If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the chaos of experimental noise-rap meets the poetry of video game fantasies, look no further than clipping. This audacious Bay Area group isn’t just challenging the status quo; they’re flipping it on its head and taking it for a wild ride! Fronted by the talented Daveed Diggs—yes, the guy who can rap like it’s nobody’s business while casually acting his socks off—clipping. has carved out a niche that’s as unique as a unicorn in a petting zoo. And let’s not forget their collaborations! They’ve teamed up with the likes of Benny The Butcher and the late, great Gangsta Boo, proving they can turn heads and drop jaws while collaborating with heavy-hitters of the rap game.
Today, they unveil a new track featuring none other than Aesop Rock, a name that resonates like a well-placed drumbeat, known for his deep, thought-provoking lyricism. The track “Welcome Home Warrior” is already generating buzz as a potent teaser for their upcoming concept album, Dead Channel Sky, which promises cyberpunk influences that tickle your imagination in all the right spots. So, are you ready to dive into a world where soundscapes resemble a digital battleground, and lyrics hit harder than a controller thrown in frustration? Let’s talk about this new drop, the artists involved, and what it means for the future of noise-rap!
clipping. is a truly unique force in music—an experimental Bay Area noise-rap group fronted by a gifted actor with exceptional rapping skills. Their sound is shaped by a range of influences, yet they stand apart from any clear peers. Over the years, clipping. has collaborated with several prominent rappers, including Benny The Butcher, King T, and the late Gangsta Boo. These collaborations are always intriguing, as they showcase how other artists adapt to clipping.’s distinctive style.
Today, the group unveils a new track featuring Aesop Rock, another rapper known for his deep, immersive approach to music. This collaboration follows a series of singles from clipping.’s upcoming concept album Dead Channel Sky, set for release next month. The album, inspired by cyberpunk themes, has already teased tracks like “Run It,” “Keep Pushing,” and “Change The Channel.” Now, clipping. continues to build anticipation with “Welcome Home Warrior,” a thought-provoking commentary on the allure of video game fantasy. The track, built on a warped, pulsating electro beat. It harks back to the raw, experimental sound of Aesop Rock’s early work with Def Jux.
Both Aesop and Daveed Diggs deliver intricately layered verses, each with a deadpan intensity. In the Dimuccio & Miller-directed video, Diggs portrays a hacker straight out of an ’80s B-movie—a character I’d love to see in a film. Dead Channel Sky arrives on March 14, released by Sub Pop.
Quotable Lyrics
Calling all cyber rat race escape artists to the clearing
Hear ye how the synth wind whispers
As endearing as the jacked on past you’ve all run from
Down in the doldrums grabbing hold as if a dungeon
Guess they say it’s of the mind
Well stationed merely paces from the places where online