Erica M. Acklin,
b.k.a. Makkah Da 'Mic' Rakkah, who is now 36 years of age; has been performing for audiences since the age of 6. Makkah has been performing in school plays and talent shows as long as she can remember. Her flamboyant R&B style turned to hardcore rap almost overnight.
At the age of 19 Makkah wrote her very first song (with her brother Michael Sheffield b.k.a. Draino) entitled “Mama”;
written for the first person that inspired them to take their careers seriously.
Brick
City is where it all began! Makkah
was born in Newark, N.J.
to Vanessa Acklin and James Williams. Makkah graduated from High School in 1994,
then attended a 2 year university in Newark, N.J. In college Mecka majored in Psychology and her professors always encouraged her and
recognized her talent through her writing. Two of Makkah’s most heartfelt
poems made the Book of Poetry, two years in a row. Her professors’ were
not surprised. Inspired by their praises, Mecka continued to write and perform
in shows such as: Son’s Talent Show- “Brick City Talent Throw Down”-
November 28, 1999 (a fundraiser for the city of Newark), a
show for the HOT 97 DJ Crew at the Robert Treat Hotel- May 14th, 1999. That
was still not enough for this hardcore rapper.
In 2001,
Makkah met 3 musicians by the names of Wes, PK and Eddie. The 4 of them later
collaborated and formed what is now called, “Infyooz”. Together a
group of musicians, songwriters and producers, combined to create the most dynamic style of rhythm, mixes and vocals. After all STRENGTH comes in numbers. Makkah’s
brother, Draino is also one of the producers.
In 2004, Makkah applied
to the University of Phoenix,
majoring in Business and Marketing. Her goal is to prove to the world that DREAMS
DO COME TRUE!
