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The Beast
Beautifully rebellious and refreshingly original, The Beast is one of the most imaginative bands to emerge from North Carolina’s burgeoning music scene. The Durham-based quartet fearlessly navigates worlds of hip hop and jazz with compelling lyrics, progressive compositions and a gripping live show.

The Beast developed its sound at UNC-Chapel Hill where pianist Eric Hirsh, drummer Stephen Coffman, and bassist Peter Kimosh studied jazz, while emcee Pierce Freelon developed his intelligent lyricism in classrooms and music venues across campus. The quartet joined forces after graduating in 2007.

2 May 2011
The Beast partnered with Okayplayer’s jazz channel Revivalist to release Guru Legacy, a tribute EP the late Keith Elam (aka Guru) and his Jazzmatazz catalog. Remixing and re-arranging songs from each of the four Jazzmatazz volumes, The Beast celebrates Guru’s pioneering anthology of hip hop and jazz fusion. Guru Legacy features a diverse array of musicians including emcee John Robinson (Jay Are Jazz 1960s Revolution), cellist Shana Tucker, producers Dark Matter, poet shirlette ammons and a special one-on-one interview with Pierce and ?uestlove of The Roots.

26 October 2010
The Beast released a free collaborative album with 6-time Grammy nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon called Freedom Suite. The release coincided with the launch of revolutionary jazz-blog Revivalist. Freedom Suite garnered international acclaim for The Beast’s progressive lyrics and eclectic jazz-infused production. Hosted by Grammy-winning producer 9th Wonder the album also features fellow North Carolinians Phonte, Darien Brockington, Rapsody, The Apple Juice Kid, Geechi Suede (of Camp Lo) and others.

16 October 2009
The Beast released their fearless self-produced debut album Silence Fiction. Capturing the quartet’s first two years of risk-taking and progressive songwriting, Silence Fiction was hailed as “dexterous musicianship behind detail-driven, socially progressive lyrics” (The Independent). Silence Fiction was released on the Chapel Hill-based independent label Robust Records.

11 September 2008
The Beast’s debut EP, Belly, was released and called “eclectic and intricate Hip-Hop shot through with soul and Afro-Cuban influences” (The Independent). The 3-song project features inspired collaborations with vocalist YahZarah, guitarist Scott Sawyer and the Seed and Harvest Gospel Choir.