Kalistani Major History

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The Trek Corps release debut album "Bass Theory" on LCR
Major marketing push scheduled to support Album
Dana, Suldanor
April 12, 5353


Critically Acclaimed "Bass Theory" will be supported by world tour over next two months

Last Chance Records celebrated the relocation of their corporate offices to Dana Suldanor with the release of a much anticipated debut album from Addisjah hip hop trio The Trek Corps. "Bass Theory" has attracted wide interest and critical acclaim across the Republic, [video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P800UWoE9xs?si=hywmEjacM70DCGSw]and its lead single, "World Tour" released three months ago is still in heavy rotation on Radio 1, Radio 2, and M7[/url]. The follow up single "Situation" is already both a major hit, and also features the work of other northern Hip Hop artists associated with the broader Hip Hop collective known The Squadron (K Dawg Inc, Mark Deuce and Trevor Trev, whose featured verses are viewed as the hardest and most skilled delivery on that record.)

The Trek Corps gained a reputation for bringing hardcore hip hop that tackles social issues like drug abuse, exploitation in the Independent Club scenes, and life in the lower income neighborhoods in Vrassa with a sense of humor and lightness that celebrates life and looks to the future. Qasim-T, the Corps' leader and primary producer explained the group's optimistic approach. "Well, we could spend our time being pissed off about everything, or we could use our music to bring awareness to the kind of sh-t we see everyday and try to get people to pay attention. Socialism in Kalistan has done lots of good things, especially when you compare it to places like overseas where people are put in pens and made into prostitutes by the State. But it can do better. It should do better. I can tell people about that, or I can tell them how sh-tty my life was. Both are true for me, but nobody gives a f--k about my life."

The Corps' music features heavy hard hitting bass, layered samples that call back to various jazz traditions, and live instrumentation that earns plaudits for its innovative production and cleanness of sound. "We try to talk about lots of stuff in the songs," said MC FlipMode, who writes lyrics with Qasim-T. "I like to boast in my lyrics, Qasim will sometimes talk about his Ahmadi faith, he's a little more humble." "A little..." echoed the Corps' DJ Mahmoud, laughing. "That brother needs to chill out sometimes..." The camaraderie of this trio comes from their shared connection to Lodamun from where they all moved as children. "We have known each other for years," said Qasim. "We met each other in school--we were the Lodamese kids, and me and Mahmoud were also Ahmadi, and while we didn't have any problem with this, it was a good basis for a friendship. And all three of us knew early on that we wanted to make music. Hip hop just makes sense."

The three friends formed The Trek Corps six years and made a name for themselves in hip hop clubs throughout Vrassa and Suldanor. "Over in Kaliburg, its something else," said FlipMode. "I mean, they're more laid back over there. Vrassa always comes harder than Ananto anyway, just cause life is harder on this side of the Strait. And I think that fans are looking for that. We don't have a lot of the funk elements they are working on there. Ours is more jazz and bass based music. I think it is a harder edged style." The Corps was approached by LCR who was looking to follow up their relatively successful proof of concept release by Spliff, who released a record and then ended up going on hiatus following a successful Republican Tour. "We have major money backing this record," said Qasim. "I mean, we took an advance, sure, but we've already recouped, and there is some real demand for Hip Hop in this Republic. LCR took the chance, and this thing is going places."

Hip hip is indeed taking off. Besides The Trek Corps, now Dana-based LCR has signed The Squadron from Vrassa City, and are working on developing other acts from the Port Swedes Area. "We have met so many other artists so far," said Mahmoud. "Its amazing how this scene is finally starting to come into light, and get some airplay. And people are buying the records. That means I don't have to work for the City any more. You don't even know what that means." Indeed, all three members of The Trek Corps have been able to quit their day jobs, and are now doing music full time. "This is what we love to do," said Qasim. "It's like a passion. To make music to celebrate life, in all its facets, whether its hanging out with our brothers and sisters at a summer party, or playing basketball in the park, or having rap battles with other MCs. Life is great, and we get the opportunity to live it."

When asked if Qasim-T, FlipMode or Mahmoud were planning to relocate to Suldanor now that their record is doing so well, they were emphatic. "No," said Qasim, echoed by the other members. "I have family in Lodamun who I see all the time. We have the maglev train and it wouldn't be hard to get back here from some place like Sulari or Dana, but my home is here. My friends and family are here. Addisjah is my home base. I'm gonna stick around and use my fame to help improve the city, to make it the place I rap about and make music about. I don't need to go anywhere else." FlipMode and Mahmoud agreed.

"But we are going somewhere though," added FlipMode. "We're headed out on a world tour, goin each and every place with a mic in my hand!" (These are lyrics from their single "World Tour") FlipMode is correct: The Trek Corps will be the first LCR artists to travel to 22 different cities over the next two months, playing Lodamun, Likatonia, Kiezenia, Hutori, Luthori, Nsanlosa, Liore, Lourrenne, Seko and Gaduridos and wrapping up with several dates in Kalistan. "Hip Hop Ambassadors," said Qasim. "That's kinda scary." "But exciting," added FlipMode with a huge grin.

As The Trek Corps celebrate their successful debut and plan their tour, take a list to their second single, "Situation" from their debut album "Bass Theory" featuring K Dawg Inc, Mark Deuce and Trevor Trev from The Squadron, released on LCR.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6TLWqn82J4]