DJ Z (Resident DJ @ DJBooth.net) writes… 4stars

Sometimes it takes me, and our staff, several listens before we give a song submission the thumbs up for a feature on our homepage. Phashara had me convinced about 15 seconds into the song. No long, drawn-out intro - just straight into the heart of the record. I’m a big fan.

x20nickel (Resident DJ @ DJBooth.net) writes… 4stars

Exactly what @DJ Z said, on my ipod before I even finished listening to the song. Pretty much sums up this record. I like it.

Peep the Article…

Back in September of 2009, Chi-town’s Beatmonstas reminded us that hip-hop is more than just Beats and Rhymes on their provocative, politically-charged Booth debut. On his first solo feature (and latest B-side), group member Phashara serves up something a little mellower, explaining that he wants nothing more than to spend his life soaking in the bright Sunshine… well, that and an end to the Iraq War, not to be at the mercy of a privileged upper class, safety for his family and, hey, a little spending money certainly wouldn’t hurt. Phashara’s verses may be chock full of incisive commentary on serious issues, but the artist’s laid-back, guitar-laced production and easygoing hook are perfect vibe out material. The result is a head-noddable summer jam for the conscious set… or a conscious joint for lovers of warm weather? Call it what you will but, if you’re impressed by Phashara’s skills on the mic and behind the boards, you’ll most definitely want to keep it locked for all the latest on his forthcoming street album, Pathways, which has yet to receive a solid release date. ~Richard (writer DJBooth.net)

New Phashara music featured on mixtape “Back On My Blog Sh!# Vol. 1″ via www.BBmp3s.blogspot.com. First up is the mega collabo most may have already heard “Say Your Prayers” featuring Phashara, Qwazaar, Longshot & Savant (produced by UK native, Passion HiFi). The other is new single, available now on iTunes and Amazon.com,”Burning Hot” written and produced by Phashara. Other up and comers featured on the mixtape include Famoso, Lo Keys, Nick Pratt, Noah Jones and more.

Download it here

The singles find Phashara in polar opposite moods as Burning Hot’s aggresive pace tells a story as only Phashara can about street life, decisions and consequences. On the other side of things Phashara gets rather introspective about life, decisions and dreams on Sunshine.

As a prelude to the coming album entitled “Pathways”, Burning Hot is a stew of classic breaks a-la Rock the Bells and Peter Piper chopped with haunting strings and topped with Phashara’s agile intellectual wordplay and ODB’s voice “Burning Burning Hot!”. Sunshine is a soulful joint where the emcee effortlessly painting a vivid picture over plush grooves.

Take a listen at Phashara’s Soundcloud page

Cop it on JUNE 15 on ITUNES or AMAZON

Comprised of emcees Ski & Vibe formerly of Chicago underground hip-hop group “Blah-Zae-Blah”, Treehouse Flavor has reinvented themselves to inject a little friendly neighborhood b-boyism into hip-hop. Tell your kids that this is what fun hip-hop sounds like and proceed to the nearest playground with your retro boom box and… TURN IT UP.

Pick up the Digital Single at Amazon.com, iTunes or eMusic.com

See the review below or head over to Platform8470.com and check it out.

Beatmonstas
Bomb Til We Hit Em
Beatmonstas Ent | 2009

The Chicago collective of Therapy, Noble Dru, Phashara, Sense and Rahfiki returns, after four years, with a sophomore album that clearly shows an evolution during the last few years.

The great choice of samples, the effective scratches, the nice guest features and the crew’s solid flowin, really appeal. Check out ‘Rippin To The Last Bar’ for example. The Tim Dog sample, greatly scratched unto the chorus, the crew’s flawless flows and the vivid Prince Po feature, make this song just one of the many highlights of the record.

Besides the cry for lower gas prices, less violence and more welfare (keep in mind this album was recorded during the Bush administration), the overall revolution theme of the album is interrupted by girl-friendly songs like ‘Unfair’ and ‘Sexy Mama’. The latter being a highlight of the soulful side of the album.

Not crossing boundaries, but simply good, honest hip-hop. Made with a traditional recipe that respects the art of boombap and adding a profound twist of soul, the Beatmonstas’ sophomore album keeps our conscience sharp and heals the soul. ~by: cpf | 02-18-2010 | rated: mighty phat

Video:
- the lead single off the album ‘Beats N Rhymes’.

Beat Monstas got a joint called Beats N Rhymes which has a late 80’s early 90’s hip hop feel. I remember when hiphop like this would play on YO MTV raps,and BET. It’s a shame that conscious hiphop does not get any airplay anymore like it used to. Check out their lyrics they are dropping some true science on this song.

Big ups to the good people at WordonTheStreetsMag.com

Hit up UGHH.com for Beatmonstas Entertainment physical CDs. Currently “Bomb Til We Hit Em” is sold out but there is a shipment in motion. Hit em up regularly. Phashara’s “The Storybook Adventure” will be in stock soon.

Check It Out

Peep the review below…

For a group that prides itself upon being “monsters with beats and rhymes”, it only seems apropos to dub yourselves as the BeatMonstas. The Chicago-based act joined forces in 2003 and released their first album, “The 3rd Weapon” in 2005. The reviewer of that album made it a point to mention that the BeatMonstas are at their best when diving head first into the murky waters of social and political issues. Upon reading that and the press mailer that pointed out the fact that most of their latest album, “Bomb ‘Til We Hit ‘Em, was recorded during the later years of the Bush Administration, made me think that every song was going to be a “Fuck George Bush” rally cry. To my surprise, they really aren’t. Granted there are a few jabbing statements here and there thrown at the former Administration, but the lyrics are more or less a representation of how ordinary people are forced to deal with the effects of the decisions made by said Administration.

The album opens with “Beats N Rhymes” and “Easier Said Than Done”. The former cuts right to the center of the issue within the first bar of lyrics: “Warfare, welfare, gas hikes, high bus fare, life ain’t fair…school shootouts and food scarce”. The Mistaloo Mef produced latter track, is hard hitting but still has a jazzy feel to it and is quite audibly pleasing. It’s easily one of the album’s standout tracks.

The Dig-Dug produced title track showcases low piano notes, a snare drum, and progressive synths that remind me of David Bowie’s “Fame”. By the time “Can’t Fool Me Now” rolls around, I was looking for more denouncement of the ills of society. This track did more than enough to provide just that. Taking aim at everything from the former POTUS to offshore outsourcing to the greed of the oil industry. No one was spared the wrath. By this point, I’d become more aware of a few things: the BeatMonstas know how to pick beats that compliment their flows and also that they truly understand the plight of many working (and many more wish-they-were working) families in the world just trying to get by.

The same formula is in place for “Turn It Up” and “Sea To Shining Sea”. However, the production switches up just a bit so that it remains a bit fresh to the listener. “Turn” is a more uptempo track, while “Sea” is rather slow and mellow in comparison, and isn’t as aggressive. Prince Po of Organized Konfusion fame makes a guest appearance on “Rippin To The Last Bar” and proudly proclaims “Fuck a connect! Fuck a gimmick! Fuck a fake image!”

It’s not ALL hostility ALL the time with the BeatMonstas though, as they find the time to address the ladies a bit on songs like “Unfair” and the A Tribe Called Quest interpolating, “Sexy Mama”. I think that Q-Tip would appreciate the way “Sucka Nigga” was flipped to create the hook. These songs aren’t corny at all, but they don’t really fit in with the rest of the album. I supposed even the angriest of Monstas needs a little TLC every now and then.

After a brief instrumental, things close out with “People’s Champion” and “All Aboard”. The former is all about the City of Wind and the BeatMonstas love and appreciation for the rich tradition that it holds. The Phashara beat makes it another standout track on the album. As this LP ended, I realized that the album didn’t have to go to the point of “Dubya was the worst President…ever!” to have a meaningful message. In fact, the “this is what happened to us because of…” approach seems to work better. It doesn’t come off as preachy as some others who choose to rhyme about the same subjects. In the end, I think the BeatMonstas can call off the bombing, as they’ve certainly hit their mark with this release. ~Manny Wallace

Music Vibes: 8 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 7 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7.5 of 10

Originally posted: November 24, 2009
source: www.RapReviews.com

Beatmonstas’ album ‘Bomb Til We Hit em’ nabs a new review on UK based online magazine BlackSheepMag.com. Big ups to Ryan Proctor and the staff of BlackSheepMag for the write up. Check it out below…

Whilst Chicago might have produced its fair share of well-known rap luminaries over the years, such as Common, Twista and Kanye, the Windy City has also maintained a strong underground scene, from the notable 90s efforts of artists such as All Natural and Grav, to more recent releases from the likes of Psalm One and Astonish. With that in mind, the latest album from the Beatmonstas, ‘Bomb ‘Til We Hit ‘Em, continues the Chi-town tradition of subterranean hip-hop that is as soulful and jazzy as it is hard and, at times, uncompromising.

Largely recorded during the tail-end of the Bush administration’s stranglehold on American politics, this is reflected in the Monstas choice of subject matter on certain tracks, which deal with the plight of ordinary people caught up in the daily struggle of life. On the title track the crew claim that “capitalism got niggas playing with their lives” amidst sinister, 80s-style slasher-flick synths and clipped drums, whilst the sombre ‘Can’t Fool Me Now’ covers economic crisis, the New World Order and mass media manipulation. Other highlights include the uptempo future shock of ‘Turn It Up’ and the Prince Po-assisted ‘Rippin To The Last Bar’, with Noble Dru’s expertly chopped string samples adding further emotion to a track already packed with passionately delivered reality rhymes.

For the most part ‘Bomb ‘Til We Hit ‘Em’ is quite an intense listening experience, although some light relief is offered in the form of the dreamy, around-the-way-girl anthem ‘Sexy Mama’ and the playful mack talk heard on the head-nodding ‘Unfair’.

Making politically-themed subject matter easily digestible for the masses is no easy task, but the Beatmonstas trio have succeeded here in making their views of the world easily relatable, wrapping those opinions up in warm, organic production that immediately catches the ear.

~Ryan Proctor (www.BlackSheepMag.com) - UK

Peep the most recent playlist from DJ Eclipse’s show  “Rap Is Outta Control” • Sirius XM Radio • Hip Hop Nation Channel • Sunday Nights • 10:00 PM - 12:00 AM.  Special shout DJ Eclipse for the spins. Download and enjoy the show http://bit.ly/I5vpc

1. Apathy “Thinkin’” prod. by Apathy
2. NYGz “Ready?” prod. & cuts by DJ Premier
3. Big Noyd “New York Lights” prod. & cuts by DJ Skizz
4. Kam Moye “Let’s Be Honest” prod. by Veterano
5. Skyzoo “Like A Marathon” prod. by 9^th Wonder
6. Chaundon “7even” prod. by 9^th Wonder
7. Masta Killa “Thing’s Just Ain’t The Same” prod .by PF Cuttin
8. Royce Da 5’9” feat. Busta Rhymes “Dinner Time” prod. by Q Tones
9. M.O.P. “Foundation” prod. by M-Phazes
10. Sean Price & Buckshot “Can’t Fight The Feeling” prod. by 9^th Wonder & Dan The Man
11. Vinnie Paz “Same Story (My Dedication)” prod. by Anno Domini Beats
12. Skyzoo “Dear Whoever” prod. by Illmind
13. Brown Bag AllStars “Does It” prod. by Marink
14. Sareem Poems “Tell It” prod. by Oddisee
15. King Magnetic feat. Joell Ortiz & Tug McRaw “The Trifecta” prod. by Astronote
16. Cormega “Make It Clear” prod. by DJ Premier
17. Sean Price “Broken Safety PT.2” prod. & cuts by Scram Jones
18. Raekwon feat. Jadakiss & Styles P “Broken Safety” prod. by Scram Jones
19. JR&PH7 feat. Planet Asia & Rakaa Iriscience “Take It To The Streets” prod. by JR&PH7
20. Apathy feat. Blacastan “On And Off The Mic” prod. by Apathy
21. The Undergods (Keith Murray & Canibus) feat. Crooked I “Die Big Time” prod. by Erick Sermon
22. BeatMonstas “Beats N Rhymes” prod. by BeatMonstas
23. Royce Da 5’9” “October 20^th Freestyle”
24. Bishop Lamont feat. Xzibit “Hallelujah” prod. by Dr. Dre
25. DBlfeat ack Zach Bruce “Sugar” prod. by Kuddie Mak
26. Kam Moye “ReBorn” prod. by Vitamin D
27. Busta Rhymes feat. J Holiday “Hits For Days”
28. James Brown “Soul Power” (dedicated to the memory of DJ Scratch’s pops)