Left to right: Rappers Canibus, Killah Priest and M-Eighty.

True to his name, M-Eighty -- aka Matthew Markoff -- is blowing up.

The Indianapolis native's fourth album, "Hymns, Psalms & Street Songs," features everyone from Wu-Tang Clan members Cappadonna and Redman to local favorites the Mudkids. And just two weeks ago, Markoff was awarded a law degree from the New College of California School of Law.

The 2008 forecast for Markoff is similarly sunny. After he finishes accompanying the Wu-Tang Clan on a few select tour dates promoting its new album "8 Diagrams," Markoff will pick up stakes in San Francisco to move to New York City, where the 26-year-old rapper and entrepreneur will work as the managing director and A&R administrator for Think Differently Music Group, a fledgling independent rap label founded by Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Dreddy Kruger.

Markoff recently spoke to Indy.com about how he made his connections, the difference between M-Eighty and Matthew Markoff, and why fame isn't on his long list of priorities.

How did you get hooked up with the Wu-Tang Clan?

I was doing a show at Tiki Bob's a few years ago and I walked past The Cube (a now-defunct nightclub) and saw a flyer that said "Cappadonna, Raekwon, Killah Priest" -- all of these Wu-Tang members. So I walked in there and told them they had to put me on the bill.

And they did?

They did. And a tour manager watched my set and said, "We have eight days left on the tour. Do you want to finish it off with us?" And I was like, "I can't pass this up." I was driving to different cities and states, doing my shows and then thanking everyone very humbly and driving right back to make it to class at IUPUI the next day. I was that kind of student where I would never even miss even a 7:30 a.m. class.

How was it that you've sustained your relationship with the Wu-Tang guys?

Because I cannot honestly tell you a time when I have asked any of them to do something for me. When we met, I wasn't like "Check me out, look at me." It was more me asking the questions and determining what I could do for them. And Dreddy (Kruger, CEO of Think Differently Music Group) knew I was going to be going to law school, and he needed someone of reasonably fair rates who he could trust.

How do you reconcile having a law degree with being a rapper?

At the end of the day, I would rather be successful as Matthew Markoff than M-Eighty. Growing up in Indy and looking at who I was supposed to be competing with, I always thought I had an advantage because I felt at home in an educational environment. It shows I am very serious about my work, and in turn it is shown in these insanely successful artists I have worked with.

How are you received by the hip-hop community in Indy?

I could come back to Indy and act like I am the big s--- because I got a record deal. But the big picture is to remain humble, build up my chi and achieve greatness for the rest of my life, whether as Matt Markoff or M-Eighty. I think a lot of people either in Indy or in other places who have never listened to my music don't really like me. But I am very well-liked by the people that matter. The other day, I was on the phone with Indiana Jones (aka Ron Miner, an Indianapolis DJ), and he was really able to acknowledge what I have accomplished. And he said, "When you come back, don't forget the little people." And I don't. I have great respect for Ron and for all he has done for me, and I always thank him when I am in town.

Humility seems to be a common theme on your album and in your life.

That's because I have had my highs and I have had my lows. My lowest point in life was actually serving prison time for five months, and my highest was graduating from law school. Just being able to turn around from prison to go to IUPUI and become president of the student assembly and then go on to work at this capacity in the music industry, it speaks to my character.

Do you consider yourself a "conscious" rapper?

I think some people would consider me a conscious rapper -- if you listen, there is science in what I say. I have written songs and have let some of the best-regarded rappers in the industry listen to them and they've said, "I know that's true. You can't make that up." I grew up listening to artists like the Beastie Boys, Nas, the Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie and Tupac, and I share a lot of similarities with those artists. I know at a lot of the clubs you'll hear the hyphy sound; that's what is popular. They don't want to go back and listen to the original club rockers, someone like Rakim, who was actually saying something. Some of the songs I hear these days, it sounds like the artist went into a conference room with a dry-erase board and was like, "Gold teeth? Check, got it. Rims? Got it." Then they put it into 48 bars and they've got their song.

Are you aiming for stardom as M-Eighty?

That is actually what I am not striving for. Now that Think Differently is in a good situation, I am going to continue to work with them. That is more important to me -- to be able to work in the business and make an impact on a greater level.