Miss Info: 2012 was notable for the way we vicariously experienced the bleak numbness of Chicago’s GBE gang babies, and the way our idea of what guys can and can’t wear changed via Harlem’s ASAP dandies, and the reinvented sound of the Compton Boyz in the Hood…but in addition to those stories, there were others brewing, biding their time.
In 2013, those crews will make their move. Bodega Bamz and the Tan Boyz will add their chapter to the Nuyorican tradition of The Beatnuts and Terror Squad etc. And Phony Ppl, an eclectic crew of kids from Brooklyn, will convert fans by making instruments as vital to their act as lyrics. We’ve seen how fast image and a hook can blow up a “star,” but you gotta think that after the buzz, studying the craft is the only thing that will sustain you, right?
After seeing Phony Ppl perform as a collective, and getting raves from Plain Pat and Theophilus London etc, I can’t wait to see what they do next! The crew is already repped by agent Cara Lewis (Kanye West), and will be joining The Roots and Erykah Badu on tour this spring.

Check out Phony Ppl’s new video “Statues”, and stream their full album Nothing Special ….
And tell me what you think…
After the jump

Phony Ppl “Statues” video, directed by Sperry. Thank you to Matthew Trammell and our own Tanya TC for the premiere.

Stream the Phony Ppl album Nothing Special in full:

More about Phony Ppl:
Tanya: Phony Ppl, the 9-piece band from Brooklyn, has offered us the first visuals off their second EP Nothing Special. Entitled “Statues,” the docu-style music video follows the troupe from their Bed-Stuy recording studio to the stage of a sold-out venue, and includes all the clowning around and goonery in between.  The playful video is in bare contrast to the song, which houses a mellow beat accessorized with an understated jazzy arrangement.

With productions by Plain Pat, the band has been making noise for some time among the new NYC artists, but recently they’ve been tapped by The Roots and Erykah Badu to join them on the road. The phonies are scheduled to play at Club Nokia in L.A. tomorrow with a special performance by Ms. Erykah Badu.  Nothing Special dropped in mid-July this year and features a special cameo from fellow Brooklyn rapper Theophilus London.

Phonies join the “Winter Break Tour” with The Roots on Dec. 26. Official tour dates below:

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