Born on March 20, 1976, in Phoenix, was most recognized as the lead singer of, his higher-pitched, emotional vocals balancing out those of main rapper. A victim of sexual abuse, had a childhood that was far from picture perfect, and when his parents divorced at age 11, he turned to drugs to deal with his pain. By the time he was a teenager, had gotten heavily into cocaine and methamphetamines, supporting his drug habit with a gig working at Burger King. Despite his drug problems, however, never forgot his childhood dream of becoming a rock star -- he was a huge fan of and -- and in 1993, he joined up as the lead singer of the local band. The band built a sizable following around the Phoenix area, but ultimately grew unhappy with the group and decided to leave in the late '90s over creative differences. He then moved to Los Angeles and became the final piece of burgeoning rap-metal act in 1999. ( came up with the name, changing their moniker from.).