Pens & Needles

The Mad Rabbi Zawdy Zawboxen and DJ/Producer Bussy Bownlow combine to form Pens & Needles, the most promising new group emerging from the southeast hip hop scene. After recording (and independently releasing) their smash hit debut EP (A.R.C.O., Dotted Line Records, 2003) and satisfying hip hop fans nationwide with their powerful live performances, the two have developed an on stage chemistry and collaborative genius that can't be matched. Bownlow's well-rounded arsenal of skilled cuts and melodic orchestrations are the perfect setting for the Rabbis intricate wordscapes and his commanding presence on the mic. As part of the Asheville, N.C. hip-hop community, the duo has made their mark as a force to be reckoned with in years to come. Born in NYC and raised in Greensboro, NC, wordsmith Zawdy Zawboxen aka The Mad Rabbi is known for his uncanny ability to engage the crowd and convert them into die-hard Pens & Needles fans. A writer at heart, his style is an amalgamation of spoken-word poetry and street smart lyricism. After holding down many backyard ciphers, he was introduced to members of Third World Citizens (an informal crew of hip- hop artists, founded by spoken word revolutionary Monte Smith.) in 1995 and soon after joined the collective. He remained with Third World Citizens for several years, simultaneously fronting a progressive rock/hip hop fusion group called The Ghetto Schled. By performing for a plethora of different audiences, he honed his verbal skills and refined his stage presence down to a science. With a multitude of lyrics at his disposal, the Rabbi never fails to please even the most finicky hip-hop fans. Bussy Bownlow, a North Carolina native, got his start as a house party DJ at Appalachian State University. After obtaining some production equipment, Bownlows focus quickly turned to making beats. With the combined skills of DJing and producing becoming his passion, the Bus soon left his studies to pursue music full time. After producing tracks for friends and local artists, Bussy left N.C. to enroll in a sound engineering school to expand his knowledge of music production. Upon his return to N.C., he moved to Asheville where mutual friends introduced him to the Rabbi. It was a short matter of time before the two had finished the A.R.C.O. EP and put together an impressive live set. Mr. Bownlows recent production work includes the whole of their debut, the bulk of their new album "1.618" (inclucing "50 Ways to Fuck a Fat Girl", "Now", and "Patriot Act"), Scienz of Lifes hit Duck Stupid (Topshelf Music, 2003), and "Schwartzenegger" from the upcoming Breez Evahflowin/Mad Rabbi project "Sheep's Clothing". For next level beats and scratches, few can match Bussy Bownlows commitment to excellence. Currently, Pens & Needles are hard at work promoting their debut full length album, "1.618", which includes their smash hit, "50 Ways to Fuck a Fat Girl", and the underground bangers "Now"(the debut single) and "Patriot Act" which features Breez Evahflowin & Monte Smith. The duo is currently touring, playing select dates across the country, and are planning a full scale tour for the fall of 2005. Also in the works is the third release by PNN, "Free Lunch", which features "Bobcat" and "Pretty Fat". After a recent move to back to their respective hometowns, Pens & Needles are poised to bring intelligent, meaningfull, political, but still hilariously entertaining hip hop back to the forefront, where it belongs.