01 July 2022 - 0 Comments

Aotearoa New Zealand based Nigerian artist, producer and content creator Mazbou Q AKA ‘the Rap Scientist’ recruits South African born local rap icon Gino October for his second release of 2022; the hard-hitting and confrontational single entitled Anybody. Accompanied by Mazbou Q’s trademarked rhythmically dynamic production style, the emcees both unleash 32 bars of piercing lyricism and complex flows, welded together by an anthemic chorus calling for solidarity with ‘anybody’ who fits the bill.

Having released his self recorded and produced debut full length album The Future Was. in July of 2021, Mazbou Q took to Tiktok to share some of his musical knowledge with others. He was promptly branded by a rapidly growing fanbase as the ‘Rap Scientist’, after videos of him dissecting and analyzing the rhythmic basis of rap went viral. Amassing over 120,000 followers, Mazbou Q discusses in detail how he and other established rappers utilize different rhythmic techniques in their hit songs. Covering music theory concepts like syncopation, polymetric rhythms, displacement and rapping ‘behind the beat’, Mazbou Q is being lauded for illuminating the musical complexity of a genre often mistakenly not considered as such.

On his new single Anybody, Mazbou Q pulls out all the stops and puts these techniques on full display. “It’s important to put into practice what you teach. I want to show my new fans that when it comes to rap, I don’t just talk about it”.

The inclusion of fellow African-Kiwi emcee Gino October, according to Mazbou Q, was due to his high level of technical proficiency and comradery when it came to the subject matter. “Gino’s natural musicality makes him an absolute beast when it comes to flow, so I knew he’d be able to do justice to a tricky beat like this one. We’ve also shared many concerns and frustrations about life as Black artists in Aotearoa, so there couldn’t have been a more perfect match for this track”

Anybody jabs at a range of issues from the personal to the systemic. Unafraid to weigh in on one of the most controversial current topics - COVID-19 vaccines - Mazbou Q shares his thoughts on anti-vaccine conspirators in his verse, rapping “there ain’t no conspiracy, y’all just lackin’ a purpose”. Gino likewise deep dives into controversy with an indictment on the local music industry for the apparent exclusion of Black artists from opportunities, rapping “there’s Black music, but I don’t see Black performers!”

Mazbou Q explains “There is not really one thing that this track is about, but what unifies all the topics is that they’re issues that we face as marginalised peoples. That’s whom I’m calling out to on the hook - the ‘anybodies’ are immigrants, refugees, indigenous people and the outcasts of society. They’re the ones who are going to relate to this the most”

Mazbou Q is no stranger to using his art for social commentary. From his album ‘THE FUTURE WAS.’, came the semi-dramatized afro-futuristic mini-documentary entitled ‘Don’t Stop Regardless’, which deals head on with issues faced by African diaspora creatives. Other notable singles off the record that also contain powerful messages are G.O.A.T Problems (feat. Raiza Biza) and Best of You (feat. Cee Blu).

The ever-evolving roadmap for Mazbou Q is one that may include another album later this year, nevertheless he wishes to focus on expanding his horizon as a creative.

Comments

Return to News Archive