Gangstagrass

Last updated
Gangstagrass
Gangstagrass at Thirsty Nickel.jpg
Gangstagrass on stage in March 2012
Background information
Origin Brooklyn, New York,
United States
Genres
LabelsRench Audio
Members
  • Rench: vocals/guitar/beats
  • Dan Whitener: banjo/vocals
  • Brian Farrow: fiddle/vocals
  • R-Son The Voice of Reason: vocals
  • Dolio The Sleuth: vocals

Gangstagrass is an American bluegrass and hip hop group, most known for the theme song of the FX television show Justified . The group is founded and led by Brooklyn producer Rench (Oscar Owens), and combines authentic bluegrass and rap into a new genre. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

History

Rudolstadt-Festival 2016 Gangstagrass Rudolstadt 25.jpg
Rudolstadt-Festival 2016

Initially formed in 2006, Gangstagrass started to see its music reaching a wide audience when the band's song "Long Hard Times to Come", was selected to be the opening theme song of the acclaimed [5] television show Justified on FX in early 2010. [6] On July 8, 2010, Gangstagrass producer Rench and rapper T.O.N.E.Z were nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for "Long Hard Times to Come." [7]

The Justified series is based on the work of writer Elmore Leonard, who was a fan [8] of Gangstagrass' music:

Rench and his friends have done nothing short of creating a new form of music. Gangstagrass takes two types of music that are opposites and mixes them together brilliantly in a way that is natural and enjoyable.

Elmore Leonard, [7]

Gangstagrass released the full-length album Lightning On The Strings, Thunder On The Mic featuring T.O.N.E-z in 2010, and another full-length album Rappalachia featuring various rappers in 2012. Broken Hearts and Stolen Money, the band's third full-length studio album, was released in 2014 and included a hidden track of Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Gangstagrass followed up the next year with American Music, which spent several weeks in the top 10 bluegrass albums on Billboard, marking the first time real hip-hop MCs reached the top 10 on the bluegrass chart. Gangstagrass released a live album in early 2019, Pocket Full of Fire, featuring songs recorded at various venues around the United States in 2018. This album also spent several weeks on the Billboard's top 10 bluegrass albums chart.

Gangstagrass on the set of America's Got Talent auditions in Pasadena, California, April 2021. Gangstagrass-AGT.jpg
Gangstagrass on the set of America's Got Talent auditions in Pasadena, California, April 2021.

On Sept 12, 2019, Gangstagrass performed at The Station Inn, the first time ever that hip-hop MCs performed at the legendary Nashville bluegrass venue. In a preview of that performance, Rolling Stone called Gangstagrass "a fresh, much-needed take on traditional roots music." [9]

The band's fifth studio album, No Time For Enemies, was released August 14, 2020, five months into the COVID-19 pandemic. [10] Only three of the songs on the album had been recorded in studio when the COVID-19 lockdowns forced everyone to stay home. The remaining eight songs on the album were recorded by each member of the band individually, sending their parts to Rench, who produced the album from these component parts. [11] The album quickly rose to #1 on the Billboard bluegrass chart, marking the first time in history that an album featuring hip-hop MCs held the top spot on the Billboard bluegrass chart. [12] In its review of the album, Americana Highways magazine declared that Gangstagrass "establishes themselves as America’s Band with No Time For Enemies". [13]

The lineup of Gangstagrass since 2018 has been Rench (vocals, guitar, beats), Dolio the Sleuth (MC, vocals), R-SON the Voice of Reason (MC), Dan "Danjo" Whitener (vocals, banjo), and B.E. Farrow (vocals, fiddle). [14] The MCs and bluegrass players involved in performances have changed from the first album, coordinated by Rench in his role as producer and main contributor.

In 2021, the band auditioned for a place on the 16th season of America's Got Talent and received four yeses from the judges—Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel—and an enthusiastic response from host Terry Crews on the way to becoming quarter-finalists. [15] [16] [17]

Gangstagrass's No Time For Enemies release tour was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with their full tour of live shows resuming in spring 2022. [18]

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Enemy</span> American hip hop group

Public Enemy is an American hip hop group formed by Chuck D and Flavor Flav on Long Island, New York, in 1985. The group rose to prominence for their political messages including subjects such as American racism and the American media. Their debut album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, was released in 1987 to critical acclaim, and their second album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988), was the first hip hop album to top The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll. Their next three albums, Fear of a Black Planet (1990), Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black (1991) and Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age (1994), were also well received. The group has since released twelve more studio albums, including the soundtrack to the 1998 sports-drama film He Got Game and a collaborative album with Paris, Rebirth of a Nation (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eve (rapper)</span> American rapper, singer, and actress (born 1978)

Eve Jihan Cooper is an American rapper, singer, and actress from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her debut studio album, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady (1999) peaked atop the Billboard 200, received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and spawned the hit singles "What Ya Want", "Love Is Blind", and "Gotta Man". That same year, she guest featured on the Roots' Grammy Award-winning single "You Got Me", as well as Missy Elliott's single "Hot Boyz", both of which peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.

The American state of Colorado has many music scenes and venues, especially in the larger cities like Denver and Colorado Springs.

<i>Critical Beatdown</i> 1988 studio album by Ultramagnetic MCs

Critical Beatdown is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Ultramagnetic MCs, released on October 4, 1988, by Next Plateau Records. Production for the album was handled primarily by the group's rapper and producer Ced-Gee, who employed an E-mu SP-1200 sampler as the album's main instrument. Music journalists have noted the album for its innovative production, funk-based samples, self-assertive themes, and clever lyrical rhymes by Ced-Gee and rapper Kool Keith.

The Lords of the Underground (L.O.T.U.G.) is an American hip-hop trio based in Newark, New Jersey. The group is composed of Dupré Kelly, Al'Terik Wardrick and Bruce A. Colston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darrell Scott</span> American musician and singer-songwriter

James Darrell Scott, known as Darrell Scott, is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The son of musician Wayne Scott, he moved as a child to East Gary, Indiana. He was playing professionally by his teens in Southern California. Later, Darrell moved to Toronto then Boston. He attended Tufts University, where he studied poetry and literature. He has lived in Nashville, Tennessee, since about 1995. He has written several mainstream country hits, and he has also established himself as one of Nashville's premier session instrumentalists.

¡Mayday! is an American hip hop group from Miami, Florida. The group comprises rappers Bernardo "Bernz" Garcia and Ben "Wrekonize" Miller, along with producer and percussionist Andrews "NonMS" Mujica. Until 2015, the group also included keyboard player and guitarist Aaron Eckhart, drummer Terrel, and bassist Gianni Perocapi. The band was formerly signed to Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin's Strange Music label. As of May 1, 2022, all future releases will be on their own label Mayday Music distributed by It Goes Up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know There's Something Going On</span> 1982 single by Frida

"I Know There's Something Going On" is a song recorded in 1982 by ABBA singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida). It was the lead single from her solo album Something's Going On.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royce da 5′9″ discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

The discography of American rapper Royce da 5’9” consists of 8 studio albums, 6 collaboration albums, 11 mixtapes and 30 solo singles, including 14 as a featured artist, and 18 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bun B discography</span>

The discography of Bun B, an American rapper, and one half of Southern hip hop group UGK, along with the late Pimp C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Infamous Stringdusters</span> American progressive acoustic/bluegrass band

The Infamous Stringdusters are a progressive acoustic/bluegrass band. The band first emerged in 2006 with the limited release of a five-song extended play CD The Infamous Stringdusters, followed in 2007 by their first album Fork in the Road. Both of these were on Sugar Hill Records. The band consists of Andy Hall (Dobro), Andy Falco (guitar), Chris Pandolfi (banjo), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), and Travis Book. The band has become known for a complex, distinctive, and groove-friendly sound along with a bluegrass theme.

The discography of N.O.R.E., consists of six studio albums, two compilation albums, five mixtapes and 28 singles.

<i>Smokie Norful Live</i> 2009 live album by Smokie Norful

Smokie Norful Live is a live album from Contemporary Gospel singer Smokie Norful. The album was released on April 7, 2009, through EMI Gospel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juicy J discography</span>

The discography of Juicy J, an American rapper, consists of six studio albums, 22 singles, two promotional singles and eighty music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judah & the Lion</span> American band

Judah & the Lion are an American folk band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2011. They have released four studio albums and five EPs. Currently the band consists of Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Adjusters</span> Musical artist

The Adjusters were an American ska, soul and reggae band from Chicago, Illinois, United States, active from 1995–2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Action Bronson discography</span>

The discography of Action Bronson, an American rapper from Flushing, Queens, New York, consists of seven studio albums, one collaborative album, three extended plays (EPs), four mixtapes and thirty-three singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run-DMC</span> American hip hop group

Run-DMC was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens New York City, formed in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and especially one of the most famous hip hop acts of the 1980s. Along with Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, and Public Enemy, the group pioneered new-school hip hop music and helped usher in the golden age of hip hop. The group was among the first to highlight the importance of the MC and DJ relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle discography</span> Pop-rap recording artist discography

The discography of Kyle, an American rapper and singer, consists of three studio albums, seven mixtapes and sixteen singles. In the early days of his career, he also released non-commercial mixtapes Senior Year (2010), Second Semester (2011), FxL (2011), Super Duper (2011) and K.i.D (2012) exclusively on Bandcamp under the moniker K.i.D.

<i>Pocket Full Of Fire: Gangstagrass Live</i> 2019 live album by Gangstagrass

Pocket Full of Fire: Gangstagrass Live features tracks recorded in six venues across the United States by New York City based bluegrass rap group Gangstagrass during their Pocket Full of Fire tour in 2018.

References

  1. Atkinson, Katie (June 29, 2021). "Gangstagrass Bring 'Hee-Haw Hip-Hop' to 'America's Got Talent'". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  2. "Gangstagrass, Justified, and Remapping My Musical Genome". Newsome.Org. 20 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  3. "Stoli Congrats Gangstagrass For Their 2010 Emmy Nom". Skopemag.com. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  4. "gangstagrass: News at the speed of bluegrass!". The Bluegrass Blog. Archived from the original on 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  5. Seidman, Robert. "'Justified' Scores Second-Highest Series Premiere Ever for FX". Tvbythenumbers.com. Archived from the original on 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  6. "Justified: Right in Tune – Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  7. 1 2 "EMMY NOMINATION FOR GANGSTAGRASS | Skope Entertainment Inc". Skopemag.com. 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  8. "The Elmore Leonard Website – Weblog". Elmoreleonard.com. 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  9. Moss, Jonathan Bernstein,Jon Freeman,Joseph Hudak,Marissa R.; Bernstein, Jonathan; Freeman, Jon; Hudak, Joseph; Moss, Marissa R. (2019-09-16). "AmericanaFest 2019: 25 Best Things We Saw". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-01-30.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. "Gangstagrass New Album "No Time For Enemies" Out Today". Grateful Web. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  11. "GANGSTAGRASS Opens Up About Their Soon-to-Be Released Album, No Time For Enemies, Their Timely Single 'Freedom' and Creating The Emmy-Nominated Theme Song for FX's Justified! | All Access Music". 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  12. "Bluegrass Hip-Hop Group Gangstagrass Re-Enters the Billboard Bluegrass Chart at #1". Music Connection Magazine. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  13. "REVIEW: Gangstagrass Establishes Themselves As America's Band With "No Time For Enemies" • Americana Highways". Americana Highways. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  14. "Gangstagrass". gangstagrass.com. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  15. Gangstagrass Gets A STANDING OVATION on America's Got Talent 2021 | Got Talent Global , retrieved 2022-01-30
  16. Early Release: Gangstagrass Performs Original Song, "Bound To Ride" - America's Got Talent 2021 , retrieved 2022-01-30
  17. America's Got Talent 2021 Gangstagrass Full Performance Auditions Week 5 S16E05 , retrieved 2022-01-30
  18. "A blend of Bluegrass and Hip-Hop: The group Gangstagrass comes to New Jersey". News 12 - Long Island. January 28, 2022. Retrieved 2022-01-30.

Further reading