Math Hoffa (born Justin Edwards) was born on May 16, 1980, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood. As a teenager, he began freestyling on neighborhood street corners. He attended George W. Wingate High School in Brooklyn.
Hoffa grew up immersed in Brooklyn’s hip-hop culture and cites local legends as early influences. He has said that, in his youth, he “aspired to follow in the footsteps” of Brooklyn rap icon The Notorious B.I.G. During his mid-teens, he supported himself by robbing people, working as a “stick-up kid” on the streets of Brooklyn.
| Fact | Details |
| Real Name | Justin Edwards |
| Born | May 16, 1980 |
| Age (2026) | 46 |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York |
| Profession | Battle Rapper, Podcaster |
| Active Since | Mid-2000s |
| Net Worth (2026) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Income Sources | Battle rap, podcast, media, merch |
| Known For | SMACK/URL battles, aggressive style |
| Podcast | My Expert Opinion |
Math Hoffa performing during a battle rap event, reflecting his long-standing influence in the SMACKURL era. Math Hoffa began his career in Brooklyn, New York’s battle rap scene in the mid-2000s. He co-founded the NY Bullies (N.Y.B.) rap crew and built a reputation on local stages such as Fight Klub, where his confrontational lyrical style drew notice.
By the late 2000s, Hoffa was competing regularly on SMACK DVDs (the primary platform of the era), using these early appearances to establish himself as a formidable battler in New York’s hip-hop community.
Hoffa’s first major match-ups came in the New York independent circuit and on SMACK DVD specials. An early fight against veteran battler Serius Jones at a 2007 Fight Klub event was a learning experience that Hoffa later cited as motivation to refine his skills.
As the battle scene expanded with new leagues like Grind Time and Ultimate Rap League (URL) in the late 2000s, Hoffa secured high-profile slots on SMACK/URL events. Notably, he battled Harlem’s T-Rex in December 2009 on a URL card, a match that significantly raised Hoffa’s visibility in the national scene.
Several pivotal battles defined Hoffa’s rise. In 2013, a SMACK/URL fight against Philadelphia’s Dose became infamous when Hoffa briefly confronted Dose during the match.
Although controversial, this encounter drew widespread attention and in the years that followed Hoffa “reclaimed his status” as a top competitor. The aftermath of the Dose battle marked a turning point: Hoffa regrouped and began booking wins in major events, establishing himself near the top tier of battle rappers. This period cemented Hoffa’s reputation and set the stage for continued prominence.
Following his breakthrough, Hoffa became a mainstay in the modern battle leagues. Throughout the 2010s he was consistently featured on Ultimate Rap League cards and other promotions, frequently pitted against elite opponents.
For example, his 2016 URL match versus then-champion T-Top drew over a million online views, underscoring Hoffa’s enduring popularity. During these years he also branched into upstart circuits like Rare Breed Entertainment (RBE) and Street Status, trading verses with artists such as Ill Will, Charlie Clips, and others. Hoffa’s longevity and willingness to face challengers from all over helped maintain his star status throughout the decade.
- 2009 – T-Rex (SMACK/URL)– Hoffa’s bout against Harlem veteran T-Rex on a SMACK DVD (December 2009) is often cited as a watershed. The match earned widespread attention and was later credited with helping launch the URL era.
- 2010 – Iron Solomon (URL)– Hoffa defeated New York MC Iron Solomon in a 2010 URL match. This bout is remembered as one of the first major URL videos to go viral, helping usher battle rap into the YouTube age.
- 2013 – Dose (URL)– Hoffa’s SMACK/URL rematch versus Philly’s Dose made headlines due to a mid-battle altercation. The fight’s controversy and Hoffa’s performance are considered a defining moment in his career.
- 2018 – Ill Will (RBE)– At Rare Breed Entertainment’s debut, Hoffa faced Bronx rapper Ill Will. Their contest showcased Hoffa’s seasoned delivery and helped introduce him to the growing RBE audience.
- 2019 – Serius Jones (RBE)– In a high-profile RBE match, Hoffa finally secured a victory over his old rival Serius Jones, marking a significant personal redemption many years after their first encounter.
- 2019 – Charlie Clips (RBE)– Hoffa battled New York star Charlie Clips in an RBE event, further solidifying his status among the current generation of top battlers. Each of these matchups (and others with veteran opponents) became notable chapters in Hoffa’s career, contributing to his legacy in the culture.
In 2019 Hoffa branched into podcasting, launching the hip-hop talk show My Expert Opinion. Co-hosted by fellow battlers Knowledge and Misfit, the podcast features discussions of rap culture, high-profile interviews, and battle event commentary.
It was soon added to major networks (such as iHeartMedia’s platform), and continues to run into 2026 with dozens of episodes. Hoffa has described the podcast as a platform for his perspective on music, and it has since attracted many celebrity guests, bridging his battle rap fame with broader hip-hop media.
Beyond podcasting, Hoffa has taken on on-camera roles: he appeared as a guest on REVOLT TV’s Drink Champs(2020) to discuss his career, and in 2023 he served as host of BET’s Hip Hop Awards digital red carpet, drawing praise for his presenting and style.
Hoffa’s career is marked by both audience impact and peer recognition. Battle rap media note that the 40+ fights in his portfolio have collectively attracted well over 30 million views online, reflecting his popularity with fans.
Industry observers credit Hoffa with pioneering an aggressive, opponent-specific lyricism that set new standards for the art form. In 2022 he was named among the top 50 modern battle rappers by BET, which described him as “an innovator in the battle rap industry”.
The BET feature specifically cited his T-Rex bout as igniting the SMACK/URL era and his Iron Solomon match as ushering in the YouTube era. As a result, Hoffa is often seen as a bridge between the classic SMACK DVD days and today’s digital battle scene.
Outside of battling, his influence has grown through media: My Expert Opinionhas become a popular hip-hop podcast, giving him a platform to shape conversations in rap culture and mentor newer artists.
As of 2026, Math Hoffa remains active in the hip-hop world, chiefly as a broadcaster and entrepreneur. He continues to host My Expert Opinion, with new episodes (for example, episode #23 in April 2026) listed on iHeart’s official podcast schedule.
Hoffa also leverages his brand through merchandise and social media content related to the show. While he no longer battles as frequently as before, he stays connected to the scene by emceeing events and appearing as a commentator.
Notably, Hoffa’s profile extended to mainstream platforms in recent years: for instance, BET’s coverage of the 2023 Hip Hop Awards praised his performance as host of their pre-show. In summary, Hoffa’s career today blends his battle rap legacy with his growing presence in media and entertainment, keeping him a visible figure in hip-hop.
As of 2026, Math Hoffa's net worth has not been publicly disclosed, and no official figure has been verified by reliable financial sources. His known income streams include earnings from battle rap events and performances, music releases and live appearances, advertising revenue from his podcast and related digital content, and sales of branded merchandise. However, the exact earnings from these sources have not been publicly reported.
Math Hoffa, born Justin Edwards, is an American battle rapper and media personality from Brooklyn, New York. He gained recognition through early SMACK DVD battles and later became a prominent figure in the URL era.
Math Hoffa began his battle rap career in the mid-2000s in Brooklyn’s local scene. He built his reputation through platforms like Fight Klub and SMACK DVDs.
He is known for his aggressive delivery, direct style, and high-profile matchups against top-tier opponents. His battles with rappers like T-Rex and Iron Solomon are often cited as key moments in his career.
“My Expert Opinion” is a hip-hop podcast launched by Math Hoffa in 2019. The show features interviews, cultural discussions, and commentary on music and the battle rap scene.
Yes, he has expanded into media and entertainment, including podcasting and hosting roles. He has appeared on platforms such as REVOLT TV and participated in BET Hip Hop Awards coverage.