Mastamind born Gary Reed, spent his youth growing up in a rough neighborhood at the heart of Detroit. Turning to music at an early age Gary took the name Mastamind when people in his neighborhood started to call him the mastermind of rhymes. Gary also knew that he had a plan for the future and the rap phenomenon Mastamind was created.

At the age of fifteen he met up with fellow rappers Esham and TNT to form the rap group NATAS (Nation Ahead of Time and Space). NATAS became underground legends releasing 5 successful and controversial albums. Mastamind served as a key writer for all of the group’s releases. NATAS’s dark imagery and fierce lyrics inspired waves of artists in the industry. Fellow Detroit natives Kid Rock, Insane Clown Posse, and Eminem have all cited NATAS as a pivotal influence on their musical careers.

Back in 1994 Mastamind released his first solo effort, an EP entitled "Lickkuidrano". The EP received little to no promotion and sold remarkably well on purely word of mouth. His work on writing and performing with NATAS prevented the release of his full length until now.

Six years after his first solo release Mastamind is back with his first full length offering "Themindzi (The Mind’s Eye)". According to him "Themindzi" is "all about seeing all sides of things, good and bad. It’s about seeing shit through my eyes."

In my opinion Mastamind is the soul of NATAS. He is usually responsible for the refrains and the catchy hooks. When he yells "Mastamiiiind" I get chills down my spine. His style resembles Esham in a way but not as ruff. I think his best work was on the song titled "Murdaride" from his debut EP titled "Liquid Drano" a ways back. Catch him on tracks 6 and 13, and 14 on the new Natas album to hear hit at his best! Mastmind is a very creative rapper and look for his solo coming out early in Y2K. If it's anything like his Liquid Drano, it's going to be the best cd ever.

Here is an interview with Mastamind.

OVERCORE: WHAT’S THE MEANING OF “THEMINDZI”?

MASTAMIND: IT’S ALL BOUT SEEIN ALL SIDES OF THINGS, GOOD AND BAD.  IT’S BOUT SEEIN SHIT THRU MY EYES.  

OVERCORE: HOW DID YOU GET YOUR NAME MASTAMIND?

MASTAMIND:I KNEW I HAD A PLAN.  PEOPLE IN THE HOOD USED TO CALL ME THE MASTAMIND OF RHYMES.

OVERCORE: HOW DID YOU HOOK UP WITH ESHAM AND TNT TO CREATE NATAS?

MASTAMIND: FATE/DESTINY 

OVERCORE: DESCRIBE THE SOUNDS FROM YOUR NEW RECORD “THEMINDZI”!

MASTAMIND: WE GOT THE WICKET SHIT, CLUB SHIT, AND THUG SHIT! STREET GUMBO!

OVERCORE:WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST MUSICIAL INFLUENCE?

MASTAMIND: ESHAM AND ALL THE HARDCORE SHIT!

OVERCORE: HOW WAS LIFE ON THE DETROIT STREETS AS YOU GREW UP?

MASTAMIND: THE SAME AS IT IS NOW…WICKET! ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE RAP GAME IS SO WIDE OPEN NOW EVERYBODY GETTING PAID. BOUT TO GET MINE TOO.

OVERCORE: CAN YOU TELL US ALITTLE ABOUT THE VIDEO FOR “FOREVER”?

MASTAMIND: NOPE. SEE IT FOR YA SELF AND BELIEVE IT’S GOIN DOWN!

OVERCORE: WHAT’S THE LATEST CD THAT YOU BOUGHT?

MASTAMIND: RUFF RYDERS VOL. 2 LOVE THAT THUG SHIT.

OVERCORE: THE FANS WANT TO KNOW, DOES ESHAM THE UNHOLY APPEAR ON THE NEW RECORD?

MASTAMIND: YEAH, I HAD HIM BLESS THE RECORD WIT A PRAYER.  HE’S BOUT TO STOP RHYMIN AND BECOME A PREACHER.  ESHAM THE EVANGLIST!  

OVERCORE: WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE IN CYBERSPACE?

MASTAMIND: DON’T FRONT ON SOMETHIN SO REAL.  COP THEMINDZI, DOWNLOAD IT AND RIDE TO IT.  IT’S THE KEY INTO THE WORLD OF THAT REAL DETROIT SHIT.  IT’S ALL ABOUT HOW WE THINK, HOW WE RUN GAME, AND HOW WE LIKE THAT HARDCORE SHIT TO BUMP.  THE WICKET SHIT’LL NEVER DIE!