About MH the Verb

With unique style and sound, the multimedia artist, MH the Verb is one of the East Coast's top crossover artists. Different from any other Hip Hop artist, MH the Verb pushes the limit when it comes to content and collaboration with artists from all mediums, not just music. Considered a “free spirit hip-hop artist,” MH the Verb takes his personal experiences and brings them to life through his music in a nontraditional way. Having already spent time building a fan base in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, MH is now taking New York City by storm. Drawing from his diverse range of influences and experiences, MH the Verb is bridging the gap between different musical genres and igniting a movement of positivity along the way.

What separates MH the Verb is his progressive fusion of organic instrumentation with electronic production. More comparable to a Jam Band than anything else, MH and his live production band are constantly pushing the envelope. MH keeps the creativity flowing with live mash-ups and remixes, genre blending covers, spontaneous jam sessions, and undeniable crowd pleasers. Accompanied with positive and thought provoking lyrical content, MH the Verb’s captivating live show and high energy performances continue to attract followers and fans who yearn for realness.

New Album "The Balloon Guide"

After two years of touring in more than 20 cities and performing with highly acclaimed artists including The Roots, Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa, Outasight, Lifehouse, John Legend, MH the Verb has refined his art, which is reflected in his new album “The Balloon Guide.” Comprised of 15 tracks, each song on “The Balloon Guide” represents a different part of New York City as the album takes you on a ride on the 2 train from Harlem to the Brooklyn-bound L train, which parallels MH the Verb’s own personal journey as an artist. The first single from The Balloon Guide, “Al Roka” has already become a popular hit among fans. Each track on the album features multiple collaborations with a variety of up-and-coming artists including K. Renee, Dominique Dawes, Phase One, Jules & Stewie, Kwame Darko, Aaron Pfeiffer, Kuf Knotz & Drusef and Jack Wilson.

2004 - 2010: The Beats N Verbz

As a Music Ethnocology and Urban Studies student at the University of Pittsburgh, MH formed the organic Hip Hop fusion band "the Beats N Verbz" (also known as, the BNVz) in 2004. After winning Pitt's Annual Battle of the Bands, the group received critical acclaim with the release of their 2005 debut CD , "We Blowin' Up," which MH produced and engineered himself. The BNVz continued to capitalize on their popularity by incorporating positive messages into their upbeat party music and independently releasing over 10 follow up EPs and live recordings in 4 years. Known for their vibrant and up beat performances, the band headlined festivals and concerts with Lifehouse, Kid Cudi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Jedi Mind Tricks, and more. However, it was their rain drenched performance at Pitt's Fall Fest in 2005 that declared them "the Best Band in Pittsburgh" by readers of the Pitt News. However, creative differences led the BNVz to dissolve in early 2010 as MH began to follow his ambition toward new projects.

The Rise of MH the Verb

Following his time with the BNVz's, MH began to focus on production and expanding his musical vision in the studio. In honor of his success with the BNVz , MH added "the Verb" to his stage name and began writing his debut solo album, "Cult Classic," with the support of keyboardist/producer Ben Bromfield. Drawing from his diverse range of musical influences, MH the Verb began bridging the rhythmic foundation of jazz with the new age sounds of electro-pop and Hip Hop to create a fusion of genres. Influenced heavily by Hip Hop pioneers like, The Pharcyde and Slick Rick, MH began to utilize his deep, raspy tone as a vocalist and added singing to his repertoire. Lyrically MH's use of poetic anecdotes, clever rhyme schemes, and intelligent references keep him honest as a songwriter and storyteller.

In early 2010, MH the Verb shocked fans when he announced he would be relocating across state to Philadelphia from the Pittsburgh scene, which had nurtured his artistry for over 7 years. Before moving to Philly, MH celebrated his time in Pittsburgh with an impromptu freestyle on stage at the 2010 Annual Roots Picnic, joining an all star lineup, including The Roots, John Legend, Vampire Weekend, Mayer Hawthorne, and Jay Electronica. The following spring, MH continued to build on his reputation as an emerging force by winning the 2011 Joker Production's Battle of the Bands. Later, he impressed crowds as the kick off performer for the Philadelphia Film & Music Festival before embarking on his "Cult Classic" regional tour. ^[1]

Cult Classic

MH the Verb released his highly anticipated solo debut, "Cult Classic" for advanced internet download exclusively through his website on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. The album, entirely self-produced, received critical acclaim.The Erie Reader named MH as "a whole new movement of Hip Hop." "Cult Classic" features a limited selection of contributions from other artists, including Kuf Knotz, Beedie (of Varsity Squad), Wi.Sh, and MH's tour DJ and former WPTS co-host, B-tips. Producers, Ben Bromfield, Max Swan (of LP Stiles), and El Smooth appear on the project as additional instrumentalist enhancing the cohesive live feel of the project.

Looking to translate the essence of his studio project to a live format, MH the Verb teamed up with Philly-based funk band, LP Stiles for a memorable show at his CD Release Party at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. The outstanding one hour performance was recorded with plans for a special live EP. The project titled, "The Verbal Experience" is set to be released February 2012 and will feature live interpretations of songs such as, "Winter In America," "Burnin' Up," and "She's My Girl".

Other Musical Projects

• Diner Tempo
  

After the release of "Cult Classic", MH linked up with keyboardist, Egg Stone (of the band, Montoj) to form the production duo, Diner Tempo. Inspired by the idea of restoring the early 90s blend of jazz and Hip Hop and sampling world music from South America, Africa, and the Middle East, the duo currently has collaborations in the works with numerous artists; including a concept project titled, "Medeski's Diner" featuring samples of the jazz fusion band, Medeski, Martin, and Wood. Diner Tempo also host a monthly residency at Triumph Brewery in the Olde City district of Philadelphia, where they perform and record a live jam session.

• New Mixtape: "Waffles & Whiskey"
  

At a friend's apartment in NYC, MH stumbled across a music folder from Pittsburgh beatsmith, Cutty Franks. The soulful beats coming out of the speakers demanded MH give the upstart producer a call. After a few correspondents, Cutty Franks blessed MH with a couple of instrumentals which would become the frame work for a new project. The mixtape titled, "Waffles & Whiskey" which was released in Spring 2012 and features additional production from MH himself, Chuck Mack (PGH), El Smooth (PHL), Chaz Patz (PHL), Czientist (Germany), and more.

• DJ the Verb
  

MH first began to study audio engineering and music production as a high school student at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, FL. Soon, MH raised enough money to purchase his first set of turntables and began DJing local parties and school dances. By 2007, MH was Music Director and radio personality at WPTS-92.1fm, the University of Pittsburgh's college radio station. While at WPTS, he co-hosted the popular Thirsty Thursday "Pre-Game Show" with DJ B-tips and organized concerts and events such as, the State of the Union Hip Hop Showcase, which featured national acts such as Wiz Khalifa, The Blend and Grand Buffet. His success led to a DJ residency at the popular campus club, Peter's Pub, hosting the monthly urban music series, "Soul Food Saturdays" bridging the gap between the student community and the local Hip Hop scene. Currently, MH hosts a weekly DJ residency at The Grape Room in Philadelphia (Manayunk) under the alias DJ the Verb.

Activism

One of the driving forces behind MH the Verb's success has been his ability to combine his musical ambition with his passion for activism. MH sees his Verbal Experience movement as a vehicle to promote positive energy, focusing on creative outlets to empower young people to build a better future by destroying negative behavior. In 2005, he contributed in hosting a post-MTV Video Music Awards party with ‘Rock the Vote’ campaign in Miami. He also organized Inner-Course, an event to raise awareness for World AIDS day, as a member of the Student Global AIDS Project at the University of Pittsburgh. While touring, MH stays active in the community, organizing events and supporting organizations such as; LiNK (Liberation in North Korea), Barrios Unidos (a California-based organization against youth violence), the Financial Consortium of Western Pennsylvania, and the League of Young Voters. MH the Verb continues to use his art as a catalyst for positive and progressive change through his work with Kiva.org, a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty.