Phonte Coleman, better known as Phonte, is a Grammy nominated American rapper, formerly of the now defunct North Carolina trio Little Brother and one-half of the duo The Foreign Exchange. He has also recorded R&B-flavored output as a singer (often under the pseudonym Percy Miracles). His rhymes tend to be no-frills perspectives on working-class life.
Phonte got his musical start by singing in his grandmother’s church choir and making beats on a Gemini sampler in high school. After entering North Carolina Central University in 1997, Phonte met future bandmates Thomas Jones (Big Pooh) and Patrick Douthit (9th Wonder) and formed the group Little Brother in 2001. The group released four critically acclaimed albums before finally disbanding in early 2010. Afterwards, Phonte focused his career on singing, songwriting, and producing with longtime Foreign Exchange partner Nicolay.
Phonte now delivers to the hip hop world his long awaited solo debut album Charity Starts at Home. Tune in and be a part of BKS1 Radio interactive review process, where your opinion counts. MC's call in 646-929-1530 and spit your hottest 16. Follow us on twitter: @LiveInTheCipher and Like our facebook fan page: Live In The Cipher
(Sources: Foreign Exchange Music and Phonte Wikipedia)
Special Guests: Genius Sound family
Noah Bility:
I'm a 19 year old aspiring rapper living in Riverdale, BX. I was introduced to hip-hop by father who also wrote rhymes. I first started writing when I was 7 just as a hobby. I kept it up and only got better. At the time I was heavily influenced by TV and radio which changed during my freshman year of high school. Lupe Fiasco's debut album, Food & Liquor, dropped and it changed the way I write to this day. My style is more on the conscious side than anything. I feel like hip-hop is losing touch with that. Me and my brothers in the Genius Sounds Family plan on changing that.
Alpha Memphis:
I'm a 19 year old artist from Rosedale, Queens. I started writing lyrics in the 5th grade. I went to LaSalle Academy and started taking the music more seriously as a way to get my point across or feelings out. Music is something like my therapy for me. When I graduated high school, I continued my academic journey at my idol J. Cole's college St. John's University. Then, my musical journey with the Genius Sounds Family soon followed.
Soul:
I'm a 21 year old aspiring rapper and hip-hop head. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Much like my inspirations Kanye West, Drake, and Lil' Wayne, I have a wild imagination and a lot of character. I'm full of catchy hooks and clever punch lines. My love of hip-hop inspired me to go beyond the every day so called "artist" out there who is mass produced. My sound is unique. It's radio friendly yet righteous and emotional. I can appeal to nearly everyone. As a member of the Genius Sounds Family, I feel we can reach a wider range of people.
WellRED:
I'm a 19 year old artist born in Spanish Harlem, NY as Jared Daniel Wilkins. I lived there until I was 6, and then moved to Carona, Queens. I first started writing poetry in the 6th grade. I was inspired pieces such as "Poe Boy Blues" by Langston Hughes. As far as writing rhymes, that started in the 7th grade after I heard "Ebonics" by Big L and "Microphone Fiend" by Rakim. In high school I continued to write and found out that one of my class mates, and very close friend Noah Bility also wrote. Over those years we kept writing and I brought up a rough idea of this entity we now call Genius Sounds Family.
Vega Vega:
I'm a 21 year old 6'5 basketball player from Queens influenced by music's culture in all forms. I come from a home that played disco, freestyle, classic R&B, hip-hop, and plenty others. I first started writing during the 6th grade. I would recite my rhymes in high school among small groups of friends willing to listen. Then, I made my way to a studio with minor recording experience, and did my earliest work. Eventually, I linked up with old high school friends who I later came to call my brother's in the Genius Sounds Family
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