Artist Spotlight: You Can’t Stop Andy Mineo

I figured I’d write my first blog post on one of my favorite rappers: Andy Mineo.  Andy Mineo (pronounced Min-ee-oh) is not really a household name, but he should be.

Background

Mineo is a rapper whose lyrics and themes are inspired by his life growing up, experiences, and his faith and love for God.  Mineo was born and raised by his mother in Syracuse, New York.  Growing up he was a trouble student.  He went to a church summer camp that changed him and showed him God’s love for him.  He struggled with sin again in high school, but at Syracuse University rejuvenated his faith through a community to help him through it.  Mineo would later move to New York City where he currently resides.

Music Background

Andy Mineo’s music career began at a young age when he was a member of the group Fat Camp under the name “C-Lite.”  The group was signed to Syracuse University’s record label, Marshall Street Records.  As a college freshman, Andy joined TRUCE ministries and connected with producer Alex Medina.  This inspired him to leave Fat Camp and rededicate his music and life to Christ.  His first mixtape released in 2009 called “Sin is Wack.” Mineo broke onto the scene more in 2010 when he sang the hook on Lecrae’s song “Background.” He was then brought on for multiple features for singing his hooks afterwards, but he is much more than that. In 2011, Mineo signed on with Lecrae to Reach Records and changed his stage name from “C-Lite” to his real name, Andy Mineo. From there, his rap career has grown steadily.  


In 2011 Mineo released his second mixtape, “Formerly Known.”  In 2013, Mineo released his debut album “Heroes for Sale.”  Since, he has released one other album, three EP’s, and a collaborative album. Mineo has had five projects reach the Billboard 200 including his 2015 album “Uncomfortable” peaking at #10.  His hit song, “You Can’t Stop Me” (2014) reached RIAA Gold certification in 2018 and has been used in a variety of media, such as Far Cry: New Dawn and was voted the best MLB walk-up song by an ESPN poll.

Final Thoughts

Andy Mineo’s album “Uncomfortable” (cover pictured above) is one of my favorite albums of all time.  There are no skips on that album and the replayability is very high.  His new EP’s have also been excellent.  Andy Mineo always gives the listener a genuine look into his world and what he has gone through and is going through in life and in his faith.  Faith is a huge theme in his music, but his music is not just for Christians.  One of his newer EP’s, “The Arrow,” also has themes exploring love, loss, and doubt.  Mineo’s music gives a look at a man figuring out how to navigate life.


In “You Can’t Stop Me,” Andy Mineo says, “my biggest enemy is me and even I can't stop me.”  You can’t stop Andy Mineo from rising in the industry as the best is yet to come for this Syracuse rapper.