Few Are Chosen

The name, "Chosen Few", upon first glance can conjour sentiments of elitism and seperatism. Nothing, however could be further from the truth. The meaning of the name and the overall mission behind the group is to encourage listeners to empower themselves by realizing that they themselves had the power to choose what music they want to listen to, and not just take whatever the powers that be threw at them to ingest; to realize that they are indeed capable of applying these principles to the rest of their lives as well, i.e. food, thought, spirituality, to carve their own paths and seperate themselves from the flock....the few amongst the many. The power of choice lies in all of us.

Choice is something that the 3 men (Cold Showda, Unjust, and Charles Cooper) were very familiar with having to seek out, growing up in Ohio, a place that is still today very rooted in old world philosophy and customs, and that does not offer much local support or awareness for art and music that does not cater to the homogenized mainstream standard. However, like local musical pioneers before them Bootsy Collins, Ohio Players, Roger Trautman, the Isley Brothers and more, the three men were able to defy these restraints and create a movement for themselves collaborating with regional talent like Hi-Tek, Dj Kweli and Slum Village. Alas, they saw the limitations of a small market, and in 2002 embarked on the mission westward, landing in the bay area, a region well known for fostering dynamic creative movements and well as those for socia lchange. Cold Showda and Charles Cooper performed together as Greans, a group that took the bay area by storm, performing with the likes of DJ Hi-Tek, Mos Def, Common, Alkoholics, Hieroglyphics, Pharcyde, Grandmaster Flash, Slum VIllage, Bootcamp, and more. Unjust began focusing on his career in graphic arts and became the creative director for ABB Records. He has since worked with Hieroglyphics, Dilated Peoples, Little Brother, Pastor Troy, Hi-Tek, Strong Arm Steady, Planet Asia, Tek9, J. Dilla, A.G., O.C., Nappy Roots, Dizzee Rascal, The Black Panthers, and more .

In 2008 After numerous group dynamics and solo ventures were achieved, the 3 found themsleves back in Oakland and began to feel an energy build that was a direct reaction of the state of their beloved artform. In the midst of hip-hop movements such as the south's crunk scene and the more local hyphy scene in the bay area, they began to notice that there was a very limted emotional range in hip-hop music that was available for people to find. The social pro-activity, the urgency, and rebelliousness that made hip-hop the cultural revolution that it is was becoming less and less visible. So they set out to forge together and create a sound that was rich in emotion, meaningful, and impactful as well as being fun, and vivacious. Thus producing the "New World Symphony" album, with Unjust's soul and pychadelic rock laden beats, Cold Showda's relentlessly agressive lyrics, and Charles "Chop" Cooper's masterful saxaphone playing and lyricism. Making guest appearances on the album are Del The Funky Homosapien, Pep Love, Rakaa Iriscience, Phat Kat, DJ Babu, Tajai, Opio, Piakahn, Word4Word and more.

All 3 work in pro-scoial capacities during time off from touring; Unjust working with at-risk-youth, Cold Showda as a mental health counselor, and Charles Cooper as a coach and teacher. "Being that we all are involved in education and pro-social work we value certian ideals", says Charles Cooper. "Integrity, unity, work ethic,being genuine, and innovative, and valuing the importance of personal relationships. We wanted to make sure those values shined through on this album, for the listener to enjoy." The logo created by unjust serves to symbolize these core values. "I wanted it to bring about a feeling of connectedness...", he said. "The C and the F flow into each other, and it all flows back to you. With the logo and the name, we are trying to encourage people to stand up, be your own individual and BE one of the chosen few. Lead your own charge, without scoietal restrictions." While the music on the album is very serious with that sense of urgency, it will also keep your head bobbing, your mind working,and your body moving.