ISWHAT?! started out in 1996 as a renegade hip-hop trio, focusing on
live performances, but instead of only saluting rap pioneers,
ISWHAT?! connects Hip-hop with free-jazz, rock and soul in a unique
way.

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the band was formed by vocalist/beatboxer
Napoleon Maddox, saxophonist Jack Walker, and bassist Matthew
Anderson. The group has shared the stage with performers ranging
from KRS ONE to Archie Shepp to Antibalas, and released its first
album, "Landmines" in 1999. The Cd "You Figure It Out" followed in
2003. In 2006, ISWHAT?! primarily consisted of NapoleonSolo and Sir
Jac. Together they released the critically acclaimed Cd "The Life
We Chose" though Matthew had some input as well as other guest
musicians.

By the end of 2006, Matthew Anderson departed from the group and the
line-up expanded to include Joe Fonda on bass, Claire Daly on
baritone sax and longtime ISWHAT?! contributor/associate Hamid Drake
on drums. Around this time, the group also began to tour Europe,
playing many of their big music festivals. ISWHAT?! developed a
buzz as the group received numerous glowing reviews in major music
magazines and airplay on many independent radio stations.

The ISWHAT?! line-up became even more expansive due to the musicians
heavy touring schedules. Other ISWHAT?! family members includes
Chris Walker, Anthony Lee, Eddie Bayard, DJ Apryl Reign, Benjamin
Sanz, Flip Barnes, Cocheme'a Gastelum, Brent Olds, Jeremy
Cunningham, and Rashawn Murph. There are also very special guests
such as Archie Shepp, Oliver Lake and Champion Battle DJ, (DJ SPS)
from Orlando, Florida, whom all perform with ISWHAT?! on occasion.

In 2008, Cocheme'a Gastelum became more involved in the group and
Brent Olds (Killa-O), bass player and prolific composer moved from
Chicago to Cincinnati to become an official member of ISWHAT?!.
Brent proved invaluable to the group, as he is a tech savvy graphic
designer. NapoleonSolo, Killa-O, and Sir Jac began to work together
on video, visual art,and composing music in a new and exciting way, thus expanding the expression of ISWHAT?! to touch all realms of creativity. As a result of this fresh new energy, in 2008, the "NU TAKES" EP was born.

In the spring of 2009, Archie Shepp released "Phat Jam in Milano"
featuring the music of ISWHAT?! This came about as a result of an
ISWHAT?! concert date at Teatro Manzoni, in Milan, Italy. Archie
Shepp loved the music so much that he decided to release it "Live."
The concert was highly publicized for the historical content ...
Iswhat?! featured Archie Shepp and Oliver Lake on stage together for
the first time !!!

The next chapter of the ISWHAT?! story is being written even as you
read this ... it isabsolutely fantastic to witness.

Stay tuned for "BIG APPETITE" ... Coming Fall 2009 !!! ... The Saga
Continues !!! ...

In the meantime make sure to check out our new video off our new album! Fantastic!