Getting to Know: Foreign Exchange

Producer Nicolay (left) and Phonte
of The Foreign Exchange

Hailing from ties to my home state, North Carolina, the grammy nominated duo The Foreign Exchange may not be well known nationally but very soon they will be. Made up of producer Nicolay and rapper/singer/songwriter, Phonte. This unusual pairing just so happens to make beautiful music together. They  along with a team of artists make up this dynamic and musically gifted collective that includes multi-instrumentalist, Zo!, Wilmington, NC emcee Median, and singer/songwriter Jeanne Jolly. 

The duo of Nicolay and Phonte (member of acclaimed hip hop group, Little Brother) are the most prolific despite becoming connected through the power of online. The two met through a hip hop message board while Nicolay was still in his home country of Holland. They went on to create the album, Connected (2004) together before they had even met in person. They are currently on their fifth album release with their sophomore project garnering a Grammy nomination for the debut single "Daykeeper". 

The Foreign Exchange roots are deeply embedded in the culture of hip hop. Phonte was a member of the critically acclaimed N.C based Hip Hop group Little Brother whose other members included rapper Big Pooh and award winning producer 9th Wonder.  

The recently released album, Love In Flying Colors, features Nicolay's signature electro soul production and Phonte's mix of R&B mixed with meaningful lyricism. 

Take a listen to The Foreign Exchange so you can be the envy of all your friends. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE LATEST FOREIGN EXCHANGE ALBUM