Pennjamin Bannekar
Maywood, Illinois, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Once again Pennjamin Bannekar gives us a peak into his much anticipated solo album release "Heart Beat." Pennjamin's New Single "Illwrite" tackles hard hitting topics such as the obsession most people have of being average, and cast aspersions on the Illuminati's role in music. - Music Fi
Pennjamin Banneker out of the Chi. - TheHipHopHead.
Heralded as Hip Hops freshest emcee, Pennjamin Bannekar sets himself above the fray with his intense and heart felt stories of life. Some choose to describe his music as poetry set to a sound track and others just embrace the artistry. Once again Chicago native, Pennjamin Bannekar gives us a peak into his much anticipated solo album release “HeartBeat.” Pennjamin’s new single “Illwrite” tackles hard hitting topics such as the obsession most people have of being average, and cast aspersions on the illuminati’s role in music. This is ILLwrite. This is ill, right? - Bring The Ruckus
Ground-breaking rap music! Better check this out!
Artist: Pennjamin Bannekar
Album: No album name set
Title: SET IT OFF - Yahoo
Atlanta, GA (Top40 Charts/ Pennjamin Bannekar Official Website) - The highly anticipated single has arrived!
New artist Pennjamin Bannekar has released his single 'Set It Off' on Itunes today as well as other major digital retail outlets such as Amazon and Napster.
With new promotion tactics in place, the independent single will impact international radio stations as well as domestic.
This song serves as an introduction to his release as a solo artist and is the lead single from his forthcoming, first studio album, 'Heartbeat'.
Pennjamin is quick to acknowledge that his skills were honed by studying influences such as Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Andre 3000 as well as many others.
With this single release Pennjamin is looking forward to the media feedback that will allow him to continue on pursuing his success.
- Top 40 Charts
For the first time in two years, R&B singer Dwele performed a live set in Chicago's south loop entertainment district to a packed crowd of more than 600 VIPs and fans. Produced by Christi with an Eye, the sold-out event brought hip-hop/soul artist Pennjamin Bannekar, DJ Major Taylor and R&B band Verzatile as the show's opening acts, promoted by Lucid Entertainment.
- Chicago Red Eye
Up-and-coming Chicago emcee, Pennjamin Bannekar, just released his new mixtape "Hello World". The mixtape is pretty nice and has a mix of grimey tracks and laid-back joints. I was pretty excited to see that a chunk of the production credits went to our own "The New School Beat Tape" alumni NAMELESS. Be sure to peep the free mixtape and let us know waht you think! - hip hop hype dog
We’ve seen some of the best acts in hip-hop dissolve after one member decides to dip their toe into the solo artist pool. That’s not the case with Pennjamin Bannekar and Project Fresh. The Chicago based trio built a healthy fan base through the internet and old fashioned hard-work. So when I found out that one third of the group, Pennjamin Banneker decided to try his hand at being a soloist, I was nervous. But those nerves were calmed after talking with Penn recently. Though his solo album “Hello World” expects to drop in the 4th quarter, you can still expect to hear him rock out with his Project Fresh crew in 2010.
Wordonthestreetsmag.com chopped it up with Pennjamin Bannerker about his new album, his swagger and how his going solo was looked at by the rest of the group
Pennjaim Bannekar: I started rapping when Diddy came out with “Cant Nobody Hold Me Down”. I remember I had the “CD single”
Pennajmin Bannekar: (laughs) Yeah, remember those. It had the instrumental version of the song on there and me and my home girl from Houston decided it would be dope to spit a rap over it. I’ve been rappin ever since.
Wordonthestreetsmag.com: I remember when you were part of the group Project: Fr3sh? Are you still part of the group and how do they feel about you pursuing your solo aspirations. - Global Grind
Project: Fr3sh has been chosen from amongst the thousands of entrants to be featured at ASCAP’s annual “I Create Music” expo held in Los Angeles. On Thursday, April 10 at 2:00 - 3:15pm, they will review the new single “Flashy” in the Echo Room of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. The moderator will be ASCAP’s own, Alonzo Robinson. “This is an amazing opportunity for us, and we just feel blessed to even have been chosen by both peers and panelist,” said Chi-Leak (Terrance McDowell). Project: Fr3sh has just wrapped up production on their first album “The Get Fr3sh Show”. They are excited about the buzz that it is creating throughout Chicago as well as the country.
When Project: Fr3sh came on the rap scene in April of 2007, they were regarded as the next great movement of Chicago’s hip-hop soul scene. Mark Byrd, Chi- Leak, and Penn “the god” set fire to a scene that was ready for change. The new album, “The Get Fr3sh Show” is heralded as that change. Over the sly soulful sample of “Dreams”, Project: Fr3sh represents the Midwest's funk heritage. They paint a picture of the environment in which they represent on “Life”. On this song, they rap about people not losing faith and purpose in their lives. Showing how creative they are lyrically, they bring back old school Hip-Hop with “Master Piece Theatre”. They infuse the elements of life on “Overdose” through a comical look at superfluous ways.
ASCAP is one of the largest performing rights organizations in the country. ASCAP is home to entertainers from Stevie Wonder to Jon Bon Jovi. The “I Create Music” expo is a three-day event held for all the members. Here is a link to Project: Fr3sh web sites page.
- URB
CHICAGO, IL –In the wake of Hurricane Ike hitting Landfall on Galveston Island in Texas, Saturday September 13th, Chicago super group, Project: Fr3sh is making it their individual duty to prevent the same Katrinian catastrophe that took place in 2005. As we remember the events that took place after Hurricane Katrina, we remember the images seen on television sets everywhere, the time it took to get help, and the people who were not saved. When these images play in our hearts and minds we all must be motivated to take a stand.
Project: Fr3sh, Chicago's hottest Hip-Hop group, has decided to donate proceeds from their album sales to Hurricane relief funds. The group realizes that in order to prevent the same catastrophe brought on by hurricane Katrina, help must be delivered swiftly. In addition to their donation of all album sales, Project: Fr3sh is currently planning a Hurricane Ike Benefit Concert in order raise additional funds towards the relief efforts.
Project: Fr3sh explained these actions by stating, "We believe that we are our brother's keeper. We have a social obligation; we must make it our responsibility to help each other in times like this." Project: Fr3sh went on by challenging others in the music world when he said, "We champion others to support them as well. You must think of this in terms of the victims being members of your own family. This could be your own mother, sister, daughter, brother, son, father. Help your fellow man when they need you the most."
About PROJECT: FR3SH The innovative and eclectic rap/hip hop trio encompasses Mark Byrd, native of Chicago's west side, Chi-Leak, also of the city's west side, and Penn "the God," who has resided in various cities in the Midwest. Together, the high energy team, PROJECT: FR3SH, is currently embarking on a journey that will forever change the course of music history. Their unique style and individualized characteristics couples with their advanced lyrical prowess has made them a super group on the Chicago music scene. These three extremely talented solo artists have joined forces in order to penetrate the hearts and minds of all races, religions, and cultures.
Ashten Fizer is a freelance publicist in Chicago, Illinois. Currently, she is developing the A. Fizer Public Relations Firm which is rapidly growing into a full service, Entertainment Publicity outlet. Lists of current and past clients include: Marcus Fizer (Formerly of the Chicago Bulls), Fresh&Greedy (TVT Records) and PROJECT: FR3SH (Project: Fr3sh LLC) and more.
Ashten Fizer
Ash10canbefound@gmail.com
Ashten_fizer@tmail.com
(312)406-5676
- Hip Hop Press Release
Chicago Rap/Hip hop trio, with astounding national recognition, PROJECT: FR3SH has beat out all of the competition by placing first, once again, in the Inauguration II semi finals at the Betty Blue Star Lounge on August 8, 2008.
The Inauguration II was organized in order to allow Chicago artists to showcase their talents in a variety of music genre’s, including Rap and Alternative. The contest also offered these artists to compete against their peers in the Chicago music industry. That evening’s musical battle just happened to be the competition’s semi finals, which also included Phil G, J Kwest, and last year’s winner, CNC.
PROJECT: FR3SH will go on to compete for the First Prize August 29, 2008; one thousand dollars in cash and two thousand dollars in promotional material. The contest’s sponsors included Moving off Campus.com and Tongue Magazine, while being hosted by Stretch O. of UIC Radio.
About PROJECT: FR3SH The innovative and eclectic rap/hip hop trio encompasses Mark Byrd, native of Chicago’s west side, Chi-Leak, also of the city’s west side, and Penn “the God,” who has resided in various cities in the Midwest. Together, the high energy team, PROJECT: FR3SH, is currently embarking on a journey that will forever change the course of music history. Their unique style and individualized characteristics couples with their advanced lyrical prowess has made them a super group on the Chicago music scene. These three extremely talented solo artists have joined forces in order to penetrate the hearts and minds of all races, religions, and cultures.
About TONGUE MAGAZINE Gene Simmons, a member of the legendary rock band KISS, has started his very own magazine through publisher Sterling/Macfadden. The premiere issue of Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine debuted on newsstands earlier this month. The new publication promises music and entertainment news, plus pictures of scantily clad women.
About MOVING OFF CAMPUS.COM Created for students and by students, Moving off Campus provides a single, easy to use resource for every off campus housing need. Whether you’re looking for a new place to live or need to rent a property you own, they can do the work for you. They also help students find roommates and sublet apartments for short term housing. Their goal is to help every student find the apartment he or she wants, as quickly as possible.
About Ashten Fizer Public Relations Representative
Ashten Fizer is a freelance publicist in Chicago, Illinois. Currently, she is developing the A. Fizer Public Relations Firm which is rapidly growing into a full service, Entertainment Publicity outlet. Lists of current and past clients include: Marcus Fizer (Formerly of the Chicago Bulls), Fresh&Greedy (TVT Records), and PROJECT: FR3SH (Ginzu Cutz Music) and more.
Ashten Fizer
Ash10canbefound@gmail.com
Ashten_fizer@tmail.com
(312)406-5676
- PR Log
I finally figured what makes me more likely to enjoy a hip-hop performance: a live band, with live instruments. It makes a huge difference.
I saw Project:Fr3sh perform last night, and I dug it. They had a live band. I liked some of the tracks I listened to on their myspace page http://www.myspace.com/projectfreshmuziq , and I found them entertaining on stage. And they sure know how to promote themselves! They had quite a following. - http://emerybrown.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/projectfr3sh-morseland/
… that will forever change the course of music history. Their unique style and individualized characteristics … An amalgamation of global music traditions from jazz to blues; Latin rhythms to gospel; African and World …
- My Chicago Website
Discography
Hello World
Heart Beat
Photos
Bio
To some people rap music often feels like a reverse SAT test. Most people in urban America consider the SAT as an intellectual exercise inherently—if not intentionally—biased in a way that does not favor the skill sets of kids from oppressed minorities and dilapidated zip codes. It seems almost natural for a newcomer to edit out the squeaky clean parts of their resume to fit into this mindset of us against the world. But Pennjamin does not seem particularly pressed to play down the upper middle class upbringing and frequently mentions his mother’s central role in his life. " We all have different paths to walk in life, just because mine has a picket fence along it doesn't mean I don't experience heart break, or struggle to achieve my goals and it doesn't mean i don't know how it feels to be broke. I struggle to take care of my daughter and worry about her having the best in life. A lot of people have these problems and me rapping is the way to tell my story"
After first gaining notoriety with the group Project: Fr3sh he burst onto the scene as the pretty boy of the group. At 24 Pennjamin Bannekar is still growing into his looks, with deep-set eyes that make his face somehow boyish. With features almost too large for his slim shoulders, it heightens his youthful qualities. When asked about leaving the group Project: Fr3sh to start his solo career he replied “I respect what Project: Fr3sh accomplished together and they put me in this position,” he says. “But as a solo artist, I have to do my own thing. I’m not sure if that’s gonna be a struggle in the next couple months, to set myself apart. I don’t want it to feel like I'm being disrespectful either, but I know it’s a bridge that I’m going to have to cross as far as becoming my own person.
”Pennjamin is very articulate, driven and has a great vision for his career. "It’s not that I am conceited or arrogant about my success, but i feel that, that i have to build a vision that’s strong enough for the world to see and the only way I can do that is by completing Heart Beat." When you listen to Pennjamin’s music, it is like opening his diary. He crafts each and every song to speak to someone's reality or a moment in his life. "Well I have always sorta been alone in my world. I have great relationships with my parents and stuff, but I’ve never really been connected to anything besides music, and it caused me to think a lot about how to craft stories through music. You can see the thought behind "Over Drive" as he crafts a vivid story of what life is like for him, ” His lead single "Set It Off” that tells the story of a misogynistic reality of some women. “Why Wouldn’t we” which is a pure R&B burner that is really a precursor of where sound is now and where he wants to go musically while "Fast Cars" is the kind of song that lends real credibility to his fans’ claims that Penn is the best lyricist on the hip hop scene in 2010.
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