Damani Thompson, known by the stage names, Phesto and Phesto Dee (born April 29, 1974), is an American rapper and producer. He is one of the founding four members of the Oakland, California-based underground hip hop group Souls of Mischief, and, with the Souls of Mischief, a part of the eight-person, alternative hip hop collective, the Hieroglyphics.
Biography
Born and raised in Oakland, California, Phesto met fellow Souls of Mischief member Tajai, as well as Hieroglyphics' founder, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, in junior high school. Tajai introduced Phesto to future Souls of Mischief members A-Plus and Opio, and the group formed in high school before releasing their debut album, 93 'til Infinity on Jive Records in 1993.
After Phesto and the Souls of Mischief were dropped by Jive, the group was incorporated into the Hieroglyphics in 1995, at the urging of Del tha Funkee Homosapien.
As a rapper, Phesto is "renown[ed] for his crazy, and up-tempo flows. Rhyming about anything from 'quantum cryptography' to secret Jedi mind tricks, Phesto's skills are undoubtedly a vital piece of the Hieroglyphics foundation.".
Podcasts:
Phesto
ALBUMS
- Background Check released: 2012