If you went to the Long Road Festival last year, you might feel as in love with Gangstagrass as we did. Well, they return to the UK this week and get ready to witness a musical fusion like no other as the band prepare to headline Oslo’s Hackney and perform at the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival in the UK this summer. Combining the unlikely duo of gangsta rap and bluegrass, Gangstagrass breaks down barriers and brings people of all backgrounds together to enjoy a unique and captivating pot of gumbo.
Imagine Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg walking through the set of Coon Brother’s ‘O Brother Where Art You’ and realizing that the two different voices fit like eggs on toast. It is a revolutionary clash of two subgenres that historically depict and represent the political unrest between black and white America. However, in the genius of Gangstagrass, these once controversial styles are now unified, transcending political, racial, generational, socioeconomic, and demographic divides.
For over a decade, Gangstagrass has been breaking boundaries as a genre-busting world tour group. They achieved impressive feats, spending weeks on Billboard’s Top 10 Bluegrass chart — the first time a true hip-hop MC had earned a spot there. Their achievements include an Emmy nomination and a UNESCO International Innovation Award. In addition, they have conducted workshops for K-12 schools, colleges and national conferences, been featured on PBS and covered by respected publications such as Forbes, Vice, Rolling Stone and NPR.
Gangstagrass’ unique appeal lies in its ability to bring together audiences of all political affiliations, races and ethnicities, ages and walks of life. Conservative and liberal, libertarian and socialist, all united in a common love for this one-of-a-kind musical experience. Music is a testament to its power to create harmony and unity, something that is often overlooked in today’s world.
The band’s discography contains six full-length albums, featuring collaborations with notable artists such as Nitty Scott MC, Did Prez, DeMeanor, Kaya Kathar and the popular rap group Smif-N-Wessun, among others. At the helm of this incredible fusion is Wrench, the Brooklyn-based country and hip-hop producer behind TONE-z’s instantly popular ‘Long Hard Times To Come,’ which served as the theme song to the FX show ‘Justified,’ and which earned Gangstagrass an Emmy nomination in 2010.
Gangstagrass’ live shows are nothing short of mesmerizing, taking full advantage of the nuances and virtues of hip-hop and bluegrass. MCs Dolio the Sleuth and R-SON the Voice of Reason deliver powerful verses and freestyles alongside the talents of vocalists Dan Weiner on banjo, BE Farrow on fiddle, and Rench on guitar and beats.
This summer, the UK will have the chance to experience the magic of Gangstagrass live in Oslo, Hackney and the famous Cambridge Folk Festival. Plus, they’ll be raising the bar on unmissable shows at the Huntingdon Hall in Worcester and the Mechanics Hall in Marsden. Alongside the tour, UK fans will also have the chance to get their hands on Gangstagrass’ new single ‘Up High Do or Die’ just by downloading a QR code.
Gangstagrass’ 2020 album ‘No Time For Haters’ quickly climbed the Billboard Bluegrass charts upon its release. The band is currently hard at work on their next album, and an additional 2023 tour dates in the US and Europe are on the horizon.
So mark your calendars and prepare to be dazzled by Gangstagrass’ genre-defying brilliance on their 2023 UK tour, showcasing their undeniable talent and passion for music:
Visiting Dates:
- July 26 – Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
- July 27 – Oslo Hackney, London
- July 28 – Marsden Mechanics, Marsden
- 29 July – Cambridge Folk Festival 2023, Cambridge
- July 30 – WOMAD Festival, Wiltshire
Don’t miss this extraordinary musical experience that breaks boundaries and brings together people from all walks of life. Gangstagrass is set to captivate audiences and has to be seen and heard to be believed!
