Kool Moe Dee, born Mohandas Dewese in 1962, is an influential American hip-hop artist known for his complex lyrical themes and fast, articulate delivery. He was one of the first rappers to earn a Grammy Award and was recognized for his stylish, battle-rap persona. As a former member of the pioneering hip-hop group, Treacherous Three, and through his later solo work, including the hit song "How Ya Like Me Now," Kool Moe Dee significantly shaped the evolution of East Coast rap in the 1980s. His rivalry with LL Cool J, marked by a series of lyrical battles, is a significant moment in hip-hop history.