The Presence were an underground rap duo from New York who espoused a political world-view. Influenced by East Coast rap legends such as Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy, Gang Starr, and Nas as well as contemporary alternative rappers such as El-P, Beans, Aesop Rock, and Rob Sonic, the duo was comprised of Nasa (MC/producer) and Cirrus (MC), who became best friends while attending high school together in Staten Island. Formed in 1999, The Presence made their recording debut in 2001 with the five-track EP Advanced Bloodbath, followed by the 12" single Woke in 2003 (Released on EL-P's Definitive Jux). The duo founded its own label, Uncommon Records, in 2004 and released the Members Only EP that same year. The full-length album debut of The Presence, Common Man's Anthems (2005), followed, along with the one-off single Who Stole New Orleans? (2006). In 2008 The Presence announced that they were expanding their membership to include Shortrock (turntables) and DM Seidel (electric guitar, bass, synthesizer); in addition, they announced a reissue of Advanced Bloodbath (with bonus materials and a remastering) on Uncommon Records and plans for a new full-length album, tentatively titled We Want the Winter, later in the year (the album was not completed when the group disbanded in 2010) ~ Jason Birchmeier (updated by the artists)