Trailblazers in a genre of their own design, Gangstagrass delivers “Mother” (featuring Reef the Lost Cauze), the impactful fifth single from their forthcoming album, The Blackest Thing on the Menu. The official music video for "Mother" is also out now. Released via Rench Audio, this 10-track album is set to drop on Friday, June 14th, and showcases Gangstagrass's signature fusion of bluegrass and hip-hop, exploring the foundational elements of both genres with zest and flavor.
Stream “Mother” HERE. Pre-order The Blackest Thing on the Menu HERE.
Royalties from “Mother” will benefit Friends of the Congo (FOTC), a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization established in 2004 to partner with Congolese citizens to bring about peaceful and lasting change in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Facing human rights abuses, humanitarian crises, forced labor, and ecological devastation, Friends of the Congo addresses these enormous challenges. Fans are encouraged to stream the track and use the song in their videos on TikTok and Instagram to contribute to the relief efforts.
Highlighted in The Bluegrass Situation, “Mother” features a smooth beat paired with poetic lyrics that address serious global issues. Speaking on the inspiration for the track, MC and vocalist Dolio the Sleuth explains, “It started as a poem I wrote one day on tour in the north of France. I was sitting under a tree thinking about the world, our place in it, and the changes we need to ensure humanity's survival. My family has a long history of military service, so there's always concern about why our country is involved in aggression while committing violence against its own citizens. I shared it with the crew, and Rench created a haunting piece.”
Producer, founder, and vocalist Rench adds, “It was a great stretch of our musical muscles to dissect banjo notes and fiddles into something with such a spacious sound. Unexpectedly, we got fast rolls in a whirlwind jam. Influences of hip-hop and bluegrass can be fused in a million ways, and we approached this one differently.”
Watch the “Mother” music video HERE.
Gangstagrass has been praised in leading publications like The New York Times, Forbes, Rolling Stone, NPR, Vice, HipHopDX, and The Wall Street Journal. With over a decade of breaking barriers and global touring, this rebellious collective continues to craft an innovative sound rooted in historically significant heritage.
The conception of the album’s title, The Blackest Thing on the Menu, came about last year during dinner at a blues-themed restaurant. The title acquired new significance in the conversation about race and country music, highlighting the Black influence on these genres.
Glide Magazine praised the album’s fourth single, “Obligatory Braggadocio,” while the third single, “Up High Do or Die,” cleverly incorporates elements from “Jerusalem Ridge.” The sophomore single, “Good at Being Bad,” was co-produced by the GRAMMY-Award-winning Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell. The lead single, “The Only Way Out Is Through,” features Jerry Douglas and debuted on Bluegrass Today.
The Blackest Thing on the Menu Track Listing:
- The Only Way Out Is Through
- Good at Being Bad
- Up High Do or Die
- Gone Gone
- Mother
- Obligatory Braggadocio
- Avenue Boy
- Palette
- It’s Alive
- Sankofa
The album release party will be at Pearl Street Warehouse in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, June 11th. Gangstagrass will headline three major international festivals this summer: Montelago Celtic Festival in Italy on August 2, Philadelphia Folk Festival on August 16, and the UK’s Shrewsbury Folk Festival on August 23.
For a complete list of upcoming shows, visit Gangstagrass's website.
Gangstagrass emphasizes education through workshops for K-12, college students, and adults. Fans can text the band at (+1) 504-224-7700 to share their thoughts or just say hi.
About Gangstagrass:
Conceived 15 years ago by Brooklyn-based producer Rench, Gangstagrass blends traditional sounds with contemporary hip-hop beats. The band features Rench, R-SON the Voice of Reason (MC), Dolio the Sleuth (MC, Vocals), Ricky “Banjo Daddy” Mier (Banjo, Vocals), Dan Whitener (Banjo, Dobro, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals), and B.E. Farrow (Fiddle, Vocals). Gangstagrass's unique synergy has led to worldwide success, a Billboard Bluegrass Chart #1 spot, and a UNESCO “International Innovator” award. Their theme song for FX's Justified earned a 2010 Primetime Emmy nomination. Gangstagrass also appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2021, reaching the quarter-finals.
