Chickamauga rapper Chris Caradine, aka Strata-G, recently signed with Up In Your Basement (UIYB) Records, the Canadian independent label known for working with artists such as Wu Tang, Moka Only, Classified, Violative Cause, Aria Silenced and others.

Strata-G, a 2002 graduate of Gordon Lee High School, has now inked his name on UIYB’s roster of emcees, bringing something new to the table, according to a media release.

“My surroundings have shaped my subject matter. I’ve never been a club-goer or a drug runner, or a womanizer or a violent dude,” he said. “I take pride in the thought that I have a lot of Southern gentleman in me. I think that in itself sets me apart from 95 percent of the other rappers as far as a back story.”

Born in Manila, the capital of the Philippine Islands, and adopted at 13-months by parents in Chickamauga, Strata-G picked up a microphone at a young age and never looked back. His beginnings are influenced by his father and his love for classic rock music.

“How does an Asian dude from the country end up on a Canadian label? It’s been all perseverance,” he said. “I knew it wouldn’t be an easy road. I started working at an Applebee’s in Chattanooga and met PDG Da Pheonix’s wife who introduced me to him, and he carved a hip-hopper out of whatever I was.”

After building confidence networking in the Chattanooga hip-hop scene, Strata-G said God placed hip-hopper Kunstruct from Natural Habitz in his path.

“It’s been a wrap after that. Confidence grew. The grind got harder. My skills got sharpened. And great networks on top of great networks on top of great networks has landed me next to Lenny Diko and UIYB Records.”

Signing to a Canadian label means plenty of northern exposure and European promotion. Strata-G’s new album “Well Fed, Still Starving” is now available on all major online retailers, including Itunes, Amazon and Rhapdsody.

For more information, visit upinyourbasement.com.