VIDEOS
Production by Fantom of the Beat
"Fantom weaves together an intense blend of melodic soul, aggressive bass, and piercing drums as a canvas for Rhymrcka to flow over. The ‘look out’ theme is reiterated throughout the record by Rhymrcka’s cutthroat lyrics and punchlines. Not new to the game, the streets, or life; this duo lead with transparent footsteps and eyes wide open. They’re able to shine in the day and move in darkness simply because they’re immune to haters and the snake-like venom they spew. Fantom and Rhymrcka are ahead of the ops, unloyal dime pieces, crews with hidden agendas, and even envious family members. “Look Out Boy” is a simple message delivered NY style, leaving traces of armor, concrete chalk, and dusted flames behind. Enjoy this heightened dose of ear milk."
(With production on Pop Da Brown Hornet's album "Foreman Mandela which features "Straighten It Out")
HAAS G "FANTOM OF THE BEAT, The Story
“Music is my life; it’s how I express my fears, my sadness and happiness, my everything. My music is raw emotion. “The passion I feel for music shines through in everything I create.” -Fantom of the Beat
Opening the door for Staten Island Hip-Hop, Fantom of the Beat, born Carlos Evans, began his music career as Haas G, part of the Hip-Hop duo UMC’s. In the early 90’s UMC’s won acclaim for their first single “Blue Cheese.” Soon after, the second single, “One to Grow On” became Billboard’s #1 Rap Song. Fantom created songs on both UMC’s albums “Fruits of Nature” and “Unleashed.”
Music, according to Fantom is the universal language. He credits a lifetime of exposure to a variety of genres to his success as a producer. His production credits, through Fantom of the Beat, span many artists in the Hip-Hop world including Sadat X, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, and Ms. Toi. He’s worked with some of the world’s most respected labels such as Def Jam Records, Aftermath Records, Koch Entertainment, Epic Records, and Universal Records. He produced Ghostface Killah’s “Apollo Kids” from the “Supreme Clientele” album. This song helped turn Ghostface Killah’s solo career around, with critics calling it his “street credible resurrection song.” In addition, he composed “Take it Off” for Busta Rhymes on the “Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front” album which is widely considered Busta’s best effort for its sequencing and quality material.
Fantom’s credentials also include “Magic Stick” which he produced for Lil’ Kim and 50 Cent. This track was one of the most played songs in crossover urban markets and reached the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Magic Stick" was featured in the (2005) movie, King's Ransom, and will be on the soundtrack for the upcoming movie Now You See Me 2, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Morgan Freeman.
Fantom continues to stretch his production talents, to include his trademark style combining elements of the late 60’s and 70’s, creating the sounds which represent the struggle and the voice of the inner city. He takes his life experiences and applies them to music, creating sounds that, in essence, are capable of moving people to take action.
Fantom recently released "Audiodrome" a producer's album, joined with UMC's NY Oil for the release of their new single "Flashback", and announced the launch of his own record label "FantoMusic", in partnerwhip with who?mag distribution. As Fantom of the Beat and Haas G, the Hip-Hop icon has been full throttle for decades creating music to elevate the culture at the forefront of music.
"Fantom of the Beat presents "Audiodrome" On ITunes, Tidal, Spotify & all Other Online stores. Hass G of the UMCs (for yall real ones...he also produced "Magic Stick" for @lilkimthequeenbee & @50cent) is on deck with a crazy album of production with ill rap cats over the tracks. This one here by @rhymrcka got to my heart. Seriously. Amid those crazy horns and boom bap slaps, the husky voiced verbal vigilante literally documents the life of us NYC city kids of the early to mid 80s. He spits his hardknock life so vividly that I started to see my days as a latch key kid and how the TV shows of that era formed my mind on what black life looked like outside of my real world. But then he snaps you back to reality on how you have to be careful of what you wish for...the fact that #Rhymerecka did this over a hardcore track in this day gives me faith that our unique sound of NY "underground" isn't lost to the trends of today. Now I'm a biiig lover of the Without Warning album by #21Savage & #Offset...but I need this type of grit and grime and gold bars in my life as well. Can't wait til yall get to see and hear the greatness. Salute to the Gods. Shout to @carlluproductions for the visuals." - @Datwon, Editor-In-Chief of VIBE Magazine
DISCOGRAPHY
Producer to the stars including 50 Cent, Lil Kim, Wu-Tang members, Sadat X, Busta Rhymes, UMC's, Showtime TV Network, and more!
2021 Grammy Nominee Considerations Produced by Fantom of the Beat
NEW MUSIC PRODUCTION
SOUNDTRACK PRODUCTION BY FANTOM OF THE BEAT
The Culture Of Hip Hip: The Staten Island Story
"The culture of hip-hop has been lost as a result of many variables. “I am saying, how do we bring it back to its original form and how can we as a collective- unleash and own our culture now and in the future. I want to instill my integrity into the culture. I want it to blossom and move in the right direction. And it takes more than just a front man to do that. Usually, it's the one behind the scenes who's calling the shots. He is the producer who's developing the plan" - Fantom of the Beat
Culture and Music, Culture Wars, Culture Consideration, Black Culture. These words summon a movement that stood for unity and power. The legendary hip-hop group, The UMC's were part of that transformation. They formed in Staten Island in 1991. The acronym has dual meaning, The Undisputed Masters of Charisma and Unleash My Culture. The name Unleash My Culture resonates today with the changing tides in society and the devolution of music and the world.
The U.M.C.’s released their debut full length album Fruits of Nature which quickly enabled the duo to rise to success amid the Golden age of hip-hop. The record featured their number one billboard hot rap single “Blue Cheese” as well as their number two hot rap single “One to Grow On.”
In 1994, the duo released their second album Unleashed and then followed up with their sophomore effort, By 1995, the duo separated. Haas G focused on producing music after they split, and garnered a number 1 hit for Lil’ Kim Featuring 50 Cent entitled “Magic Stick.” The hit song catapulted Haas G (Fantom of the Beat) to the top of the game. The song peaked on the Billboard Top 100 Chart at number 20 and was a top 10 hit on the Billboard Rap Chart.
Fantom of the Beat formerly Haas G went on to produce tracks for a plethora of artists including: Inspectah Deck, Busta Rhymes, Ghostface Killa from Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon and more throughout the mid 2000's.
Fantom continues to stretch his production talents to include his trademark style combining elements of the late 1960’s and 1970’s, creating sounds which represent the struggle and the voice of the inner city. He uses his life experiences and applies them to music creating sounds that help move people to take action. “Music is a substantial part of my life; it’s how I express my fears, my sadness and happiness. My music is raw emotion,” says Fantom.
His new 6-song EP, Fantom Certified is due for release Fall of 2024. The concept of harnessing new music as it relates to the UMC’s alternate name, Unleash My Culture is a compelling testament to Fantom’s elusive career, his evolution as a producer and how his music relates to the changes in hip-hop. “Back in the day, rappers were teachers. We were soothsayers and we were helping kids who didn't have anyone,” says Fantom.
“When music executives figured out that hip-hop was a money-making opportunity, an open lane emerged, it became manipulation and things were stolen from under our noses. The name Unleash My Culture refers to that feeling, "Unhand me, let me do what I do and let me capitalize off it,” explains Fantom.
The debut track produced by Fantom of the Beat, “Grind Mode'' features Rhymrcka "is heat for the street and Fantom Certified,” says Fantom.
Please be sure to check out the documentary, The Culture of Hip Hop: The Staten Island Story, available now.
“The EP is about substance. It is genuine, something that people will understand and hopefully relate to on a new level. It is about diversity and there are topics,” says Fantom. Fantom Certified was developed using a process of creativity that is totally original. “There is nothing that is artificial in the music."
“The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in music is at a pinnacle and it has many variables, not all of them positive,” says Fantom. AI has the capability and control to create- based on your knowledge of technology and what you know how to do. “AI comes up with it at any given time, how it wants to, and it could strip vocals off of records that were already established and adds new vocals when it needs to or whenever it's ordered to. What part do we play in that? What part of that is ours? We don't own AI companies,” adds Fantom.
The creation is being stolen and revamped in a way where it makes artists and producers obsolete. “They're not even putting much creation into what they're doing. Everything is just cookie cutter. Everything is a blueprint, carbon copies of the original,” says Fantom.
Unleash My Culture stands for owning and trying to protect the culture of hip-hop. “If we don’t don’t stand up for that now, hip-hop will be drowned out not only by AI but simply by the constant stream of music that is available and nothing will be original,” adds Fantom.