Black Monk

A Beat Happening

On this week's show we close season 1 with Chris Cole AKA Black Monk, a producer and engineer from Los Angeles who was an early supporter and collaborator of Ras G. Growing up in the Inland Empire, Monk became involved in LA's music scene through attendance at Project Blowed, where he first met G, and as a studio engineer working with Death Row. He was responsible for introducing G to Poo-Bah's owner Ron, which led to setting up the store's label and its debut beat series in the late 2000s that featured the pair alongside Samiyam, Ta'Raach, Kan Kick, Take and more. Today, he works in film but his time in music and being involved in the early days of the beat scene remains foundational.

This episode was edited and produced by Laurent Fintoni and Will Horrocks. Intro and outro music by Duke Westlake. Artwork by Kutmah. Design assistance by Paper Resistance and Brandy Flower. This show is a labor of love and if you enjoy what you hear and would like to support us in being able to continue, you can donate via PayPal at https://paypal.me/abeathappening.

In this episode we discuss...

• Meeting Ras G and Kutmah
• Project Blowed and the club scene in L.A.
• Early musical years and hip-hop discoveries
• Beat making and finding your own style
• Leimert Park and remembering Ras G
• Bringing G to Poo-Bah's and the early days of the label

Tracklist:

• Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Mikah 9 - Strength of ATU live at Good Life
• Black Monk - Apple
• Sa-Ra - Timeless Continuum
• Black Monk - Hummin in the sun
• Ras G - Yea...

Links:

• Black Monk Discogs
• Poo-Bah Discogs