MC Paul Barman
Born
Paul Nathaniel Barman[1]

(1974-10-30) October 30, 1974 (age 49)[2]
Ridgewood, New Jersey, U.S.
Other names
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • illustrator
  • songwriter
Years active1996–present
Musical career
Genres
Labels
Websitemcpaulbarman.com

Paul Nathaniel Barman (born October 30, 1974), better known by his stage name MC Paul Barman, is an American rapper and illustrator. Having emerged during the early 2000s, Barman became a definitive voice within the realm of alternative hip hop, noted for his intricate rhyme schemes and humorous narrative style, which he infuses with an array of literary devices. He is particularly recognized for his usage of word games, including acrostics[3] and palindromes,[4][5] in crafting his rap lyrics. The SymmyS Awards, a competition once organized by The Palindromist, had Barman as a past panel judge.[6] Barman's complex and multilayered approach to songwriting has earned him both acclaim and attention, marking him as a distinctive and influential figure within the alternative hip hop scene.

Early life

Barman is from Ridgewood, New Jersey. He is Jewish. He attended Brown University.[7]

Career

MC Paul Barman released his debut EP, It's Very Stimulating, on Wordsound in 2000; it was produced by Prince Paul.[8]

His first studio album, Paullelujah!, was released on Coup d'État in 2002; it was produced by Prince Paul, MF DOOM, Mike V, and Phofo.[9]

He released his second studio album, Thought Balloon Mushroom Cloud, on Househusband in 2009.[10]

He has toured with Blackalicious.[11] He has taught a hip hop class to high school kids at the Bank Street College of Education.[12]

In 2018, he released (((Echo Chamber))), his first studio album since 2009's Thought Balloon Mushroom Cloud, on Mello Music Group.[13] It included productions from MF Doom, Questlove, and Mark Ronson,[14] as well as guest appearances from Open Mike Eagle and Masta Ace.[15]

Musical style and influences

The New York Times called his music "a surreal departure from the rap norm".[7] His music has been influenced by Boogie Down Productions, Jungle Brothers, Wu-Tang Clan, MC Lyte, and De La Soul.[16]

Discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Mixtapes

EPs

Singles

Guest appearances

References

  1. ^ "MC Paul Barman". Wordsound. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  2. ^ MC Paul Barman (October 30, 2017). "Glory Be I'm 43". Twitter. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  3. ^ Matson, Andrew (December 3, 2009). "Listening to Paul Barman will make you smarter than listening to Mozart". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  4. ^ Miller, Jake (April 2003). "Rapping in Palindromes". Brown Alumni Magazine. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Hoffman, Michael (February 21, 2003). "Sometimes-Cerebral Rapper Mixes Palindromes, Politics". The Harvard Crimson. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Matheson, Whitney (April 15, 2014). "It's the SymmyS: Awards honor best new palindromes". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Rosen, Jody (April 23, 2000). "MUSIC; Rapping in Whiteface (for Laughs)". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  8. ^ Quinlan, Thomas (April 1, 2000). "MC Paul Barman - It's Very Stimulating". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  9. ^ LeMay, Matt (November 20, 2002). "MC Paul Barman: Paullelujah!". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  10. ^ Candiotto, Nicholas (June 5, 2010). "MC Paul Barman - Thought Balloon Mushroom Cloud". Potholes in My Blog. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  11. ^ Murray, Margaret (January 14, 2003). "Paullelujah!". XLR8R. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  12. ^ Westhoff, Ben (January 5, 2010). "MC Paul Barman Perseveres". The Village Voice. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  13. ^ Yoo, Noah; Strauss, Matthew (March 12, 2018). "MF Doom, Questlove, Mark Ronson, More Produce New MC Paul Barman Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  14. ^ Mullin, Kyle (May 18, 2018). "MC Paul Barman Discusses Writing in the Dark, Making His Kids Proud and His Return to Music on '(((Echo Chamber)))'". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  15. ^ Williams, Aaron (May 22, 2018). "Within Hip-Hop, Playboi Carti And MC Paul Barman Aren't As Different As They Might Seem". Uproxx. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  16. ^ Rogus, Jamie (May 16, 2011). "MC White Intellectual". Indy Week. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  17. ^ "(happy holidays)". Bandcamp. December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.

External links

Authority control databases: Artists
Categories