Mega Ran — aka Raheem Jarbo — is a nerdcore rapper whose music celebrates all things “nerd.” And while this might seem like a niche genre, Mega Ran is a bona fide star within it, and his fanbase extends around the world.

His music career changed in an instant a decade ago when one of his songs went viral on Reddit. His lyrics are nostalgic and inspirational at once, drawing on Jarbo’s childhood experiences entrenched in the world of gaming.

In 2021, Jarbo spoke to The Show about writing a memoir and composing his own video game soundtrack.

Mega Ran performed for KJZZ at “Air Apparent,” artist James Turrell’s Skyspace on ASU Tempe campus. He’s on tour now and will be playing in Phoenix this Friday at The Trunk Space in downtown Phoenix.

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