Merging Asian inspired soundscapes with classic rap styling, The Urban Renewal Project just released their latest single entitled “Red Eye”. Featuring explosive big band jazz paired with a throwback hip-hop sound, it’s the essence of what you’ve come to know and love from the 16-piece collective. "Red Eye" grabs inspiration from the band’s tour to Indonesia where they performed at Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta. Elmer Demond and Slim da Reazon use those Southeast Asian experiences to detail their late nights on the road with The Urban Renewal Project.
Demond reveals, "We met some amazing people over there, and I studied with some local gamelan musicians and worked with them to record on authentic balinese instruments for elements of this track ('gamelan' is the local bahasa word for the Indonesian traditional orchestra)”.
The Urban Renewal Project is back showcasing their distinctive live-band hip-hop aesthetic. Between multiple tour dates with rap icons Camp Lo and a festival appearance in Jakarta, Indonesia last year, the Los Angeles based group has found time to record new material. Exploring a modern version of old school hip-hop, they’ve crafted a unique infectious rap with horn infused rhythms and hefty live drums.
Elmer Demond and his chilled out beats are joined by the newcomer Slim da Reazon, as well as the band’s once-and-future bassist Dustin Morgan, a.k.a. Yung Jinja, now on the mic. The trio rhymes atop a funky blend of instrumentation by bandleader R.W. Enoch and 13 instrumentalists while Alex Nester delivers soul, pop vocals rounding out the ensemble.
Known for their up-tempo danceable tunes, “Red Eye” is another prime example of just that, oozing with an energetic, fun ambiance. Check out “Red Eye” off their forthcoming EP titled Love Glory Duty Death.
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