If you haven’t heard Das Racist’s 2008 breakout hit, “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell,” you must be a health food nut. Das Racist is scheduled to get live with Holy Ghost!, Reporter and Rude Dudes Wednesday, April 13, at Branx.
The now infamous duo got their jump-off hype thanks in huge part to the Internet. With Holy Ghost!, Reporter and Rude Dudes joining in on the bill, this one is going to be a show that will cause even an epic party dude to tremble in fear of its awe. Get ready to dance yourself to near exhaustion with some of the most ripping awesome tunes of some phenomenal dance artists.
Das Racist is one of Brooklyn’s finest duos in the art-rap game today. Himanshu Suri (aka Heems) and Victor Vazquez (aka Kool A.D.) met during their tenure in the “Students of Color for Social Justice” dormitory at Wesleyan University in 2003. They describe their rap style as a “deconstructionalist,” inexplicably blowing apart the world of hip-hop while at the same time celebrating its infinite praise. Suri said in an interview, “We make dance music while talking about not-dancey things.” They even popped off with a few mix-tapes as free downloads on the Internet. With the hype of web-released “Shut Up, Dude” in 2010, it comes as no surprise that the follow up “Sit Down, Man,” also in 2010, garnered a recommendation from Rolling Stone for the single “Hahahaha JK?” as one of the 50 best singles of the year.
The “Sit Down, Man” mixtape is accentuated with guest appearances from some of the Big Apple’s wittiest and artsiest rappers. El-P, Vijay Iyer and Chairlift make some performance cameos while everyone from Diplo to Sabzi sits in on production.
Holy Ghost! has been on the block for more than a New York minute. Rising from the artsy hip-hop duo Automato, Nick Millhiser and Alex Frankel formed the group on a quest for pop-focused music. Fusing Italo disco, pop and electro styles into a sweet and sour dish of noises, the group earned widespread recognition when classic Internet electronic music blog Resident Advisor noted their 2007 single “Hold On” as one of the “dirtiest little Italo tunes you’re likely to hear this year.” Holy Ghost! is just one of the many great acts from DFA Records, sharing the label with such greats as LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture and Hot Chip.
Reporter is more than just a Portland phenomenon. The electronic rock and other times genre-defying trio formed in the wake of Wet Confetti’s unfortunate passing. An eclectic mix of synths, samplers, guitars and a live drummer give Reporter an amazing sound. An amalgam of minimal techno, dance-oriented rock and sheer power have driven the electronic pop trio to new heights of indie fame. Check out the 2010 release of “Time Incredible” for stellar tracks like the titular “Time Incredible” and the auspicious “Geronimo’s Bones.”
Rude Dudes is the DJ duo that everyone in Portland is always talking about. DJ Rad! and Solomon, DJ spin a varied subsonic platter of delights that appeal to the ear of any listener, dancer or incorrigible youth. While DJing at parties in the Pacific Northwest for the past three years, they’ve played with such greats as Kid Sister, Chromeo and Simian Mobile Disco. You will for sure hear an awesome mash of electro, house, dubstep and hip-hop tunes while they throw records down back to back as you wiggle from left to right.
Tickets are available for $15 through Brown Paper Tickets and at the door on the day of show. ?