BKS1 Radio Network

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

We are back to the essence of the Live In The Cipher show. We are bringing you a couple of underground artists California's own Chuuwee and Sundown,one half of the duo Actual Proof, from Raliegh, NC. Let's see if they can bring the essence of real hip hop back.

Chuuwee Bio:

Born in San Antonio,Texas, Chuuwee has been rapping for eight years. Influenced by his mother and many great mc's like Jay-z, Outkast, UGK, and more Chuuwee blends the borders of underground, back pack hip hop and mainstream rap. During the first years of his career people tried discouraging him by saying music wasn't for him. Negativity hasn't slowed him a bit, doing shows opening for Mistah Fab, Rakim and Rymefest in Los Angeles, California if only fueling his fire. Chuuwee is becoming a well-known talent throughout Northern California. Between his love of writing, recording and releasing music, Chuuwee also enjoys to sharing his thoughts and seeing how people react to his ideas. He also likes performing and was told, If your live performance isn't any good then your music won't matter at all.

Actual Proof Bio:

Being raised in the projects, streets, or trailer parks have historically laid the foundation for dope emceeism. We now have Actual Proof that epic beats, lyrical acuity, and unique style knows no geographical limits. This duo consists of two emcees - Sundown and Enigma - raised in Raleigh, North Carolina and bred on classic soul, funk, jazz, and hip hop. Enigma was a student at N.C. Central University and the two of them would visit 9th Wonder's Hip Hop in Context course on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During a conversation after class, 9th found out they were major Talib Kweli fans and invited them to a free Kweli show in Brooklyn. “If y’all can get there, y’all can roll,” 9th told them. Sundown describes the experience as surreal: “We stood up in bassline studios, met Kweli, Buckshot, the staff at Duck Down, Marco Polo, Young Guru...” He says of 9th, “He was our hero.” Actual Proof has since rocked the stage with artists including Big Daddy Kane, Nice & Smooth, and Raekwon, and they plan to keep rocking stages, record stores, and the internet with their distinct brand of hip hop style. Enigma explains, "We’re hoping that with hard work, dedication, drive, and dope music, Actual Proof can make some noise.”

Tune in and join our interactive review process. MC's call in and spit your hot 16, don't be scared let your voice be heard. Follow us on twitter: @liveinthecipher and like our facebook fan page: Live In The Cipher.

Video of the day: Actual Proof - We Gon' Continya

Hip hop duo originating from NC, Actual Proof consisting of MC's Enigma and Sundown. Signed to 9th Wonder's Jamla label. Support this talented hip hop group, follow them on twitter: @actproof, @enigma_actproof and @sundownactproof.

Live in the cipher team brings you 9th Wonder and Buckshot latest project The Solution. Join the cipher team for our interactive rate and review process where your opinion counts. Legendary Hip Hop group Camp Lo will be special guests tonight on the Cipher show, discussing their new projects and work. Special in studio guest New Jersey up and coming MC Robbie Maxx.

Artist Review: 9^th Wonder and Buckshot

Hagel (born Kenyatta Blake in Brooklyn New York) is a legendary underground rapper known as leader of the Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik and the group Black Moon, he has released a solo album two with producer 9th Wonder three albums with Black Moon and three albums with the Boot Camp Clik

9th Wonder is a hip hop producer from Raleigh North Carolina United States ... He began his career as the main producer of hip-hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with artists like Mary J Blige, Jay-Z Murs and Destiny's Child, as part of Little Brother he gained widespread recognition and critical acclaim he has left Little Brother 9th Wonder stated that as long as both Phonte and Big Pooh welcomed a reunion somewhere down the line he would be fully openfor a tank

The duo released two albums, the first chemistry in 2005 and the second album entitled The Formula 2008

Read more 9^th Wonder and Buckshot Bio: www.artistwiki.com

Special Guest: Camp Lo

Initially signed with Profile Records, Camp Lo made their first appearance in 1996 on The Great White Hype soundtrack, with their single, "Coolie High". The smooth party song was a minor hit, peaking at #25 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart. Their first major exposure came with the release of their second single, the upbeat, horn driven "Luchini", otherwise known as "This Is It". The song became a crossover hit in 1997, breaking into the Top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reaching the top 5 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. The track peaked at #74 in the UK Singles Chart in August 1997. The duo released their debut album Uptown Saturday Night in January 1997. The effort was widely acclaimed, praised for its accessible content and smooth, funk and jazz inspired production.

The majority of the album was produced by Ski, famous for his work with Jay-Z. Guest appearances were provided by De La Soul's Trugoy and Digable Planets' Butterfly. The album's 1970s styled content was influential on a number of artists within the next few years after its release, like Will Smith, who enlisted Camp Lo for an appearance on his top- selling Big Willie Style album. Also in 1997, they appeared on Oran "Juice" Jones' single "Poppin' That Fly". They collaborated with De La Soul in 2000, on the song "So Good" fromthe Hip Hop 101 Compilation.

They finally returned with another album in 2002, titled Let's Do It Again. This effort was not nearly as well-received as their debut, and was met with mediocre reviews and sales. Shortly after the album's release, Aesop Rock enlisted the duo to appear on his album Bazooka Tooth, exposing them to fans of the underground Definitive Jux label. In 2007, the duo returned with Black Hollywood after a five year hiatus from their previous release.

In April 2008, Camp Lo signed with SRC/ Universal Records. They changed their name to The Lo, on the recommendation from DJ Mr.Cee. The duo released a new single titled "Lumdi", produced by Korleon. 2011 they released a collaboration mixtape with Pete Rock,

also named after their new group “80 Blocks from Tiffanys”

http://soundcloud.com/geechisuede

www.geechisuede.com

twitter.com/OfficialCampLo

twitter.com/CampLo

Special Guest: Robbie Maxx

From State Championships to college recruit, From a College student/athlete to College dropout, Robbie Maxx has revamped his past into an unexpected Musical/Lyrical/Personable artist through determination, patience, and that same 'Never Back Down' mentality that has traveled with him through his competitive past.. Finally Robbie Maxx and Airplay Entertainment proudly introduce to you an 'Industry Beast' ready to tackle what too many take for granted, LIFE!

A young athlete, Robbie has dabbled with music since freshman year in college where he began with simply putting up a myspace.  After friends began to catch on and see some talent, he began running into producers and others working hard like him looking for a come up.  In his third year in college, Robbie met Airplay Entertainment by chance at Montclair State University.  He soon found his way to their studio in Bloomfield, NJ called 'The Booga Basement' where legendary artists such as The Fugees, City High, and Akon made their come up!  After dropping the "The Universal Milkyway" mixtape and doing shows at SOB's, Don Hills and more, in a trio group with Keith "Lil Wonda" Duplessis and B. Madison, Robbie soon found himself revamping his solo career after the group parted ways.

A year and a half later Robbe Maxx dropped his debut solo mixtape "Industry Beast Volume 1: The Alter Ego" which got great reviews and had some classic visuals and anthems!  He is now ready to embark in his second project which comes out 12.21.12 and is called "A Different World".  Robbie considers this project "the start of his career" and "a maturity unheard of in less than a year".  The world needs to prepare themselves for one of the most cool, unique, and lyrically talented up and coming artists New Jersey has seen in a while!  Robbie Maxx is on a mission to prove that hip hop can come from anywhere, and it's those who keep it real that succeed!  Enjoy and Embrace a new look and face of Music and Art! Robbie Maxx is here to FUG SH*T UP! #bxxbSwaggerific