Shoestring

**Shoestring** is a rapper and longtime member of the iconic Flint, Michigan hip-hop collective **The Dayton Family**, known for their gritty storytelling and unflinching portrayal of street life. Emerging in the mid-'90s alongside group members Bootleg and Backstabber, Shoestring helped define the Midwest’s underground rap scene with raw, hard-hitting tracks that reflected the struggles of their hometown. Over the years, he’s remained a steady force in the group’s projects, including recent releases like *The Dayton Family Presents: The Right to Remain Silent EP* (2021) and solo cuts such as *The Bake Up Boy* and *Black Friday*, which continue to showcase his signature gravelly flow and streetwise lyricism. While keeping a lower profile than some of his peers, Shoestring’s music—like the addiction-themed *Cross Addicted*—stays rooted in the dark, visceral sound that cemented The Dayton Family’s cult following.

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