Boogiemonsters "The Beginning To The End" (The Source, 5/97)

"Once the Fertile Crescent that harvested the overwhelming majority of hip-hop's lyrically enlightened, The Bronx nowadays rarely gets the props that this birthplace deserves. Well, those of you who claim BX roots with pride will rejoice at the resurfacing of this tag team. While they may not permeate their lyrics with constant references to their borough of origin, they leave no doubt as to what the Boogie in their name means. Don't let the title of the Boogiemonsters' first single from their upcoming album, God Sound, scare you into assuming the song's too preachy to enjoy. True, with a hook that speaks of "...these last days and times," and lines like, "Throw the devil in the bottomless pit / Judgment begins / Angel from the Euphrates kills a third of his men," one is apt to think the song is all heavy philosophy and no fun. Spiritual and/or sociopolitical message or not, these kids do things with the English language that Ph.D. candidates write dissertations about."

"But no matter how you slice it, it's still Hip-Hop, as proven by the production skills of track-wrecker Domingo. His booming, drawn out bassline is paired with a haunting vocal sample that's reminiscent of the creepy Gothic chants from old Exorcist flicks, creating the perfect formula for getting the Monsters' message across to an otherwise unenlightened audience who may not want to hear it." - The Source, May 1997 ... you can view/save a copy of the 12" review below ...

Boogiemonsters "God Sound" (Rap Pages, 5/97)

"In 1994, a four-man crew from Virginia State University calling themselves, the Boogie Monsters introduced the Hip-Hop nation to "Recognized Thresholds of Negative Stress," the first joint to thoroughly examine the burdens put upon everyday people. What followed was a critically acclaimed debut album, Riders of the Storm: The Underwater Album, which explored planes of foul human behavior like the clever child molestation/murder expose "Old Man Jacob's Well." Three years after both their former label and their group's line-up dissolved, MCs Vex and Mondo are all that remain. Truthfully, the two fare well enough on their own for this second project, God Sound. Maintaining the Boogie Monsters' position as Messianic revelation rappers, God Sound is a philosophical chemistry set for audiences craving new creations instead of the same old formula. The subject matter put forth by Vex and Mondo reaches deep into the New Testament to reveal what man can expect in the new millennium ... What makes these anti-illuminati-inspired songs is their non-tokenism: they don't name-drop about the secret society like other groups have, but rather engage in useful dialogue from their readings and observations." Watch the video for "Beginning of the End"

"Journeying through such a survival-conscious album, the Boogie Monsters aren't without their obligatory shots aimed at the gun-toting-intoxicated-drug-addict-rapper ... Musically, there are no new frontiers of being explored or created. The beat-crafting chores done primarily by Vex and Mondo give the album an ominous and head-nodding vibe not present on their first recording. Producer Jon Doe provides the deeper, soul-laden grooves on "Whisles In The Wind" and "Sodom and Gommorah." God Sounds' foreshadowing and narration of society's eminent doom provides a much-needed awareness for the non-Armageddon-believing rap fan ... Overall, the Boogie Monsters manage to balance the responsibility of being both sages and entertainers. Hip-Hop is in dire need of more responsible material to balance the overly apathetic and inebriated mass market that dominates the mainstream." - Rap Pages, May 1997.  Full review below. (Updated, image by Paul Fess).

Boogiemonsters "Riders Of The Storm" (The Source, 10/94)

"Searching for an alternative, the Boogiemonsters find music and go all out on their debut album. What makes Riders Of The Storm: The Underwater Album one of the most satisfying cool-out albums since the Tribe's last effort, is how they successfully sustain their vibe through all 12 songs. The Boogie's soul and funk excursions never exceed the tempo of meditative cipher. The four MCs - Mondo, Vex, Yodared and Mynthric - mesh fine flows to music that's dark, groovy and eclectic. Few rappers are willing to submerge their voices (their egos!) for the sake of musical continuity and this unifying theme keeps the album moving seamlessly. The Boogiemonsters are true to their names and give you much bounce..." Revisit "Recognized Thresholds of Negative Stress", article cont'd below...

"The Boogiemonsters are New Yorkers who hooked up at Virginia State University. In the video for their butter first single, "Threshold," they meditate on anger ("negative stress") under clear blue skies on a huge farm. The Virginia sun must have melted the self-hate and limited vision that most hip-hopper's celebrate and allowed the Boogies to reflect on where the monsters within really come from... For horror-core fans, there's "Old Man Jacob's Well," a murder tale told from the perspective of the killer and his intended child victim. A Jimi Hendrix-like guitar solo accompanies the narrative-like Greek chorus. The result? Melancholy over thrill. In replacing hip-hop's usual preoccupation with rage and self-destruction with restraint and detachment, Riders Of The Storm makes good on a simple idea: escapism through cool music." - The Source, October 1994.

Boogiemonsters "Riders Of The Storm" (Press Kit & Videos, 1994)

"Boogiemonsters hold these truths to be self evident:

The only real love is One Love. 

Without full expression of the range of human emotion, there can be no understanding. 

Without understanding there can be no peace or wisdom. 

Without water, we can't exist. 

If we stay fluid, we will survive."

"Boogiemonsters keep things fluid, they keep things flowing like an undulating stream. Boogiemonsters come outta VA via NYC and JA. 

Boogiemonsters are four MCs: Mondo, Vex, Yodared and Myntric. 

Boogiemonsters are here to drop spirit, intelligence, grooves and knowledge that will take hip-hop to the next level. 

"Riders Of The Storm moves away from glocks and groins and steps into the light. "We want to concentrate on different things," offers Yodared. "That's one of the aspects of water and it's why we're so attracted to water. As an element, water's never confined, it can't be restricted and neither can we." Rider's Of The Storm's premier assault is "Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress," a wise and funky meditation on life in the modern age. "So in '94, yo it's all about the music, hear it come spiritually so you can use it." Check out the video to the lead single below...

"That refusal to be limited is vividly apparent on Riders Of The Storm. Armed with a style that can be dense as a swamp or clear as a babbling brook, Boogiemonsters can flow anywhere they choose. They're intense on "Mark Of The Beast," a slamming apocalyptic examination of the roots of evil and "Old Man Jacob's Well," a brooding slice of Goth-rap, that unravels the tale of a murder from the perspective of the killer and his intended child victim. They're passionate on the sexy shout out to their muse "Muzic Appreciation (Sweet Music)" or the thumpin' Old School jam "Bronx Bombers." My personal favorite, however, is "Honeydips in Gotham," check that one out below. - OG Press Kit.