River Nelson is a Brooklyn-based MC who begins recording in the early 1990s as part of the Boogiemonsters collective. He features on the group’s first album, Riders Of The Storm: The Under Water Album, and goes on to build a reputation on the New York underground hip-hop circuit and through performances across the US and overseas.

Career

Nelson is known for his flow and for working within underground hip hop. He performs with artists including Talib Kweli, Common, Peoples Army and WordsWorth. His early career is tied to the Boogiemonsters, and Vex Davortex is identified as an old crew member from that period.

Work with Lewis Parker

In November 2004, Nelson meets producer Lewis Parker at a Medina Green listening party in downtown Manhattan. Parker gives him a beats CD, and the two later record material together at Parker’s studio in Queens. Their collaboration develops into the album The Rise and Fall of River Nelson, released on The World Of Dusty Vinyl and produced entirely by Lewis Parker.

The Rise and Fall of River Nelson

The album focuses on everyday struggles, setbacks and recovery, with songs such as Hold On, End Of The Day and Beautiful Life. Guest appearances on the record include Dynas, Jacky Danz, Lil Panama and Vex Davortex of The Boogiemonsters. The project is presented as a hip-hop album intended to carry feeling, hope and emotional weight rather than straightforward upbeat music.