FRES THAO

"Are you living life? Or simply just living?"

Fres Thao is an advocate for the Arts; believing Art is direct energy from the soul. As a Hip Hop pioneer of the Hmong American community, he has been an active lyricist, performer and producer for more than 15 years.

Founding member of nationally dispersed Hip Hop group, Illegoaliens and Twin Cities based collective, Pupils of the Storm, Fres has released numerous albums, mixtapes and compilations including his recent full length album Mind Full Of, released in the summer of 2012.

Through his years as an Artist, Fres has garnered respect from Hip Hop enthusiasts to Art lovers alike. He was a recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board Artists Initiative grant, accessing funds to create his "Mind Full Of" vinyl project; the first full length Hmong American vinyl record album ever. He is currently in the process of writing an illustrated children's poetry book.

Fres is also the founder of Figure Eight Loops Media, and the Executive Director for the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent, the first and only multidisciplinary Hmong arts organization in the world.

Through his struggles, principles and aspirations, he hopes to motivate the community to continue pursuing, supporting and valuing the arts.

His music can be found on iTunes or at www.cdbaby.com/fresthao