Pedestrian (rapper)

James Brandon Best, better known by his stage name Pedestrian, is a rapper and writer from Los Angeles. He is a co-founder of Anticon.[1] He is also known as a preacher under the moniker Evangelist J.B. Best.[2]

Pedestrian
Birth nameJames Brandon Best
Also known asThe Pedestrian
Evangelist J.B. Best
Cosmic Lovefuck
Whitefolks
OriginLos Angeles
GenresAlternative hip hop, underground hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, preacher, writer
Years active1998–present
LabelsAnticon
Associated actsSole, Jel, Telephone Jim Jesus, Yoni Wolf
Websitewww.anticon.com

History

In 1998, Pedestian co-founded Anticon with other indie hip hop artists. He came up with the name; it means "anti conformity" originally, but also means "ant icon."[3]

He has written several articles about hip hop for East Bay Express from 2003 to 2004.[4][5][6]

After being featured on other Anticon co-founders' albums such as Them and Bottle of Humans, Pedestrian released his debut solo album Volume One: UnIndian Songs on the label in 2005.[7] It was produced by Matt Chang, Jel, Why? and Alias.[8] "The Toss & Turn" b/w "Arrest the President," a single from the album, includes the track "Resurrection Morning Sermon" performed by Evangelist J.B. Best.[9]

Pedestrian toured across the United States[10][11] and Europe[12][13] with Sole, Dosh and Telephone Jim Jesus in promotion of the album.

He wrote an article about N.W.A for Xlr8r in 2008.[14]

Style

In a 2003 interview, Pedestrian talked about his influence and rapping style:

"I was mostly into fast rapping and freestyling, and I was really inspired too by a lot of vocalese-Annie Ross, Jon Hendricks, and Eddie Jefferson especially. Which is probably the apotheosis of voice-as-instrument. But the whole appeal of rap for me has always been its hyper-wordiness, and more than anything I want to communicate ideas."[15]

Discography

Studio albums

Pedestrian

Object Beings (Pedestrian with Doseone & Why?)

  • Object Beings (2001)

EPs, mixtapes, compilations

EPs

Mixtapes

  • Red Dawn: A Baybridge Epic (2001) (with Sole, as Da Babylonianz)

Compilations

  • Songs of the Light Workers' Local #168 (2005)

Singles
  • "The Toss & Turn" b/w "Arrest the President" (Anticon, 2004)

Guest appearances

Tracks appear on

Writing credits

References
  1. McAllister, Lulu (November 19, 2008). "Anticon Celebrates Tenth Birthday in NYC". XLR8R.
  2. "Spotlight on: Becoming Weather by Chris Martin". Coffee House Press.
  3. Gulliford, Tristan (September 26, 2007). "Sole Survivor: An Interview with Sole". Reality Sandwich.
  4. Best, James (May 28, 2003). "Hip-Hop's Cadaver Capitalism". East Bay Express.
  5. Best, James (September 3, 2003). "Black Like Me". East Bay Express.
  6. Best, James (February 25, 2004). "You Failed Hip-Hop". East Bay Express.
  7. Diver, Mike (January 12, 2005). "pedestrian Volume One: unIndian Songs". Drowned in Sound.
  8. "Volume One: UnIndian Songs". Discogs.
  9. "The Toss & Turn". Discogs.
  10. D.X. Ferris (April 6, 2005). "Sole/Pedestrian". Cleveland Scene.
  11. Lovell, Jarret. "Anticon Collective Declares "War on Self"". KUCI.
  12. "Sole & Pedestrian – 'Arrest the President' – Live". Delarge.
  13. Bora (June 21, 2005). "Anticon's 'War on Self Tour'". OPJESMOEL.
  14. Best, Brandon (February 27, 2008). "Pedestrian Dissects N.W.A." XLR8R.
  15. Spill (November 11, 2003). "The Pedestrian". Urban Smarts.
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