Hollis P Monroe, a music producer and dj currently based in Berlin, is responsible for classic songs in both the Deep House and Funky Breaks genres.
Born a child of hip hop, Hollis P. Monroe explored every facet of the then developing culture. Starting out as a casual observer, he quickly became a contributor through break-dancing, djing, rhyming and tagging. Always searching for other artistic outlets, he found what would eventually lead to his true and final calling-producing. During his high school years, Hollis was formally introduced to Prince via a friend's copy of Sign O' The Times and it changed his musical perspective forever. He became inspired to play his own self-taught chords and melodies along with the samples he used in his hip hop productions. From that point on, Hollis consumed a strict diet of hip hop and Prince and expelled a weird hybrid music which became the foundation for everything he does musically today.
In college, Hollis was reintroduced to electronic music (which he vaguely remembered from his break-dancing days) and began experimenting with a formula to combine the mechanics of electronica with the organics of his style. Aided by his friend, musical counterpart, and business partner, Kyle Odum, they started a demo production company called Renaissance Infinity which eventually evolved into a small record label. On this label, they would release their own tracks to gain exposure and make an attempt at music as a career. Renaissance Infinity's release of The Stupid Def EP marked a turning point where lifelong dreams of success seemed to be within reach. Recorded under his early turntablist tag, DJ Decent, it was Hollis's tribute to his b-boy beginnings. This very diverse collection of breakbeat-laced tracks received very favorable reviews from magazines such as XLR8R, Urb, and DJ. It also received high acclaim from individuals including Keoki and Propellerhead's Alex Gifford who listed Reflex Speed in his top nine all-time favorite records on the internet magazine Ultra. This particular track from the EP, is frequently noted as a standout on DJ Icey's mix CD The Funky Breaks to which it was licensed. Avoiding the typical pigeon hole effect, R.I. followed Stupid Def with a deep house-influenced track called I'm Lonely. Completed in approximately three hours, this was the unexpected result of Hollis's mood during a solo recording session at home. Only available as a promo with no credit given or taken, it was destined to become an underground classic. Judged only on the merits of Hollis's chords, melody, bassline and use of a vocal sample by Terrence Trent D'arby, it was quickly added to the charts and playlists of many notables such as DJ Sneak, Kenny Dixon, Jr., and Manny Ward to name a few. Eventually, it's underproduced yet mysteriously complete sound reached the ears of The Stickmen, who licensed it and immediately used their resources to take things to the next level.... The end result: licensing to an unheard of 7 labels around the world, almost 20 remixes, over 60 appearances on cd compilations, a video, and recognition as an instant classic.
These days, Hollis continues to make sporadic yet significant musical contributions with releases and remixes on highly respected and renowned labels including Ovum (US), West End (US), Soul Candi (South Africa), and Bargrooves/Defected (UK).
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Digital Discography
• Singles & Extended Players
The Black 80s - Move On EP - Freerange
The Black 80s - Black Label 108 - Compost
The Black 80s - Oh DJ - Mother Recordings
Nhan Solo feat. Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - Scary People - Mother Recordings
The Black 80s - Give Me Something - Air London
KiNK & Sierra Sam - My Space feat. Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - Upon You Records
Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - If I'm Alive - N A U
Trickski featuring Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - A Billion People - Suol
Hollis P Monroe feat. Overnite - If You Have A Doubt - Noir Music
Rampa & Hollis P Monroe - Look Out feat. Overnite - Keinemusik Records
Hollis P Monroe & Rhuoho Ruotsi - Black Rhapsody - De'fchild Productions
Hollis P Monroe featuring Christa – This Way – Bargrooves/Defected
Infinite Tracks – Mass Murder/Hypocrites & Liars – Renaissance Infinity Recordings
DJ Decent – Waiting for Whatever – Renaissance Infinity Recordings
Hollis P Monroe – I Want to Thank You (Mother and Father) – Worship Recordings
DJ Decent – The Stupid Def EP – Renaissance Infinity Recordings
Hollis P Monroe - This is Goodbye – Renaissance Infinity Recordings
Rob Paine & Hollis P Monroe – Feelin’ Good – Beatdown Records
Hollis P Monroe featuring Christa – The Heat – West End Records
Hollis P Monroe – Dance the Night Away – 352 Recordings
Universal Agents – Lemon Pie EP – Worship Recordings
Universal Agents – West of Athens – Ovum Recordings
Hollis P Monroe – We’ll Be Together – Stickman Records
Hollis P Monroe – I’m Lonely – Stickman Records
• Remixes
The Black 80s - Move On (Hollis P Monroe and Wrong Jeremy Mix) - Freerange
Nhan Solo feat. Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - Scary People (The Black 80s Remix) - Mother Recordings
The Black 80s - Give Me Something (Hollis P Monroe Mix) - Air London
KiNK & Sierra Sam - My Space feat. Hollis P Monroe & Overnite (The Black 80s Home Studio Mix) - Upon You Records
Trickski featuring Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - A Billion People (The Black 80s Remix) - Suol
Ruoho Ruotsi (feat. jenn mierau) - A Little Haiku (Hollis P. Monroe Remix) - De'fchild Productions
jenn mierau - Hush (International Hollister Remix) - Galactique Recordings
jenn mierau - Hum (Hollis P Monroe Mix) - Semisquare Music
taperecorder - there is a little bit of good in everything (hollis p. monroe remix) - je suis galactique
Kidz on Christian St. – Hooked on Satisfaction (Hollis Monroe Mix) - Worship Recordings
Aaron Carl – My House (Hollis P Monroe Mix) – Ovum Recordings
Vinyl Discography
• Singles & Extended Players
The Black 80s - Move On EP - Freerange
The Black 80s - Black Label 108 - Compost
The Black 80s - Give Me Something - Air London
KiNK & Sierra Sam - My Space feat. Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - Upon You Records
Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - If I'm Alive - N A U
Trickski featuring Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - A Billion People - Suol
Hollis P Monroe feat. Overnite - If You Have A Doubt - Noir Music
Rampa & Hollis P Monroe - Look Out feat. Overnite - Keinemusik Records
Hollis P Monroe & Rhuoho Ruotsi - Black Rhapsody - De'fchild Productions
Hollis P Monroe featuring Christa – This Way – Soul Candi
Rob Paine & Hollis P Monroe - Feelin’ Good – Beatdown Records Promo
Hollis P Monroe vs. Etta James – This is Goodbye - White label Promo
Hollis P Monroe featuring Christa – The Heat – West End Records
Hollis P Monroe – Dance the Night Away – 352 Recordings
Universal Agents – Lemon Pie Ep – Worship Recordings
Universal Agents – West of Athens/East of Washington – Ovum Recordings
Hollis Monroe – Every Night EP – Fiji Recordings
Hollis P Monroe – We’ll Be Together – Stickman Records
DJ Decent – Where You At, G? – Stickman Records
Hollis P Monroe – I’m Lonely – Stickman Records
DJ Decent – Waiting For Whatever – Chunk Recordings
Anonymous – The Sizzler – Infinite Tracks
Anonymous – I Go to Bed Early/Heart Wrapped in Plastic - Renaissance Infinity Recordings
Anonymous – I’m Lonely - Renaissance Infinity Recordings
DJ Decent - The Stupid Def EP - Renaissance Infinity Recordings
Mr. Butch - Sin & Forgiveness EP - Renaissance Infinity Recordings
Hollisinate – Back Again -Renaissance Infinity Recordings
• Remixes
The Black 80s - Move On (Hollis P Monroe and Wrong Jeremy Mix) - Freerange
The Black 80s - Give Me Something (Hollis P Monroe Mix) - Air London
KiNK & Sierra Sam - My Space feat. Hollis P Monroe & Overnite (The Black 80s Home Studio Mix) - Upon You Records
Trickski featuring Hollis P Monroe & Overnite - A Billion People (The Black 80s Remix) - Suol
Aaron Carl – My House (Hollis P Monroe Mix) – Ovum Recordings
R. Kelly vs. Hollis Monroe – Sex Me (Stripped Down Stomp Mix) – Jive Electro
Kidz on Christian St. - Hooked on Satisfaction (Hollis Monroe Mix) - Worship Recordings