The release of Beat Assailant's first album, 2005's Hard Twelve, was an introduction to a new kind of urban artist, one who managed to fuse the styles and rhythms of the southern United States and the Parisian music scene. The release of Hard Twelve saw the Paris-based American MC and his team opening for Kanye West and DJ Premier. After several years of touring and a move back to the United States, Beat Assailant reappeared with 2008's Imperial Pressure. ~ Celeste Rhoads