Out of Kissimmee, Florida comes the strong and original voice of rapper Stichs Da Boss. As the the economy flounders but the music industry's fantasy machine rolls on regardless, Stichs's new track 'Never Give Up' is speaking to an unheard audience.

'Never Give Up' was written in hard times. Stichs, aka Mykol Marte, had lost his job and custody of his daughter. Feeling that the world had pushed him aside, Stichs answered with a song that urges its listener to carry on fighting however unfavorably the odds are stacked. "The message never give up is for people who are suffering in the bad economy," he says. "It's for someone who never gives up and doesn't stop trying."

This 29-year-old rapper is a compelling stand-out because, unlike the many other so-called "inspirational" songs which say you can get by on hope alone, "Never Give Up" tells the real story. Reminding us that persistence and realism are more important than dreamy naivete, Stichs raps: "Don't sit back and chill like the answers will find you/Let me remind you there's thousands just like you."

But don't think the song is preachy: This rapper's lyrical skills make "Never Give Up" a pleasure to listen to just for pleasure's sake. It's just that the first person to get a boost from Stichs' authentically inspirational lyrics was the man himself. And despite his music's tough edge, it's also interesting to note Stichs eschews all profanity in his rapping. A father himself, he says he wants to make music parents can feel comfortable playing in front of their kids.

Stichs Da Boss was born to Dominican parents in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up, he was a diligent student who loved poetry, an interest he would later transform into writing and rapping in both English and Spanish.

Stichs is also a self-taught sound engineer. He built his own studio and recorded East New York rappers before moving south to Florida to start the Nothing But Classics music company with brother/manager King Rey, whom he credits for his success. Stichs continues to produce his own music, and recorded live instruments for "Never Give Up". "It gives a better sound," he says. "There's more quality because you have live instruments. I wanted to do something different to the other artists."

"Never Give Up" can be heard at http://www.reverbnation.com/stichs, and is available exclusively on Stichs Da Boss's Changed Man album.

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Music: http://www.reverbnation.com/stichs