolous, Little Brother and Cheri Dennis.

In June 2008, Kertasy appeared on BET's Spit Ya Game segment, garnering even more interest from fans via his Myspace and YouTube channels. He's been in the studio working on his album, which will be released only when Kertasy and Debonair Records feel the time is right.

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