Bio:
Mega Ran (Raheem Jarbo) is proof that hip-hop can go anywhere — from the classroom to Comic Con, from the Billboard charts to the GRAMMYs. A former middle school teacher turned Guinness World Record-holding rapper, author, DJ, and foster father, Mega Ran has built a career by blending education, storytelling, and pop culture into one unforgettable package.
After years of penning albums inspired by his lifelong loves — video games, comics, and wrestling — Mega Ran cemented his place as a nerdcore pioneer. His work has been licensed by Capcom, placed in blockbuster games (Mortal Kombat 11, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, River City Girls 2), featured on TV (WWE, AEW), and in films (Clerks III). He’s toured the globe, rocked Madison Square Garden, and collaborated with icons from Kool Keith to Del the Funky Homosapien.
But in 2022, life handed Mega Ran his biggest quest yet: foster parenthood. That journey inspired him to expand his artistry into family music. The result was Buddy’s Magic Toy Box (2023), which debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Kids Music chart and earned him a headlining slot at the Official SXSW Children’s Showcase — all without a traditional single. His follow-up, Buddy’s Magic Tree House (2025), hit #1 on iTunes Children’s charts, landed multiple tracks on Spotify editorial playlists and was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Children’s Album.
In both children’s and traditional rap spaces, Mega Ran is a master of connection. He’s just as comfortable performing in libraries and museums as he is headlining festivals and all-ages clubs. Whether he’s leading a call-and-response about dinosaurs, dropping a freestyle about a fan’s favorite game, or performing wrestling anthems in a ring, Ran’s shows are interactive, high-energy, and built for all ages.
The “Teacher/Rapper/Hero” moniker isn’t just a catchy tagline — it’s how he lives. From inspiring young readers with “The Library Jawn” to tackling complex emotions in “Splash Woman” and “Why Do People Go,” Mega Ran approaches every project with the same goals: entertain, educate, and empower.
He’s also the author of Dream Master, a memoir chronicling his journey from Philadelphia classrooms to worldwide stages. Publications from BET to HipHopDX to Phoenix New Times have praised his innovation, work ethic, and ability to merge seemingly separate worlds into something entirely his own.
Mega Ran’s catalog spans nerdcore epics (Black Materia), sports tributes (Live ’95), wrestling soundtracks (Mat Mania), and affirming family anthems (Buddy’s). If the first phase of Mega Ran’s career was about chasing dreams, this one is about building safe spaces — for gamers, for music fans, for kids, and for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. With a tireless touring schedule, a constantly expanding body of work, and a never-ending list of titles, Mega Ran’s story is still being written… and he’s making sure there’s room in it for everyone
