Patrick Mpagazihe, 26, of Rochester, felt he had a hit song on his hands; he just needed to get it out there.
So three years after collaborating with one of his favorite rappers, southern hip-hop artist Petey Pablo, on a song produced by Mpagazihe, he is working on getting the song heard by a wider audience.
To do so he posted the song, "How Do You Know (featuring Raga Z)," on YouTube on April 19.
As of this week the video has gotten more than 1,400 views. Even more meaningful to Mpagazihe, though, are the positive comments he's gotten on the song, especially his beats.
People have posted comments such as "Dang … I really like this song. Now I'm listening over and over," "Awesome stuff! Love it!," and "Loving the beat! Great work!"
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He's also received hundreds of private messages with compliments about the song, even a request to let it be used in the soundtrack of a video game, which Mpagazihe declined, he said.
"I knew it would blow up," he said. "It seemed it was meant to happen."
To work with Pablo, who is best known for his singles "Raise Up" and "Freek-a-Leek" and rapping on Ciara's No. 1 single "Goodies," Mpagazihe said he saved up the money he earned working at Faribault Foods and IBM and worked out a deal with the rapper's manager.
Since then, Mpagazihe also produced a song with Chingy, the rapper known for songs such as "Right Thurr," "Bella Baby," "One Call Away" and "Dem Jeans."
Mpagazihe uploaded the song, "Addicted ," which also features Young Marquis, on Youtube on March 25. It has since gotten more than 100 views and several positive comments.
Born in the Congo, Africa, Mpagazihe was introduced to the music of Eminem and Tupac Shakur when he moved to the United States with his family in 2000. By 2004, he started making his own hooks at his parents' house in Faribault.
After graduating from Faribault High School in 2007, Mpagazihe moved to Rochester, where began studying graphic arts and music before transferring to Winona State University.
He also started his own independent recording company called Serious Music Management.
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Mpagazihe continues to work on beats, but isn't sure what artist he'd like to work with next, he said.
"It was a dream in me and I just put it out there," he said about the song with Pablo.
