There might be millions of musicians out there who write beats for Hip-Hop artists. But, at least as far as I know, there is only one Country Rap band, the Gangstagrass,  the bluegrass-hip-hop project of Brooklyn based producer Rench.

Country Rap

Gangstagrass had initially been formed in 2006. Early 2010 marked the first milestone when their song Long Hard Times to Come was selected as the opening theme song for the acclaimed TV show Justified. Much more, for the track producer Rench and rapper T.O.N.E.Z. were nominated for an Emmy in the category Outstanding Original MainTitle Theme Music.

Outstanding indeed! On the one hand, they play quite a traditional country and bluegrass. But they are mixing it with rap, a totally different if not opposing type of music, in such a brilliant and natural way, that they create a new genre: dirty fighting, gator wrestling, foot-stomping Country Rap.

Or, as the band claims on their Facebook profile: “There are only three bands that can tame a mountain lion just by playing. Gangstagrass is one of them. Gangstagrass is also the other two of them.”

New Single out

On February 8, Gangstagrass released their new single Nowhere To Go. Rooted in trip-hop, backwoods folk music, and rap, the song is offering the first taste of the new material Gangstagrass will be premiering on their spring tour. We present this hot tune in an exclusive, burning hot Soundposter:

Spring Tour Dates

March 9 – New York, NY @ Hill Country
March 10 – Teaneck, NJ @ Debonair Music Hall
March 14 – Washington D.C. @ Hill Country
March 15 – Columbus, OH @ Rumba Café
March 16 – Lexington, KY @ Willies Locally Known
March 17 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi
March 18 – Evanston, IL @ Space
March 20 – St. Louis, MO @ Atomic Cowboy
March 21 – Nashville, TN @ Basement East
March 22 – Newberry, SC @ Newberry Opera House
March 23 – Durham, NC @ Motorco
March 24 – Yadkinville, NC @ Willingham Theater
March 28 – Syracuse, NY @ Funk N Waffles
March 29 – Syracuse, NY @ Thunder Road
March 30 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Caffe Lena
March 31 – Geneseo, NY @ Geneseo Riviera
April 6 – Winchester, VA @ Sweet Nola’s
April 7 – Thomas, WV @ Purple Fiddle