Album Review

Doomtree – Bangarang

• 27th May 2012

Hip hop collective Doomtree made the trip from Minnesota to Europe this month to tour, including playing several shows as main support for Yelawolf. Their new single Bangarang is being released as a free download to coincide with dates over here and it comes with b-side Fresh New Trash.

Bangarang is taken from the No Kings album, released at the end of 2011, and is a typically upbeat, fast paced and energetic rap track. It also has the heavy backing and clear punk influences that are common in the group’s music.

“Bangarang” is a Jamaican expression meaning uproar or disturbance. The lyrics reflect the history of its members, referring to “ten years in our lane” and their musical partnership: “Can’t live without by now, that’s why we shout so loud”.

But there has often been criticism of the group, and they tackle this head on: “They hate, they petty, they say we too heady, too heavy, too many, too much punk”. But do these boys care? Not at all. “I built more than a rap career, I got my family here”, they tell us defiantly. And that’s what rap is all about.

The seven members of Doomtree (P.O.S, Dessa, Sims, Cecil Otter, Mike Mictlan, Lazerbeak, Paper Tiger) have all built solo careers as rappers, producers, or DJs. They seem to have a great deal of fun making music together – as you will see from the video for this single, which we have previously featured here on Glassswerk.