The Bangerz

Last updated • 6 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
The Bangerz
The Bangerz, 2013.jpg
Background information
Origin San Jose, California [1]
Genres Hip hop, R&B, electronica
Years active1998 (1998)–present
LabelsJBWKZ Records [2]
MembersNick Ngo Bangerz
Goldenchyld
Cutso
Squareweezy
Replay
G-Wrex
Website TheBangerz.com

The Bangerz are a six-member production and DJ group originating in San Jose, California, and now based in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area. They have released three studio albums, two of which are the official scores for live stage shows by the group Jabbawockeez, who were named MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew Champions in 2008.

Contents

The Bangerz have collaborated with groups as diverse as San Jose Taiko, a Japanese drumming ensemble, and have toured with groups such as Afrika Bambaataa, Clipse, ?uestlove (of The Roots), Raekwon, Ghostface, Carlos Mencia and DJ Z-Trip. [3]

History

Founding

The Bangerz were founded as a six-person production and DJ supergroup in San Jose, California. All the members, including Goldenchyld, Replay, Nick Ngo, Cutso, Squareweezy, and G-Wrex, [2] [4] had attended Silver Creek High School together. [5]

All six members had previously been parts of different DJ collectives. [1] DJ Cutso, for example, had started mixing after learning from his uncle at eight years old, and based a lot of his early music on Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, OMD, and Pet Shop Boys. [6] According to Cutso, "Growing up in San Jose, there was a strong presence of mobile DJs, dance groups and mix-shows on the radio. So growing up in that environment really struck a nerve with me, and I decided to get a little more serious about it when my friends started taking an interest in it." [6]

On October 24, 1998, Cutso invited a number of DJ friends to his 17th birthday party. [1] According to Cutso, "We had a bit of an impromptu showcase that night. We jammed in front of the whole party and everyone was super juiced on it. That following Monday at school, we assembled what would eventually become the Fingerbangerz Crew." [4] [6]

Battling

Backstage picture of the Bangerz with members of Jabbawockeez. Both groups collaborated in the San Jose party scene as early as 2003. JabbaBangerz.jpg
Backstage picture of the Bangerz with members of Jabbawockeez. Both groups collaborated in the San Jose party scene as early as 2003.

The Fingerbangerz originally formed "for the sake of battling," [1] and later began to DJ parties. [1] As the only 6-person DJ and production team to make and perform music, [7] they were the first DJ group to utilize a 12-turntable team routine [4] [7] in 1999. [8]

They've stated, "we entered every local record store, high school and car show battle under that name. Our plan was to just dominate the battle scene, and that’s exactly what we did." [6] The Bangerz were named the 2001 DMC Regional Champions and 2000 International Turntablist Federation Western Hemisphere Team Champions, also winning the Red Bull 3-Style Bay Area DJ Competition. [4]

The group came out with a mixtape called Robot Remains, which debuted at #7 on the electronic charts on iTunes. [1] After releasing several mixtapes and winning various DJ battles, they started "producing our own brand of scratch-infused experimental music." [5] After 2003, [9] the "finger" aspect of the name was dropped to make the group more accessible to a younger crowd. [1]

VI-R-US (2003)

The group released their first album, VI-R-US, in 2003. [5] Released independently, it widened their fanbase as far as Japan and brought them more fully to the attention of Jabbawockeez, a hip-hop dance crew [3] who had started dancing to Bangerz tracks in 2003. [8] According to Cutso, "We grew up with one of the Jabbawockeez’ former members, Wish One. They were forming the Jabbawockeez around the same time we released our first album, VI.R.US, in 2003. He showed it to them, and they used it for some of their routines. They built their signature style around all of the chaos and intricacies of our music." [6]

Their official connection with the dance group started around 2007, when they were about to be named MTV’s America's Best Dance Crew (season 1) Champions,. [6] [8] The Jabbawockeez commissioned the Bangerz to create all their original music, and after winning ABDC, they began collaborating on a Vegas dance show. [2]

MÜS.I.C. (2008)

The Jabbawockeez performing to Bangerz music in 2008 JabbawockeezByPhilKonstantin.JPG
The Jabbawockeez performing to Bangerz music in 2008

On March 1st, 2011 [10] the Bangerz released the LP Müs.I.C. [5] It charted directly behind Daft Punk’s Tron on iTunes upon its release. [8] The first single from the 14 tracks, "Robot Remains," had climbed to the number seven electronic song on iTunes after its release in October 2010. [8]

The tracks had been used as a live soundtrack for over a year by the JabbaWockeez at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, [6] [7] and the overall album was three years in the making. [8]

PRiSM (2013)

After MÜS.I.C., the Bangerz began collaborating on the new stage show PRiSM with the Jabbawockeez in Las Vegas. It became the third largest show in the city, only behind the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil. [11] The score to the show, also titled PRiSM, was released as an LP on June 25, 2013. The single from the album, "Beam," premiered several weeks earlier. [12]

Collaborations

DJ Squareweezy of The Bangerz DJing live in 2010 FAME FW2010 Alex Bauzon.jpg
DJ Squareweezy of The Bangerz DJing live in 2010

As of 2011, everyone in the crew are full-time musicians and DJs. [4] Group member Replay, for example, has produced tracks for Diplo, Kelis and Chris Brown [2] on his single "Look At Me Now." [12] Their music has appeared in advertisements for McDonald's, Sprint, The Sims, The Simpsons Game, [5] the 2009 NBA All Star Game, [5] America's Best Dance Crew (season 1) , and Pepsi. [8] As of June 2013, their music was being featured in two Microsoft commercials. [12] [13] The Bangerz have toured with and opened for artists such as Afrika Bambaataa, The Clipse, ?uestlove (of The Roots), Raekwon, Ghostface, Kid Koala, The Rapture, and Little Dragon, [12] also touring with Carlos Mencia and DJ Z-Trip both nationally and internationally. [3] The New OrleansVoodoo Fest was their first festival, [4] and they also performed at the first Fader Fest. [4]

They've also worked with artists out of San Jose like rappers Rey Resurreccion and Don Prahfit, as well as American born, Japan based rapper Paulie Rhyme. [5] In early 2013 the group was solicited by the director of the film Project X to produce a track for their party soundtrack. [12] The Bangerz held a collaborative show at the Montgomery Theater on June 15, 2013 with the Japanese-American drumming group San Jose Taiko, after first performing with them at the 2010 SubZERO festival. [14] Kumi daiko, a new style that evolved to include American and Japanese drumming techniques and genres, originated in San Francisco in 1968. Started in 1973, San Jose Taiko is the third-oldest American taiko group. [14]

Style

"When producing, the big-picture challenge is to tell a story and keep people excited. When DJing, we play hip-hop classics, pop favorites, RnB electro, trap, and all sorts of stuff but we keep it fresh and surprising.”

The Bangerz [2]

About their method, "It's a lot of experimenting," says Bello, "We record everything, and then if something cool comes from it, we'll expand on it and make it a song." [15] According to the group, "Nick Ngo loves aggressive sounds, bringing harder, meaner sounds and throwing in production tricks and off-kilter sounds. Cutso’s crates go deeper and weirder; he’s a master of beat-juggling and unexpected flips. Goldenchyld‘s vision harmonizes the group’s sound with futuristic ideas. Squareweezy is an experimentalist and a showman, heavy into where hip-hop and electronica meet and takes notes from genre figureheads like J Dilla and FlyLo. G-Wrex makes sure the music has depth, his love of RnB and soul automatically serves him in grounding the group. And Replay [brings] a glossy pop sheen to every track. [2]

Starting around 2009, the group have done most of their performing on Serato and Ableton, with much of their production work on Ableton. Squareweezy uses an Akai MPC (an MPC2000XL) and the Roland SP-404 in live shows. They also use Native Instruments products. [4]

Members

Current

Discography

Studio albums
Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daft Punk</span> French electronic music duo (1993–2021)

Daft Punk was a French electronic music duo formed in 1993 in Paris by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo. They achieved early popularity in the late 1990s as part of the French house movement, combining elements of house music with funk, disco, techno, rock and synth-pop. They are regarded as one of the most influential acts in dance music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Crystal Method</span> American electronic music duo

The Crystal Method is an American electronic music act formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, by Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland in 1993. They were pioneers of the big beat genre and their music has appeared in numerous TV shows, films, video games, and advertisements. Their 1997 debut studio album Vegas was certified platinum in 2007, and saw follow-ups Tweekend, Legion of Boom, Divided by Night, and The Crystal Method.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three 6 Mafia</span> American hip-hop group

Three 6 Mafia is an American hip hop group from Memphis, Tennessee, formed in 1991. Emerging as a horror-themed underground hip hop group, they went on to enjoy mainstream success. The group's 1995 debut album Mystic Stylez became an influential cult classic. They have released music on independent labels such as Prophet Entertainment and their own Hypnotize Minds label, as well as Relativity, Loud, and Columbia Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Park MGM</span> Casino hotel resort in Las Vegas

Park MGM, formerly Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, is a megaresort hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It is owned by Vici Properties and operated by MGM Resorts International. It was developed by Mirage Resorts and Circus Circus Enterprises, both later acquired by MGM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Technologic</span> 2005 song by Daft Punk

"Technologic" is a song by French duo Daft Punk from their third studio album, Human After All (2005). It was released as the second single on 14 June 2005. The music video for "Technologic" was directed by Daft Punk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avenue D (band)</span> Former American electroclash band

Avenue D was an American electroclash duo from Miami, Florida. Based in New York City, the duo consisted of Debbie D. and Daphne D.. They were protégés of Larry Tee, and performed for his parties. Their music is an energetic, humorous and sexually explicit mix of hip hop, electro, and new wave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip-hop dance</span> Street dance styles primarily performed to hip hop

Hip hop dance is a range of street dance styles primarily performed to hip hop music or that have evolved as part of hip hop culture. It is influenced by a wide range of styles that were created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews in the United States. The television show Soul Train and the 1980s films Breakin', Beat Street, and Wild Style showcased these crews and dance styles in their early stages; therefore, giving hip-hop dance mainstream exposure.

The Scumfrog is a Dutch-American DJ/remixer/producer/artist, mostly known for his underground flavored remixes of artists like Kylie Minogue, Missy Elliott, New Order, and Annie Lennox and his collaborations writing and producing techno-oriented works with David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, and Sting. He released four albums as a solo artist. As a DJ, he has toured the world many times over, between 2008 and 2014 he hosted and produced the weekly radio show/podcast Glam Scum International, and in 2015 he launched a new series of club nights named M.B.T.S.(Most Below The Surface).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabriel & Dresden</span> American music duo formed 2001

Gabriel & Dresden is an American electronic music duo comprising Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden, formed in San Francisco, California. They collaborated from 2001 to 2008, then again from 2011 to the present. During that time, they have created numerous hit songs and remixes, some of which are considered classics. They won the coveted Winter Music Conference IDMA award for "Best American DJ" twice, in 2007 and 2008, the latter time on the same day that the group split up. The pair reunited in early 2011 and proceeded on a reunion tour, which began at Ruby Skye in San Francisco on March 4, 2011. They produced three studio albums together: self-titled album (2006), The Only Road (2017) which was released after an 11-year hiatus period, and Remedy (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabbawockeez</span> Filipino hip-hop dance crew

The Jabbawockeez is an American hip-hop dance crew that rose to prominence as the winner of the first season of America's Best Dance Crew in 2008. The group was established in 2003 in San Diego, California by dancers Kevin "KB" Brewer and Joe Larot. They participated in dance competitions with the idea of striking a balance between dancing to the music, and dancing as an artistic expression.

Super Cr3w is a breakdance crew from Las Vegas, Nevada who won the second season of America's Best Dance Crew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fanny Pak</span> American dance crew

Fanny Pak is a ten-member contemporary, hip-hop and jazz-trained dance crew from Los Angeles, California that gained popularity after appearing on the second season of MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (ABDC). Often while performing, the crew wears bright clothes and bold patterns reminiscent of the 1980s as well as fanny packs, which is where their crew name originated. In addition, all of the members were born in the 1980s. The crew returned to ABDC on the seventh season, placing fifth in the competition.

Poreotics, also known as Poreotix, is an American all-male dance crew from Westminster, California. The crew was formed in 2007 by Matthew "Dumbo" Nguyen and specializes in popping, choreography and robotics, hence the name Po-reo-tics. They have performed in numerous hip hop dance competitions, most notably coming in 1st place in the USA division of the 2009 and 2010 Hip-Hop Internationals and in other dance programs and competitions including the Vibe 15, FUSION X, Body Rock, and World Of Dance. On April 8, 2010, they were crowned the champions on the fifth season of America's Best Dance Crew. On January 14, 2011, they were crowned as Team of the Year at the World of Dance awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of hip-hop dance</span> Aspect of the history of dance

The history of hip-hop dances encompasses the people and events since the late 1960s that have contributed to the development of early hip-hop dance styles, such as uprock, breaking, locking, roboting, boogaloo, and popping. African Americans created uprock and breaking in New York City. African Americans in California created locking, roboting, boogaloo, and popping—collectively referred to as the funk styles. All of these dance styles are different stylistically. They share common ground in their street origins and in their improvisational nature of hip hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo</span> American married choreographers

Tabitha A. D'umo and Napoleon Buddy D'umo, known together as Nappytabs, are Emmy Award-winning married choreographers. They are best known for their choreography on the television show So You Think You Can Dance and for being supervising choreographers and executive producers of America's Best Dance Crew. Since being with the former, their choreography has received both praise and criticism. They own Nappytabs urban dancewear and have been working in the dance industry since 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike</span> Belgian DJ duo

Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike are a Belgian–Greek DJ duo composed of brothers Dimitri Thivaios and Michael Thivaios. They were ranked No. 1 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list in 2015 and 2019, and No. 2 in 2014, 2016 through 2018, 2020 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangerz Tour</span> 2014 concert tour by Miley Cyrus

The Bangerz Tour was the fourth concert tour by American singer Miley Cyrus. It was held in support of her fourth studio album, Bangerz (2013). The tour visited the Americas, Europe, and Oceania through five legs. It spanned from February 14 to October 23, 2014. Cyrus performed all songs from the album excluding "Hands in the Air", among covers of songs by other artists. Cyrus' allergic reaction along with logistical issues led to three cancellations in the tour's scheduled dates. A show in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic was banned by the government citing moral grounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Ü</span> American DJ duo

Jack Ü was an American electronic dance music duo consisting of electronic music producers Skrillex and Diplo, formed in 2013. They released their first official single, "Take Ü There", featuring vocals from Kiesza, on October 4, 2014. They released their first and only album, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü, on February 27, 2015.

<i>The Light</i> (BGYO album) BGYOs debut studio album

The Light is the debut studio album of Filipino boy band BGYO. It was released by Star Music on 7 October 2021. The album contains twelve tracks, with "When I'm With You" as its key single, four new tracks "Kundiman," "Fly Away," "Sabay," and "Rocketman", which BGYO co-written, four versions of the band's debut single in Bahasa, Japanese, Spanish and Thai, along with the group's signature hits The Light, He's Into Her and The Baddest. The album's lyrical content transcends the spirit of resilience, empathy, and love.

San Jose Taiko, founded in 1973, joined San Francisco Taiko Dojo and Kinnara Taiko as only the third Kumi-daiko, or ensemble taiko group, in North America. Initially a youth program at the San Jose Betsuin, a member of the Buddhist Churches of America, the group has evolved into a leading arts group not only in the Japanese American community but also in Asian American arts while maintaining unwavering allegiance to Japantown, San Jose.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rosemary (October 1, 2010). "8Asians Interviews The Bangerz on their New Single, "Robot Remains"". 8Asians. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "About". The Bangerz Official Facebook. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Bangerz". Sol Republic . Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Petrillo, Rob (November 11, 2011). "MixJunkies Exclusive Interview With The Bangerz". MixJunkies. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Becker, Daniel Levin (March 22, 2011). "The Bangerz, Workhorse Bay Area Rap Producers, Discuss Their Vegas Show, Chris Brown, and Carlos Mencia". San Francisco Weekly . Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "A Moment With A Banger, DJ Cutso". Assemble Magazine. August 3, 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  7. 1 2 3 Cook, Chantal (March 22, 2011). "Interview with DJ Cutso from The Bangerz". The Celebrity Cafe. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Bangerz and Jabbawockeez Create MÜS.I.C." Audrey Magazine . March 4, 2011. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  9. Inoue, Todd (October 2003). "Five Fingers of Depth". MetroActive . Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  10. "Jabbawockeez + Bangerz + RxBx = MÜS.I.C. Album available March 1st". Brian Lee White. February 28, 2011. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  11. "The Bangerz". Audible Treats. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "MP3: The Bangerz – "Beam" Six-Man DJ & Producer Team Release First High Energy Single From Upcoming PRiSM LP, Out June 25". Audible Treats. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  13. "Surface Pro Commercial "The Vibe"". AdWeek . Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  14. 1 2 Latyon, Stephen (June 11, 2013). "San Jose Taiko and the Bangerz Join Forces for Weekend Show". MetroActive . Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  15. Palopoli, Steve (April 21, 2011). "The Bangerz". MetroActive . Retrieved 2013-03-12.