The Beast is an American alternative hip hop band from Durham, North Carolina. Formed in 2007 by emcee Pierce Freelon, drummer Stephen Coffman, bassist Peter Kimosh and pianist Eric Hirsh, The Beast is best known for their 2010 collaborative album with 6-time Grammy nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon called, Freedom Suite. Released in collaboration with Okayplayer's jazz channel The Revivalist, Freedom Suite garnered international acclaim for The Beast's progressive lyrics and eclectic jazz-infused production. The Beast has collaborated artists such as 9th Wonder, Nnenna Freelon, YahZarah, Phonte, The Apple Juice Kid, Geechi Suede (of Camp Lo) and Branford Marsalis. All members of the band are graduates of UNC Chapel Hill.

References ^ http://www.heraldsun.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Review-+The+Beast-+Nnenna+Freelon+team+up+for+‘Freedom+Suite’%20&id=10072392&instance=main_article ^ http://www.okayplayer.com/news/OKPs-New-Jazz-Inspired-Channel-The-Revivalist.html ^ http://soulukblog.com/2010/10/18/new-music-the-beast-nnenna-freelon-present-the-freedom-suite/ ^ http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/the-beasts-silence-fiction/Content?oid=1218596 External links