Everlast, the former lead rapper of the group House of Pain, has proven that white guys can rap. Born Erik Schrody on Long Island, New York, Everlast moved to the San Fernando Valley area near Los Angeles at the age of 11. While in school, he was one of the only kids - white or black - that listened to the burgeoning form of music known as rap, and even attempted some songs of his own in the genre. One of his friends gave a tape of Everlast to well-known rapper Ice-T, and soon the two were working together in Ice-T's Rhyme Syndicate Cartel.

Not long after, Everlast dropped out of high school just short of graduating in order to go on a European tour with Ice-T. By the beginning of the next decade, he had released his debut solo album, Forever Everlasting. The album was a bust, and Everlast turned to doing odd jobs while continuing to try and make music. He got together with school friend Danny Boy and DJ Lethal to form the hip-hop group House of Pain later that year. With the release of the group's self-titled debut album in 1992, featuring the hit song "Jump Around," the group became one of the first successful white rap groups.

House of Pain released two more albums before they broke up in 1996. Everlast continued making music, working on another solo album to be released in 1998. Just after finishing the album Whitey Ford Sings the Blues, Everlast suffered a major heart attack. When he awoke, he had a new mechanical heart valve to replace the defective one that he had had since birth. With his new and improved heart, and a conversion to Islam, Everlast was poised to make his mark on the music once again. The album became a huge success behind the hit song "What It's Like," with its combination of bluesy guitar, rap-style lyrics, and DJ scratching. Everlast has also appeared in several films during the 1990s, including Judgment Night and Lowball, and started a pizza restaurant with Danny Boy and actor Mickey Rourke.
Climb to Fame
Rapper formerly of the group House of Pain, and currently performing solo
Work History
(1999) Re-releases his debut solo album, Forever Everlasting.

(1998) Releases the solo album Whitey Ford Sings the Blues.

(1996) House of Pain disbands.

(1996) Releases the House of Pain album Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again.

(1994) Releases the House of Pain album Same As It Ever Was.

(1993) Appears in the film Judgment Night as the character Rhodes.

(1992) Releases the album House of Pain, featuring the hit song "Jump Around."

(1990) Forms the group House of Pain.

(1990) Releases the debut album Forever Everlasting. The album bombs.

(late 1980s) Member of Ice-T's Rhyme Syndicate Cartel.