Nurturing creativity through lyricism.

Pendulum Ink enhances emcees' skills and understanding of the Hip Hop business through expert-led classes on rap theory, lyrical technique, branding, and mental health. With over 50 rap techniques, legendary guest teachers, and a supportive community, Pendulum Ink encourages artists to break norms and celebrate Hip Hop's creative diversity.

WHO WE ARE

Mickey Factz

Founder
Mickey Factz is a highly respected lyricist known for his versatility and impact in Hip Hop. He gained widespread recognition after appearing in the BET Cypher and gracing the cover of the XXL Freshman issue, quickly establishing himself as a force in the industry. Mickey has worked with icons like Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, John Legend, and Kid Cudi and has shared stages with Lupe Fiasco, Busta Rhymes, and Big Sean. Co-signed by Pharrell in 2007, his career spans countless mixtapes, critically acclaimed albums, and even two professional battles, cementing his reputation as a premier wordsmith. As founder of his own school of lyricism, he has coined, copyrighted, and trademarked a unique lexicon that reflects his innovative approach to writing and teaching, making him not just a performer but a pioneer in lyrical technique.
Chilla Jones

COFOUNDER
Chilla Jones is a renowned lyricist and battle rapper celebrated for his intricate wordplay and signature "scheming" technique, a style he pioneered in the rap world. With collaborations alongside legends like Method Man and a series of impactful mixtapes, Chilla has become a force in Hip Hop, uniquely positioned as the only battle rapper to hold both Champion of the Year and King of the Dot Champion titles. Known for coining specialized terms in lyricism, he joins forces with Mickey Factz as a dedicated wingman in advancing the legacy of lyrical mastery. His contributions continue to set new standards in the art of battle rap and elevate the craft for future generations.
Jeff Walker

PARTNER + RHYMECOLOGIST
A lyricist, healer, creative coach and Hip-Hop author who created Rhymecology to help people express, discover and re-create their life stories by writing better rhymes. His music has been featured on/at 60 Minutes, Inside the NBA, Staples Center & Dodger Stadium and has songs with Masta Ace, Mickey Factz, Wordsworth, will.i.am and more.
Roberto Santos

PARTNER + CURRICULUM EDITOR
A bilingual lifelong Hip Hop practitioner who holds a Master's Degree in Creative Writing. He taught poetry, literature, and English composition for over a decade and held a tenured associate professorship at El Paso Community College. During his tenure, he was the founding faculty advisor for the Universal Cypher, the college's only Hip Hop student organization. He is a co-founder of the Barbed Wire Open Mic Series, and the owner of Rap Seminar LLC.
Thomas Frank

PARTNER + CMO
A marketing, communications, and podcast veteran with over 25 years of experience shaping brands and storytelling. He brings his strategic vision and creative leadership to the forefront of rap education, helping elevate the institution’s brand and reach within the hip-hop and creative communities. Tom gained national recognition as the host of the critically acclaimed The Lupe & Royce Show with Lupe Fiasco and Royce da 5’9”, where he became known as the “regular dude” alongside two rap legends.