THEM is a new exciting queer rap duo consisting of Figaro the Kid from Columbia, SC and TCHNCLR from Atlanta, GA, which have decided to join forces about a year ago. In July the duo has released its first mixtape, which combines boncy beats with nervous ravey synths, followed by a Remix EP released a few weeks ago (cover on top), featuring a bunch of other promising new artists like Virginia rapper Prince Airick, North Carolinian Pariah Carey, Cakes da Killa beatmaker VIACOM CANNON and Bangkok based artist TrinityTiny1. For Catch Fire the duo has prepared another (very entertaining) commented list of their 5 favorite web clips, which allows to trace back a couple of THEM’s musical roots.

“Cibo Matto is everything. They’re one of my favorite bands of all time and one of the biggest inspirations to me. I’m constantly crying because I will probably never get to see them play live (they didn’t come even remotely near me for their reunion tour). Maybe if I bother them enough on twitter enough they’ll make music with us.” (Figaro)

“The video has kind of a punk sentiment like us. The way she’s putting her face on that poster, like painting over pop-culture with her own interpretations. Like us gay rappers. Painting over the hip-hop image with our own.” (TCHNCLR)

“I love Jiggly Calilente and the five-year old comments from random guys trying to hook up with her. I wonder if luminablanco2005@yahoo.com ever got a reply?” (Figaro)

“Satanism and witchcraft influence my aesthetic a lot so that weird video where they put him in a kid’s cartoon was crazy. Satan is probably the most interesting character in any story.” (TCHNCLR)

“Yasutaka Nakata, half of the duo capsule, says that he appreciates music made by people who aren’t trained in music theory because what they make is straight from the right brain, and that those who do know music theory are sometimes restricted by it. I try to remember this when people go out of their way to tell THEM that our music is terrible, because do they even matter if someone like Nakata could appreciate it? In relation to the video, MORE MORE MORE is arguably one of mine and TCHNCLR’s favorite capsule albums. When it’s lead single, JUMPER, came out I had it on repeat for months. I think I even downloaded it’s PV onto my iPod video so I could watch it on the go” (Figaro)

More THEM:
THEM: The Mixtape Vol 1
THEM: The Remixes Vol 1
Soundcloud
Joint Tumblr