Phesto

Infobox Musical artist

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Name = Phesto
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Damani Thompson
Alias = Phesto Phesto Dee
Born = birth date and age|1974|4|29
Died =
Origin = Oakland, California, U.S.
Instrument = Microphone
Genre = Alternative hip hop
West coast hip hop
Occupation =
Years_active = 1993–Present
Label = Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings Jive Records
Associated_acts = Souls of Mischief Hieroglyphics
URL = http://www.hieroglyphics.com
Notable_instruments =

Damani Thompson, known by the stage names, Phesto and Phesto Dee (born: April 29, 1974), is an American rapper and producer. He is one of the founding four members of the Oakland, California-based underground hip hop group Souls of Mischief, and, with the Souls of Mischief, a part of the eight-person, alternative hip hop collective, the Hieroglyphics.

Biography

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Phesto met fellow Souls of Mischief member Tajai, as well as Hieroglyphics' founder, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, in junior high school.cite web | url = http://ensim.hieroglyphics.com/artists/souls/phesto-interview.html | accessdate = 2007-02-03 | author = StinkE | title = Phesto Interview | publisher = "StinkE Productions" | date = 1996-07-18] Tajai introduced Phesto to future Souls of Mischief members A-Plus and Opio, and the group formed in high school before releasing their debut album, "93 'til Infinity" on Jive Records in 1993.cite web | url = http://ensim.hieroglyphics.com/artists/souls/phesto-interview.html | accessdate = 2007-02-03 | author = StinkE | title = Phesto Interview | publisher = "StinkE Productions" | date = 1996-07-18]

After Phesto and the Souls of Mischief were dropped by Jive, the group was incorporated into the Hieroglyphics in 1995, at the urging of Del tha Funkee Homosapien.cite web | url = http://ensim.hieroglyphics.com/artists/souls/phesto-interview.html | accessdate = 2007-02-03 | author = StinkE | title = Phesto Interview | publisher = "StinkE Productions" | date = 1996-07-18]

As a rapper, Phesto is "renown [ed] for his crazy, and up-tempo flows. Rhyming about anything from 'flexing sex organs' to secret Jedi mind tricks, Phesto's skills are undoubtedly a vital piece of the Hieroglyphics foundation.".cite web | url = http://ensim.hieroglyphics.com/artists/souls/phesto-interview.html | accessdate = 2007-02-03 | author = StinkE | title = Phesto Interview | publisher = "StinkE Productions" | date = 1996-07-18]

Phesto has contributed to all four Souls of Mischief albums, as well as the two Hieroglyphic studio albums. He has also produced or performed on solo projects of various Hieroglyphics' members.

References

External links

* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Phesto Discogs Profile - Phesto]
* [http://www.hieroglyphics.com Hieroglyphics - Official Site]