In recent times, we at Whiteboard have noticed an increase of crossovers between indie-rock and hip-hop. From Lana Del Rey’s mixtape collaboration with A$AP Rock to Pete Doherty’s plans to write and create a hip-hop album, it seems that artists are intent on living out their rap dreams. On the surface, these seem to be pretty gruelling ideas, but elements of urban music are found within the indie stratosphere, much more than you would perhaps think.
The next to take a journey into the world of hip-hop is Bon Iver frontman, Justin Vernon. The beardy-mountain man with the ghostly falsetto has formed a musical alliance with the rapper Astronautilis, leading to the formation of a hip-hop inspired band. The pair have already recorded an entire album together, but it will remain under lock and key for now. The work is said to include up to eight hours worth of free-styling, something that does not immediately come to mind when you think of the ethereal Bon Iver.
In fairness, the idea seems pretty exciting. As always in projects like this, there is an element of risk. If it all goes well, you manage to appease both existing fans and create more from another genre. However, if Vernon trying his hand at free-styling ends up a bit of a vocal mess, it could drive away fans. But who knows? We will wait with baited breath until we get our grubby hands on it.
The record will be released on Chigliak Records, Vernon’s own label, when the time is right. Let’s hope it’s worth the wait. We can’t promise that it’ll be wonderful, but we can at least promise that it’ll be very different.
Jonathan Hatchman
No comments:
Post a Comment