Feature Friday: The Beast

Band: The Beast
Style: Jazz based Hip-Hop
Albums: "Belly EP," "Catalyst EP," and "Silence Fiction"
From: Durham, NC
For Fans Of: A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, Nas, Earth Wind & Fire, Jamie Cullum

Believe it or not, Durham is a mini oasis for underground Hip-Hop. The home of Little Brother (Phonte, Big Pooh and 9th Wonder) is also the home to a lot of emerging artists. One of these hip-hop groups is about to release their first full length album "Silence Fiction."

The Beast is composed of Pierce Freelon, MC; Eric Hirsh, keys; Pete Kimosh, bass; Stephen Coffman, drums. Pierce is the son of Grammy nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon (also appearing on at least one track in every Beast release) whose vocal tallent definitely did not skip a generation. Hirsh, Kimosh and Coffman are all jazz majors from UNC-CH and their education shows.

I recently sat down with Pierce for a WSOE interview (which will be broadcast sometime next week). As I have said in every (or almost every) post, it is hard to pigeonhole bands from North Carolina. The Beast is no exception as it was verified in the interview.

To argue that The Beast is more jazz than Hip-Hop could actually be a valid statement, especially when the band plays live. Jazz is all about improvisation, something Hirsh, Kimosh and Coffman are well versed in, and so is The Beast. By this I mean that Pierce Freelon can freestyle. About anything.

When not free styling on audience suggested topics, the lyrics cover topics from social change and racism as well as songs about love for women, love for people, love for music and love for life. If you're listening to The Beast for "I popped a cap in that po-po's ass like a motherf***er" or "slap that b*tch round and round" or "get crunk and grind on my d*ck", you won't find it. Sorry.

A Tribe Called Quest comes to mind with the jazz beats, yet there is a newer and more refreshing jazz sound. Instead of just jazz beats and three MCs, it's the real thing with beautiful jazz complexities.

Beyond playing music, the group also leads workshops on African-American music culture, free styling, etc.
If you're going to Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival (which you should), you'll be able to see The Beast before their CD release party at the Duke Coffee House on October 16th. Stay tuned to WSOE 89.3 FM The Only Alternative for The Beast and my interview with Pierce.

Also, go to their website and download the Catalyst Ep for free! The guitar on "come up, come down" might blow your mind.

Below are some of the new tracks you'll hear on "Silence Fiction."

Translation from Silence Fiction

Get Gone from Silence Fiction