In every local music scene, there are artists who don’t just participate, they help shape the culture. For the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County Hip Hop scene, Prol’e is one of those artists. Born Tony Thompson, Prol’e’s journey in music started early. Born in Detroit with a strong musical background in his family, stepping into music wasn’t a question, it was a calling.

The Family 734 Radio Run Contest is built to highlight artists from Washtenaw County who are ready to step forward with records that can move a crowd and make an impact. One of the finalists stepping onto the stage is OKTAELER, also known as TaeTaeGoinCrazy, representing Ypsilanti with a sound that refuses to fit neatly into one box. For OKTAELER, music has been a part of life for nearly two decades.