Birth name James Brandon Best Years active 1998–present | Origin Los Angeles Labels Anticon Music group Anticon | |
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Also known as The PedestrianEvangelist J.B. BestCosmic LovefuckWhitefolks Occupation(s) Rapper, preacher, writer Albums Volume One: UnIndian Songs, Hei Poa, The Toss & Turn, Drop Bear / Ultramarine Express, Circadian Rhythms Genres Alternative hip hop, Underground hip hop Similar Alias, Jel, Doseone, Sole, Odd Nosdam |
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. He is also known as a preacher under the moniker Evangelist J.B. Best.
Contents
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."
He has written several articles about hip hop for East Bay Express from 2003 to 2004.
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. It was produced by Matt Chang, Jel, Why? and Alias. "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.
Pedestrian toured across the United States and Europe with Sole, Dosh and Telephone Jim Jesus in promotion of the album.
He wrote an article about N.W.A for Xlr8r in 2008.
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."
Studio albums
Pedestrian
Object Beings (Pedestrian with Doseone & Why?)
EPs, mixtapes, compilations
EPs
Mixtapes
Compilations
Singles
Guest appearances
Tracks appear on
Writing credits
Songs
Jane 2: Electric BoogalooVolume One: UnIndian Songs · 2005
The Toss & TurnVolume One: UnIndian Songs · 2005
Arrest the PresidentVolume One: UnIndian Songs · 2005