Stik Figa is the alias of John Westbrook, Jr., a cool-headed, no-nonsense rapper whose rhymes amalgamate Southern and Midwest roots and inspirations with an easygoing demeanor. Kentucky-born, he claims Topeka, Kansas as his hometown and has also lived in Memphis, Tennessee. Active since the late 2000s, he released Looking Good, an EP produced by
Miles Bonny and released on the beatmaker's INnatesounds label, in 2007. After Westbrook released
As Himself, an album produced entirely by
Michael "Seven" Summers, the rapper signed to
Mello Music Group, an independent label that re-released the concise set for wider distribution. A full-length collaboration with
L'Orange,
The City Under the City, followed in 2013. For
Central Standard Time, a proper solo effort issued four years later, Westbrook worked with beats from producers such as
Nottz,
Black Milk, and
Apollo Brown, and sought guest verses from the likes of
Rappin' 4-Tay,
Homeboy Sandman, and
Quelle Chris. ~ Andy Kellman