Mickey Avalon, one of the most eccentric rappers in the music industry, is bringing his song and his story to Honolulu Thursday.

Breaking the barriers of music and race, this Jewish rapper has a style that isn't strictly rap — it combines hip-hop, rap and punk. Some have called it "alternative rap," others "glam rap." His style is rhythmic, with the heavy beats of rap, but the voice of a punk or rock vocalist, like Smashing Pumpkin's frontman Billy Corgan rapping over beats.

Avalon lists his influences as Run-D.M.C., The Beastie Boys, Too Short, Slick Rick and Dana Dane. Like those performers, he's a charismatic personality, and he has a reputation with the ladies — they surround the stage at shows, screaming out to him, hoping to touch his sweaty hand. His strong appeal is not from beauty, but a bad-boy persona. His best attempt at chivalry is "thank you" tattooed on his lower abdomen.

In some ways, his stage style is similar to the show-stopping antics of Ozzy Osbourne. But he insists that he isn't in it for shock value.

His lyrics and beats grew a fan base of youths more quickly than MySpace, and he was the first artist signed to MySpace Records, for a debut album release from Interscope/MySpace.

Avalon understands the power of the brand. "We still have a good relationship with them, whenever I've needed help, promoting shows and tours," he says. He sees MySpace as a tool for musicians, drawing an international audience online.

His mash-up of styles and salacious aura draw the crowds, but his story is also a magnet for the spotlight. Grandson of two Auschwitz survivors, he's the son of drug addicts who taught him to deal as a teenager. Avalon broke out of a youth spent in the toughest surroundings to use his experiences with drugs and prostitution in his music. Now, he has turned his past into profit, rapping openly about his early days.

"Luckily I can get by now just by playing shows and making music," he says. "I survived it."

Many survivors share stories of the past. Few are fortunate enough to do it for crowds.

"My lyrics are pretty autobiographical, but they are also kind of tongue-in-cheek," Avalon says.

He discovered with his lyrics that controversy sells faster than drugs. And he doesn't worry about what other people think of him. "If you put yourself out there, people will judge you one way or another," he says.

Asked if he believes his fame would have come without the edge of his life story, he said, laughing, "No, probably not. I need all the help I can get."