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, boundless energy on stage and uncanny ability to compose musical symphonies with his mouth through human beat boxing. His unwavering work ethic and kind heart have earned him the respect of many of Independent and commercial music's most reputable artists. 

When it is time to perform live shows, Carnage sometimes exercises the choice of carrying on Oldschool Hip-Hop tradition by performing with a DJ on two turntables. By himself, Carnage brings the heavy artillery: he comes armed with two microphones, a Boss RC-20 Loop Station, a Digitech Vocal Effects Processor, a small case of hand percussion instruments and a commanding voice. He then does exactly what his name implies and not only "Kills it" (a familiar term in Hip-Hop for putting on a great performance), but he "Executes it"! Moreover, he takes no prisoners! Beat boxing, as people know it, is transformed into an amazing, interactive experience as Carnage constructs complex multi-layered soundscapes from the ground up with breath-taking accuracy. However, he does not stop there - he proceeds to rap, harmonize and vocal-scratch over his backdrops with intensity, presence and showmanship that is difficult to put into words...So it must be witnessed first-hand! 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.

Years of performing locally and touring nationally, as well as collaborating with countless musicians from all genres has contributed to Carnage's constant progression and helped him develop a knack for teaching. He teaches both private and group beatboxing 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 wrote his first rhyme in 1987 under the name "T-Swift", which began his quest to become an emcee. Following his first time recording in a studio in 1991 with partner DJ X-Caliber and performing a few local shows, he made his first appearance on a release in 1996. This was Minnesota’s first full-length compilation called “The Collective”. Carnage, along with his former group, The SWEEPS released, "Bootleg Tracks From Junkion" EP in 2001 and "Foreign Genetics" full-length in 2003. Carnage independently funded and oversaw the release of his first solo, unofficial album called, "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” called Hecatomb, comprised of up-and-coming local Hip Hop & Rock artists. “The Carnology” sold in high volumes via myspace.com/carnagetheexecutioner, hand-to-hand and in many independently owned record stores. Carnage released his first full-length solo debut titled, "Sense Of Sound" independently on Hecatomb Industries on July 17 2007. This album featured what people had come to expect from Carnage at that time – raw delivery, intricate patterns and unique wordplay.

Carnage, with the help of another independent Hip-Hop label called Fill In The Breaks, released “Worth The Wait” on January 11 2011. This, again, lives up to what Carnage is known for, as well as highlighting some of his most personal work to date. Carnage speaks of his life struggles ranging from living in poverty and having very little positive parental influences to his insecurities with making music he thinks people will not support. 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, being called “Intense and a not-what-was-expected release”, “Powerful and personal without sounding preachy” and “Futuristic…Not-the-norm when compared to most Hip-Hop albums”. In addition to the albums that Carnage has released himself, he has been featured on over 50 releases to date!

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. ‘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 in 2004. “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 was also nominated for a Minnesota Music Award for 'Best Hip Hop Artist/Group' in 2006 for his work as a human beat boxer for female Hip Hop/Spoken Word Artist, Desdamona, (the duo goes by the name "Ill Chemistry").

In addition to working full-time as a social worker, 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 and emcees Mazta I & Kristoff Krane, along with J.T. Bates playing drums and Casey O’Brien playing bass for the Eyedea & Friends Tour. He and the crew performed improvised Jazz/Hip Hop sets for an unbelievable 2 hours a night! 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. Carnage is also the only feature on the newest Face Candy project to be release in early 2011 called “Waist Age Teen Land”.

Carnage was given an opportunity to do his first solo set at Scribblejam in 2005, the first largest, organized annual Hip Hop event, after performing as a guest with Eyedea & Abilities' in the summer of 2004. Carnage performed at Soundset 2008 and 2009 – the Rhymesayers-hosted, and now, best-attended Hip-Hop festival in the nation. He has also shared stages with Krs-One, Atmosphere, Freeway, Guru, Devin Tha Dude, Xzibit, Sage Francis, Sadat X (Brand Nubian), Aesop Rock, Brother Ali, El-P, Mr. Dibbs and more over the past 8 years.