Maestro Gypsy Rustle ft. Pandemonium: Pocket Lead Hip Hop Single- “D.I.D.” Lead Pop Rock Single- “No Haps” Maestro Gypsy Rustle is a student of engineering. Recently admitted to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for a Master of Fine Arts degree in sound design, he is also a student of music. “I just want to create songs I’d like to listen to,” he says. “I’m a hip hop/rock/soul/reggae/funk kid. Pandemonium is my lyrical equivalent. Pocket is a fusion of our influences.” After earning a B.S. in History from Iowa State University, Pandemonium moved to Durham, NC to study law at North Carolina Central University. While in law school, he released a single, “The Truth,” which became a mainstay on late mix shows at 97.5 WQOK and 102 JAMS. Signed by Renegade 360 Records, Pandemonium released Darker Than Blue which made some regional noise. After Renegade 360 dissolved, Word Spoken and Digital Analog were released. Those second two albums are the reasons Maestro Gypsy Rustle wanted to work with Pandemonium. “I heard this lyrical talent, but shabby engineering. The musical ideas were strong, but the execution was subpar. I had seen him perform on tour, and was blown away, but when I’d listen to the albums, I’d be disappointed. I knew I needed to work with him. When we got together, we found out we had the same influences.” This blend of styles is not readily apparent on the first hip hop single, “D.I.D.” Its blaring synths and deep bassline fits right in next to today’s sound, but after first pass, it’s the lyrics that are fresh. I’m not content with your content/ I contest your context/ genocide seems to be the prize of your contest/ selling lies seems to be the pride of your conquest… The simple chorus, Dumb It Down, is in direct contrast with the complex lyrics. The result is anything but dumb. Even the lead pop single, “No Haps,” settles next to your favorite pop song. Up and comer Phoenix Lei sings the anthem of people refusing to move backwards. Me getting back to you is like putting toothpaste back in the tube/ it’s not happening over punk guitar chord progressions sounds like Green Day melding with Jasmine Sullivan and The Roots. “Those songs are the bait, obviously,” says Maestro Gypsy Rustle. “The rest of the songs are where the true experiment takes place.” This is undeniable as a trip hop dub southern hip hop shuffle, “BlackLight,” precedes a reggae hip hop pop intellectual poetry piece, “Ruby Red,” followed by a rock hip hop “Hypocritic Oath.” Not to mention, “Pandemonium,” an alliteration exercise involving 147 words beginning with the letter p. If Jimi, Sly, Stevie, and Gwen Stefani did an album with Madlib, Talib Kweli, and Portishead, it might sound a bit like Pocket. “I don’t know how many people will dig it,” Maestro Gypsy Rustle ponders, “but those who do, will really dig it.”