The Urban Sophisticates

Not long after The Roots placed their stamp on live hip-hop, a new band is quietly building buzz along the eastern seaboard. Welcome to live hip-hop courtesy of The Urban Sophisticates. Formed in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2002, The Urban Sophisticates are founded on faith, family, innovation, and the pursuit of musical excellence. Consisting of Philadelphia natives Benton and Aaron James (MC and vocals), industry veteran Jeremy Denman(trumpet), the talented and young Ricky Nxumalo (bass), newcomer Ben Perkins (Guitar/Keys), NC state Alum Romondo Jessup (drums), and accomplished jazz performer Sal Mascali (trombone) The Urban Sophisticates have burst onto the live music scene.

Surviving on an eclectic sound and raw talent, this band is out to make more than a little noise. Mixing live drums, guitar, bass, trombone, trumpet, and a witty, self-deprecating lead rap vocal reminiscent of the Philly sound, The Urban Sophisticates have created a unique blend of live Hip-Hop music. It is by no accident that this group has achieved a great deal in a relatively short amount of time.

Drawing from the diverse musical backgrounds of its members, The Urban Sophisticates continue to blur the line between a traditional Hip Hop group and a live band. The Urban Sophisticates are poetic, spiritual, and catchy. Songs like Coward's Anthem and Testify, deliver the bands sarcastic, social commentary, while at the same time showing that the band doesn't take themselves to seriously. Snappy lyrics accompanied by horns all blended with the elements of hip-hop have made listeners from Chicago to Charlotte take notice. Being chosen to the new band showcase 3 out of the last 4 years at the national Cornerstone Festival has also been instrumental in the early success of the band.

They were the best new band at Cornerstone this year. The music is fun with hooks you cannot get out of your head. "Just Not Urban Enough" and "It's Gotta Be The Hardest Thing" make you bob your head and sing along and laugh all at once. They're definitely doing something different...

- Chris York, A&R AMI

Sharing the stage with such acts as Talib Kweli, KRS-One, mewithoutyou, Classic Case, Nicolay, Little Brother, and POD make it only a matter of time before The Urban Sophisticates are recognized as one of the accomplished up and coming talents in music.