The word "Brooklyn" has become a loaded term nowadays, especially for those living in New York. Mentioning Kings County immediately calls forth images of Spike Lee films, Block Parties, Notorious B.I.G. lines and incredible, sometimes uncalled for, pride; however, recently reality has drastically shifted from the nostalgic dreams, with the rapid of influx transplants attracted to the perceived culture. Hip hop and BK usually go hand-and-hand— at one time it was so integral to genre that fans and artists nicknamed it "The Planet"—although, save for Joey Bada$$ and Beast Coast, there really hasn't been an artist to break out and capture the city's essences. Wati Heru and Kashaka are looking to change that with their genre bending debut EP, Dystopia FM.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m-1Wq4Rgb8[/youtube]
If you judge this dynamic duo only off of "BKWYA", you would probably come to the conclusion that Wati and Kashaka are two more extra rappity Brooklyn jabber jaws;especially since the video seems to do everything in its power to convince you that they are just going to throw short-lived flows and bars at you, for hours. Thankfully, you would be wrong and "BKWYA" is only the tip of the iceberg. Clearly BK heavily influences Wati and Kashaka, but it isn't a coincidence that they named their project Dystopia FM. You can hear the various sounds picked up from radio surfing throughout: one moment we have the hard rhymes and then the next we hear R&B vocals.
Dystopia FM is only six tracks long, but it will keep you guessing the entire time. If "BKWYA" sounds like the gritty Subway, then "Stop Playini" is analogous to a sultry open mike night at the Nuyorican. Wati starts singing and practically delivers a spoken word poem through the entire three and half minute long song, he sounds smooth. Kashaka's production comes straight out of left field, where a young Flying Lotus is playing catch with a hyperactive Madlib. He brings a nice soulful quality to the music, but he loves throwing in odd times and experimenting with different sounds. "Pink Champale" is possibly his most pristine work, but "New Blue Hunnids" demonstrates his amazing ability to bring everything back to the gutter quickly.
Wati Heru and Kashaka are definitely capture Brooklyn's multifaceted culture and ambiance. Dysptopia FM refuses to let one genre or expectations shackle it, but instead chooses to absorb everything around it. It is an enjoyable ride and one that foretells a lot of great things id this duo's future.
