Carnage

Minneapolis, MN

Hip-Hop/Beatboxing/Looping/Experimental

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Terrell Woods A.K.A. Carnage "The Executioner" is widely recognized for his mind-numbing lyrical dexterity and uncanny ability to compose musical symphonies with his mouth through human beat boxing. His unwavering work ethic, warm personality and kind heart have earned him the respect of many of Independent and commercial music's most reputable artists. Referring to Carnage’s beat boxing abilities, a writer from Minneapolis Star Tribune said, “his mouth might be the best drummer in town” in 2011.

When performing, Carnage comes armed with two microphones, a Boss RC-20 Loop Station, a Digitech Vocal Effects Processor, a small case of percussion instruments, boundless energy and a commanding stage presence. Carnage uses his famous beat boxing skills to construct complex multi layered soundscapes from the ground up with breath-taking accuracy, and then proceeds to rap, harmonize and vocal-scratch over his backdrops with intensity, and showmanship that is difficult to put into words. Carnage's original material speaks for itself. Nevertheless, his ability to cover songs, as only bands with multiple vocalists are able to do makes Carnage a one-man-band and total entertainment package. Upon request, Carnage also performs with a rock-influenced live band comprised of some of his best friends, who also happen to be some of the best musicians in town.

Carnage teaches both private and group beat boxing lessons to youth in community and school settings, extensively covering the fundamentals of beat boxing while adding in components of basic rhyme/rap-writing structure. Carnage is a catalyst in the development of creative and positive modes of self-expression that strengthen strong leadership skills.

Carnage made his first appearance on a release in 1996 on Minnesota’s first full-length compilation, The Collective. Carnage, along with his former group, The SWEEPS released Bootleg Tracks From Junkion EP in 2001 and Foreign Genetics full-length album in 2003. Carnage independently funded and oversaw the release of his first solo, unofficial album, The Carnology Vol. 0.5 EP on his own label, Hecatomb Industries, which he started in 2004. This also marked the start of Carnage’s crew and label called Hecatomb, comprised of up-and-coming local Hip Hop & Rock artists. The Carnology sold in high volumes via Myspace.com hand-to-hand as well as in many independently owned record stores and online. The Carnology Vol. 0.5 EP was nominated as 'One Of The Top 10 Albums That Matter In The Past 2 Years' in the Star Tribune. Carnage released his first full-length solo debut album, Sense Of Sound independently on Hecatomb Industries in July 17 2007. Sense Of Sound was listed as number 9 in the top 10 best selling CD's in MN at the Fifth Element Hip-Hop shop and the number 3 best seller in Electric Fetus record store in 2007.

Carnage, with the help of another independent Hip-Hop label, Fill In The Breaks, released Worth The Wait in January 2011. Offering some of his most personal work, Carnage speaks of his life struggles ranging from living in poverty and having very little positive parental influence to his insecurities. His artistic growth is notable and only shows his progression into a potent storyteller. Carnage has received great feedback for Worth The Wait from both fans and critics. Worth The Wait was listed as one of ‘The Best Albums Of 2011’ in the Star Tribune. This article said that Carnage is “…busy proving why he should be called the most skillful emcee in MN”. Worth The Wait also debuted at #25 on the CMJ New Music charts and peaked at #18 between May and July of 2011. Carnage and Fill in the Breaks labelmates completed a successful tour of the West Coast region in June & July 2012 to promote Worth The Wait.

Carnage was called ‘One Of The Top 5 Rappers In MN’ in the Star Tribune 2004. Carnage, along with Eyedea And Friends were called one of the ‘Top 5 Local Live Acts’ and ‘The Emcee To Keep Your Eyes On’, in The Minneapolis City Pages in 2005. Ill Chemistry received a Minnesota Music Award nomination for 'Best Hip Hop Artist/Group' in 2006.

Ill Chemistry released their highly-anticipated debut self-titled album in January 2012 on French Jazz music label, Nato/Hopestreet Records. The album features both Carnage and Desdamona sharing vocalist duties and Carnage constructing almost all music for the songs by beat boxing. The album has received rave reviews in France and sparked notable media attention in the United States before it was imported. Ill Chemistry played the well-attended Sons d’hiver Music Festival and completed an initial tour of Europe to support their album in February and April 2012. More tours of Europe are currently in the works.

While working full-time as a social worker and youth counselor, Carnage still found the time to tour with Eyedea & Abilities twice! He guest appeared on the Leave Of Absence Tour in October & November of 2004 and in April of 2004 on the Plague On Wheels Tour. In July and August of 2005, Carnage toured the Midwest with Eyedea for the Eyedea & Friends Tour, performed improvised Jazz/Hip Hop sets. This tour resulted in Carnage being featured on Eyedea’s all-improvised 2006 release, Face Candy, This Is Where We Were (Rhymesayers). This album features Carnage freestyling and human beat boxing, displaying him at equal levels of skill performing both duties. This album features Carnage freestyling and beat boxing, displaying him at equal levels of skill performing both duties. Carnage is also the only feature on the newest Face Candy project, Waste Age Teen Land release in early 2011.

Carnage has performed at Soundset 2008 and 2009 – the Rhymesayers-hosted, and now, best-attended Hip-Hop festival in the nation. Carnage was invited to host the Fifth Element/ second stage at Soundset in 2011. Carnage was given an opportunity to do his first solo set at Scribblejam in 2005, after performing as a guest with Eyedea & Abilities' in the summer of 2004. He has also shared stages with KRS-One, Atmosphere, Yelawolf, Freeway, Guru, Too $hort, Devin Tha Dude, X’Zibit, Sage Francis, Sadat X (Brand Nubian), Aesop Rock, Brother Ali, El-P, Mr. Dibbs, Aceyalone and more over the past 8 years.