The son of a Colombian father and Mexican mother, Omar Cruz shook his baby rattle to the anthems of his parents' respective homelands: churning cumbia rhythms and suave, south-of-the-border soul. By age 10, the soothing Spanish sounds had been augmented by an amalgam of street cadences spat by N.W.A, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, and the Beastie Boys. For Cruz, the transition was organic. He enjoyed quick regional success, particularly after a chance meeting with 50 Cent's DJ Whoo Kid, who made room for a Cruz freestyle on a compilation album. His appetite whetted, Cruz stayed hungry. While selling CDs at a car wash in 2004 he met Luis "LuLu" Torres of B.Y.I (Beyond Your Imagination) Entertainment. The two developed instant rapport and began working together. In 2005, their efforts yielded the heralded City of Gods mixtape. In 2006 he released the Cruzifixion mixtape and rode the groundswell straight to Interscope/Geffen's doorstep. Now with major-label endorsement, and bi-coastal camaraderie courtesy of DJs Skee and Big Mike, Omar Cruz is officially on the map. His debut album, Sign of the Cruz, is a metaphorical eviction notice to the game's unwelcome houseguests.