PRIE

We all know that spots like Brooklyn, Chicago and Houston have been responsible of birthing hip hop's most prominent figures, but what if I told you that Hawaii is about to be a problem? Alas, from the land of palm trees and puka shell necklaces (you know, the kind you were rocking back in the junior high days) lies PRIE, a 22 year old up and comer who's poised to make some big moves. The Honolulu based rhymer has teased us with a few releases over the last few months, but his latest work, Beautiful Memories, is without one of the nicest projects I've come across as of late.

While most acts are recycling the same trap or DJ Mustard type beats, PRIE goes against the grain with a series of grooved out, jazz heavy instrumentals that provide a much needed breath of fresh air. Prie is in good company on the album: everybody from Chemist, and Mr. Carmack to Tom Misch contribute to the albums with their spectacular sounds. Stylistically, his flow and introspective wordplay will keep you coming back for more. Each track--and even the skits--were enjoyable, but if I was forced to pick some standouts, "For My People" and the closer, "Memory Lane" are the two that I feel best represent PRIE's ambitions and musical ability on this 9 track gem. 2014 may be in the rearview mirror, but that doesn't mean we can't reflect on the times we've had this year. Let's hope that PRIE's cooking up some more tracks for 2015. - Nick Vukorepa

With on-the-come-up emcees like Prie creating a heavy buzz for himself in Hawaii - it's only a matter of time before others start following in his footsteps and rise to the top with the cream of the crop. That, in turn, will eventually shift it's focus on Hawaii's bubbling Hip-Hop scene.

For now, we'll settle on the Kalihi emcee who so far is accepting his seat in the Kingdom's throne just fine. Case in point is "In The Midst Of It All" where he showcases his extraordinary wordplay and smooth delivery on the Maedic-produced joint. - JES7

C’est de Hawaii qu’est originaire notre nouveau « newcomer ». Un endroit où réside une scène hip-hop insoupçonnée dont il est pour le moment le digne représentant. À 23 ans, Prie (prononcé Pri) a déjà partagé la scène avec A$AP Mob, Kid Ink, YG et bientôt G-Easy. Alors que l’artiste prépare la sortie de son prochain projet, c’est un rappeur plein d’optimisme qui nous accorde cette interview. - Raida Hamadi

This is Prie Falaniko, he is a rapper from Honolulu, Hawaii. I met Prie a few months ago on a quiet friday afternoon. He came over with a mutual friend, and almost immediately I began to bombard him with questions about his rap career. He was open-minded to my curiosity and answered everything humbly. We spent the rest of the day just driving around town and listening to him freestyle in the car.

Beautifully shot by Melanie Tjoeng - Benjamin King

Isn’t it about time Hawaii has a rapper to call their own? Prie has all the potential to represent hip-hop in Hawaii. This kid can really spit. Take a look at some of his music below and let us know your thoughts. - Andrew Brochetti

Inspired by the motivation to preserve hip hop culture and its artists, the Curators of Hip Hp tours through the lives of five “dreamers” looking to make a mark in the hip hop world. The accounts are coast-to-coast — and even across water. Take Prie for example, who is based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. The up and comer had enough potential and skill for a pro football career, but that all changed when he witnessed his younger brother’s homicide back in 2007 while residing in Vegas. His mother remembers how the tragedy affected him immensely and “killed his spirit,” but fortunately led him to a promising career in rap.

Logic, on the other hand, underwent trials and tribulations because he looks “like a White boy at first.” “My father, he’s Black and my mother’s White,” he states. His father (and RZA) played a big influence in his music, and in “The element of the emcee” segment of The Curators documentary, you get to see that there’s a lot more to Logic than meets the eye. - Kairi C

Prie is learning the truth of the old adage, what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.

In his 21 years, that’s been a hard challenge at times for him, once as an actual death of a family member that awoke him to the wrong path he was taking, and more recently, finding out who really has his back as one of the up-and-coming hip-hop artists in Hawaii.

The rapper born Shaheem Falaniko has steadily made a name for himself since he came on the local scene in 2007. He had been putting out his music on Facebook and YouTube when Tassho Pearce, founder and creator of Flip the Bird Entertainment, reached out and invited him to join his hip-hop ohana.

2013, in particular, has shaped up to be a critical year for Prie. He’s opened for Nas (both nights at his concerts at The Republik in March) and Big Sean (in April at the first “Legion of Boom” at Aloha Tower Marketplace), and will be back for “Legion of Boom II” on Wednesday, July 3, as one of the opening acts for Trinidad James. - Gary Chun

Moving to Hawaii almost eight years ago, Anderson brought his mainland hip hop knowledge and decided to form a band with other musicians who shared similar music interests.

After teaming up with drummer Kelii Wong, Kalani Pokipala known as DJ Packo, keyboardist Gotaro Oshitari, and rapper Prie Falaniko who goes by Prie, the exposure and success of the group has been nothing but positive.

Performances at shows with underground hip hop notables The Grouch and Eligh, Ruff Ryders symbolic rapper DMX, producer/DJ 9th Wonder, and socialist duo Dead Prez, have helped build the group's already growing fan base. - Tina Jamias

We love it when Kaytranada lends his production skills to rappers, and it’s great to see that he doesn’t seem influenced by fame, having produced for the likes of Mobb Deep, Vic Mensa, Mick Jenkins and his brother Louie P. If it’s dope, Kay is down to produce!

Here we have him laying his soulful hip-hop stylings to ‘Subliminal Messages’, a new track by Hawaiian rapper Prie, who is fresh off the release of his own debut project Beautiful Memories which dropped at the end of the year. - Grant Brydon

Who knew Hawaii produced such great hip-hop talent? Just check out rapper Prie‘s Beautiful Memories project and take a gander at what this Pacific emcee can do.

Even clocking at a pithy twenty-three minutes, Beautiful Memories features various skits (and even a freestyle session) that add to the personal element Prie expresses on this stand-out effort. - Stone