Lyrical Skill, Lofty Aspirations: The Monastery
Paco, 23 (left), and Carlos Charm, 22, make up the rap duo "The Monastery." The Pleasant Grove natives say they're trying to change the game from the inside out.
Their inspirations include modern rappers but also go all the way back to A Tribe Called Quest, Jimi Hendrix, and actual monks. They’re The Monastery, a duo making their mark on Alabama’s growing rap scene with intricate lyrics they hope will entertain and enlighten.
Kieron Hylton, aka Carlos Charm, and Michael Banks, aka Paco, stopped by the station to talk — and rap — with WBHM’s Dan Carsen. Carlos and Paco perform Friday night at Birmingham’s Das Haus for the Secret Stages music festival. But Paco says some of his own family still don’t know much about his music career … yet.
Listen to the five-minute on-air interview above. Excerpts, a freestyle rap performance (featuring a WBHM staffer), and a 32-minute web-exclusive interview are below.
Conventional Expectations
“A lot of people expected me to be a doctor, something that requires a lot of intellect … I still feel like I chose a profession that does.” — Carlos Charm
Perceived Success, Actual Success
“Perception is everything. We got a bigger following, just off changing how we marketed … Our first time going to New York, we got a lot more fans, a lot more people paying attention to us, just because we did that — not even based off our skill or content or anything. And I don’t know if that’s a problem with the game now, but if you market yourself the right way … people tend to pay attention.” — Paco
J-School?
“I went to school for journalism and I couldn’t do it … Media is in a weird place, just like rap. If I would do it, I’d rather be a freelance writer or something. I couldn’t ‘have a boss’ in the media.” — Paco
Changes In Hip-hop
“We’re in a time where everything isn’t as deep or profound as it was in the 90s, or early 2000s for some people. But I had to learn to stop being a pessimist about the music because I was hating everything … [the simpler music] has its place. The problem is that it isn’t balanced. The game is like that in every field. It’s not balanced in the media, it’s not balanced in sports … but if you want that balance, you can go and find it, because it’s out there.” — Paco
“Hip-hop is expanding so much, so rapidly … And [our Secret Stages performance] is gonna be our best concert ever — we’re gonna make sure of it.” — Carlos Charm
The whole freestyle rap & beatbox session:
The 32-minute web-exclusive interview:
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
