MEAWW's Basement Tapes: From Snotty Nose Rez Kids to PHNTMS, the artists making bold statements
For this week's Basement Tapes, we're looking at some amazing artists who are challenging the status quo and helping redefine music and make the industry a more inclusive space, one song at a time.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids (SNRK) - 'TMZ'
Indigenous hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids (SNRK) recently premiered the video for their song 'TMZ'. Featured on their new EP 'Born Deadly', the song is SNRK's response to the invasiveness of the media as well as the reactive nature of social media.
The video sees Yung Trybez and Young D being blinded by flashing cameras and bombarded by scathing comments online. The song itself also highlights the resilience the duo has had to learn in the face of such intense criticism and scrutiny, in addition to learning to be who they are without fear. Speaking of crafting their own path the duo state, "We've learned that we have to stay in the lane we've created for ourselves, shut out the hate, and keep doing what we know is working."
But their strength is deeply rooted in the community and culture they come from. The two are Haisla rappers from Canada's First Nations and have spent the bulk of their career speaking about the struggles of indigenous folk, especially environmental issues that directly affect these groups, and being staunchly opposed to colonization. Their 2018 song 'The Warriors' openly protested the Trans Mountain Pipeline. And on top of it all, the duo are committed to subverting stereotypes while also preserving their own cultural traditions.
In fact, their album 'Born Deadly' is based on the idea of 'acting deadly', a phrase that is considered a positive affirmation in their community. And it is one that is filled with themes of self-love, community, activism, as well as critiques of the media.
Stream 'Born Deadly' HERE. Check out the video for 'TMZ' below.
Raye Zaragoza - 'Fight Like a Girl'
A feminist anthem at its core, 'Fight Like a Girl' shatters the idea of what a woman can and cannot do. But it isn't in any way a tired take on an age-old saying. On the contrary, it is a song that moves past that and opts for a totally intersectional and inclusive approach, which is at the core of modern feminism.
Speaking about the meaning of the song Zaragoza (pronounced ray zay-rah-GO-zah) shares, "It's about how 'fighting like a girl' means something different to every female-identifying person out there. It is about the resilience of women of color, and all women. It is time for feminism to include all women - Indigenous, Immigrant, Trans, and all those marginalized for their identities. This is the time for intersectional feminism and the youth will lead the way!"
Zaragoza has already been at the forefront of forging that path, speaking at major events like Bonnaroo and SXSW on topics ranging from preventing sexual violence to engaging her fanbase as an independent artist. Her song 'In the River' was written in response to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota.
Writing about social issues, however, comes rather naturally to Zaragoza. "As a woman of color in America, social issues are things you deal with and see every day of your life," she states, adding, "I write about my experience and oftentimes my existence has been laced with injustice."
Her sophomore LP will release later in 2020. About the record, Zaragoza says, "This album is about finding yourself and finding your voice. It’s about maturing and realizing that you can make a difference if you so choose." If it's anything like her 2017 debut album 'Fight For You' which displayed her dedication to justice and equality for all, then it's sure to be an absolute treat.
Listen to 'Fight Like a Girl' HERE.
PHNTMS - 'Back Burner'
Philadelphia-based band PHNTMS has a sound that's something in the middle of arena rock and 60's soul. Their single 'Back Burner' tends more towards the former and features some gorgeous vocals and gritty guitars.
Half of PHNTMS identify as queer, and by extension, a big part of their message is solidarity and support towards the LGBTQA+ communities. Drummer Gene Murphy confides, "We openly talk about lesbian relationships in our music and we want to bring hope to anyone who is in the closet and doesn’t feel safe coming out. Whether you are out as queer or not, your identity is valid and our music helps you escape heteronormativity for a brief moment."
PHNTMS musical influences range from movie soundtracks to bands like U2, Biffy Clyro, Kings of Leon, and Deaf Havana, to powerhouse soul singers such as Amy Winehouse, and you can clearly hear these sounds echo throughout their work. But in addition to these artists, the band also draws inspiration from everyday situations, relationships, and growing up, and to that end, they create music that listeners can easily identify with.
Their song 'Back Burner' is a song all about rocky relationships, bad timing, and not being ready to move forward. Gambino shares, "I’ve always kept a safe distance when having feelings for someone new and the 'flame' represents just that. For me, being placed on the back burner is a lingering reminder that I will be here waiting."
Tash Sultana - 'Pretty Lady'
Tash Sultana is a gender-fluid non-binary artist from Australia who has made waves throughout the music industry and created tracks like 'Notion' that are so raw and emotionally-charged they've managed to reach audiences of all kinds. Often referred to as a 'one-person band', the self-taught artist is known for being able to play ten different instruments in addition to beatboxing and singing, often doing a combination of them all in their performances. Sultana found fame after a few of their homemade videos went viral - which took them from making music out of their bedroom to selling out arenas globally.
But with their latest single 'Pretty Lady', Sultana took a slightly different route. "I wanted to write something that was easy for people to capture the melody and remember it, and sing it," Sultana stated, adding "Especially for a lot of my fans who don’t speak English – might be their second or third language – they find some of the lyrics in my songs a little bit hard to understand… It’s an easy song, I would hope that a lot of people learn this song and cover it because that would be cool."
In addition to being subtly inclusive, the wonderfully wholesome video features clips of Sultana's friends, family, and fans from all over the world in respective isolation coming together to bring a bit of positivity and cheer into all our lives. The clips were gathered after Sultana initiated the #PrettyLadyChallenge on social media. Sultana also performed live on YouTube as part of their #Stayhome series to coincide with the single's release.
'MEAWW's Basement Tapes' is a weekly column that shines a spotlight on undiscovered/underrated musical gems.