26-year-old rap/punk artist Stose has been breaking down barriers and bridging gaps between diverse forms of music, politics, and culture since he started his first band at age 15. Stose’s debut EP, “Civil Disobedience,” redefines not just what it means to be a musician, but what it means to be a citizen in an increasingly corrupt and unjust society. Stose’s signature mixture of hip hop and hardcore has attracted a wide and discerning audience that’s smart enough to seek out a unique sound—the sound of Stose.

Born in Virginia and now based out of the Bronx in New York City, Stose cites a variety of musical and culture influences. From Dr. Dre to Iggy Pop and Edward Snowden to Black Flag, Stose is fueled by forces for change that challenge the status quo. As a songwriter in the tradition of Henry Rollins and NWA, Stose informs as he entertains and tells stories that open eyes. Stose’s “Civil Disobedience” EP, inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s famous 1849 essay of the same name, has served as both a personal and artistic touchstone.

“Music is the only outlet in which I can truly express myself,” Stose says. “I’ve taken breaks from it in the past, and in those times I found myself very depressed and angry. This, my music, is what keeps me sane. It always has been.”
 
Prior to “Civil Disobedience,” Stose released his first single as a solo artist, “Alive.” The follow-up single, “Misfits,” was accompanied by a music video shot in and around New York City with Stose’s childhood friends and bandmates from Virginia. The “Misfits” video debuted on Paper Magazine. Since the launch of his solo career in 2011, Stose has played dozens of shows in venues across the United States, including Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and New York City.
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