MellowHype “Loco” (2010) (dir. by J-Hurt)
Checking out my “Top 25 Most Played” list in iTunes yesterday, I was kind of surprised that Hodgy and Left Brain’s second release contributed four tracks to the playlist (“Brain,” “Loaded,” “Hell,” and this one, in case you were wondering).
Thinking back on it, though, I listened to BlackenedWhite routinely for a while after it dropped, often returning to those tracks despite wanting to continue exploring other music (sequencing ftw).
Yes, Tyler is the visionary and Earl displays the most verbal dexterity, but Hodgy Beats has the skills and presence to run point on the OFWGKTA musical assault. And Left Brain has some of the best range of any young producer in rap music currently — sometimes evoking Doomsday-era, er…DOOM, others the aggressiveness of Bricksquad, while also incorporating the minimalism and 808-heaviness of Pharrell and Chad — but always maintains a purposely D.I.Y. fidelity (the OF punk aesthetic, if you will).
Anyway, I stumbled across this video by J-Hurt for my favorite track from the record, and the grainy, unsettling imagery he chose to illustrate “Loco” is a perfect match. The tense, static hiss of Left Brain’s piano sample foreshadows the video’s violent climax, while the EQ-drenched high notes serve to enhance the absurdity of a gang of kids carelessly riding around town in Planet Of The Apes masks.
I’m pretty sure none of this makes any sense, but then again, I’m pretty sure that’s the point.
-SM
(via J-Hurt)
