San Diego Reader

Caleb Cruz: MC | Tory T: MC | Eddie Barnachea: Bass guitar | Jen Manglicmot: Keyboards, Vocals | Shean Borja: Guitar (electric) | Cody Branin: Drums

Genre: Hip-Hop & Rap

Sound description: Hip-hop jam band.

RIYL: The Roots, Common, Jay-Z

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Related Links

• Concrete Project website

Synoposis

Inception: San Diego, 2007

Background:

The Concrete Project is a hip-hop band that performs live with instruments, singers, and occasionally dancers. The group's origins date back to 2003, when Santa Rita, Guam transplant Shaun “Bro” Borja moved to San Diego to work in the mailroom of a mortgage company. There, the rock-influenced guitarist met Caleb “MCI” Cruz, who was holding down a mundane cubicle position in the office upstairs.

In 2004, drummer Eddie Barnachea joined with the duo to form (along with three other musicians) the hip-hop fusion band Audio Antics, which would last until 2006.

The Concrete Project formed when solo pianist/singer Jen “Mango” Manglicmot, at the time an elementary school teacher, joined in 2007, as did Tory “Killabars” Thomas, who had finished his service with the U.S. Navy to start his label Hit Mobb Ent.

Having spent most of 2007 shaping their sound in the rehearsal studio, the Concrete Project first hit the stage in late 2007. They took a break from live performances in March 2008 to record a debut album, released in August 2008.

Discography