The Monastery Music Group

The Monastery is primarily a Hip Hop collective originating mostly from Birmingham [Pleasant Grove] Alabama that consists of writers, rappers, producers, DJs, engineers, and designers ranging from the ages of 18 to 24. The group is currently headlined by two MC's; Carlos Charm (21), and Paco (22).  They first joined forces while they were students at Pleasant Grove High School. Four years of life and college, 5 collective projects, and dozens open mic shows later, they are finally emerging as dynamic artists off the strength of their consistent stage performance, style, originality, and most importantly a unique sound.

Since the inception of the group, Charm and Paco have produced two mixtapes independently.  In 2012, Charm dropped his debut mixtape, "The New Testament," and in 2014, followed up with "The Feast and the Famine." Meanwhile, Paco released "Tales of a High School Nothing" in 2012, and went on to release his second project, "By Any Dreams," in 2015. 

This all leads up to the first collaboration tape (released 6/9/2015), "The Genesis."  The idea for a collaboration tape was first introduced in 2012, but due to significant musical development from both artists, the project has been through several different phases before reaching a medium that the group was comfortable with releasing and promoting. The tape boasts crowd favorites such as "Move (Wack N*ggaz)" and "Real Chill" as well as freestyles to classics such as "Shook Ones" and "Who Shot Ya."

The duo followed up with a self-funded "Way Too Live For A Nine2Five Tour" which included performances all over the Southeast capped off with a week long stint in New York City.  The first highlight of the tour includes the Monastery being crowned the inaugural winners of the "I Got Next," hip hop competition hosted by the BR Hip Hop Project in Baton Rouge, LA. Another highlight details headlining a packed-out show in their hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, at the BOSS Ultra Lounge. While in New York City, the Monastery was the only southern feature act at the E.O.Dub. (End of the Weak) Open Mic, the oldest-running open mic in New York City.  The group also performed at The NuyoRicans Poets Cafe, and was the only southern MC's to compete in the Jack Daniels-sponsored "Jack N' Beats" competition, hosted in Brooklyn by DJ Envy, at the Roc N' Sole Shoe Boutique (Carlos Charm placed 6th in the final round out of 50+ MC's).

Upon finishing their summer campaign, the group is currently continuing their efforts to establish a base on their respective college campuses in the Auburn-Montgomery area of Alabama by hosting and headlining shows. Paco and Carlos Charm are currently working on a follow up collaboration project, the name of which will be released later.