Intertribal Life Newspaper -

My name is Michael Thomas but I also go by Pensmoke, the name I record my music under. I'm a rapper.

I was born in the Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee.

I am of Gaduwa (Cherokee) heritage. My family descends from Jim Cheoa, Ah-lin-nih Cheoa, and Ail-cih Cheoa on the Siler Roll and Oowahooskee on the 1817 Reservation Roll.

Within a couple of weeks after being born, my family moved from the Smokies all the way to the other side of the state-Memphis.

My father left when I was a baby and I've had contact with him from time to time and correspondence from him occasionally. He never really recon...