Bay Area rapper Stresmatic began his career as part of the hardcore trio Federation before branching out as a solo artist. Born Thomas Jackson, the Fairfield, California MC joined Federation in 2002 with fellow rappers Goldie Gold and Doonie Baby (aka Doon Koon) and producer Rick Rock. Early figures of the hyphy movement, they released their debut, The Album, in 2004 on Virgin. The album broke into the Billboard 200 before they parted ways with the label. The follow-up, It's Whateva, was issued on Warner Bros. in 2007 and featured appearances by Travis Barker, E-40, and Snoop ...