When I think of Sinergy Crew, the first two adjectives that come to mind is 'staunch' and 'thug'. Well, not really. A recent review of their debut album, 'Sin City', labelled the fellas with these two words and it kinda made me laugh. Sure, their music is straight up boom bap, punchline-friendly Hip Hop, but there isn't really anything 'staunch' or 'thuggish' about Royalz and Chains. Maybe it's coz I know the blokes and they're nothing like that. Either way, they're real. And that's what really matters here.
As soon as you lay eyes on the album artwork, there's no question as to the fact that this is a Hip Hop album. The 'Sin City' piece on the cover was drawn by local South East graf writer Zanee, and it immediately suggests the pure realness of the music contained within.
With Royalz behind the boards on all 16 cuts here, the SC sound is nothing short of raw, grimey, in-your-face boomsauce, and when the boys jump on the mic, it's clear that they can both rip it like Franco Colombu at a Mr. Olympia competition in the 70s. Single 'The Game' has been making some solid noise on the JJJ Unearthed charts, fan faves 'All Out Raw', 'Who's The Boss' and 'Rockin' The Richter' (with Hungry Human Raven) are all here as well. The blokes even include some solid personal, introspective and political joints like 'Hindsight', 'The Silent Truth', 'Such Is Life' and 'The Third Eye'.
Features are kept to a minimum, with DJ's Simple Simon and Elev8 supplying most of teh cuts, and their mates DBO Crew and A.I. all making an appearance on the two posse cuts 'Backyard Blitz' and 'Just The Beginning'. I caught up with the boys to chat more about the album, realness and what's next from here.
Sup boys? What’s real?
(R)oyalz: It’s almost lunchtime and my stomach is telling me I gotta eat, for real.
(C)hains: KFC Mashies are back. Definitely is a good sign in the wake of swine flu pandemics and the global financial crisis.
What’s been happening with you guys since the album dropped?
R: Working hard on the next release for our crew Associated Illness. Performed at and currently doing more shows. Eating KFC while playing X-Box. Hustlin’.
C: Yeah a combination of pushing the album, doing shows and writing for the Associated Illness project. Probably an expansion of the clothing line next year also as we have some artists working on some crazy designs.
How has the response been to the album thus far?
R: Pretty positive so far. We’ve had a bit of radio play and interviews from all over, so I think there are people who still like that grimey hip-hop.
C: In general it's been good. The current trend with a lot of Australia hip hop is slow, minimal production with what some call 'emotional' lyrics. While this is fine in small doses, entire albums of it just sound like whining. Most people in this world have it tough in some way or form, so we prefer to give people something more uptempo that they can rock out too and let loose rather than wallow in self pity.
What’s your individual favourite joints off the album and why?
R: 'Hindsight' is a personal favourite. It’s a reflection on our journey through our creative process to where we are now.
C: Hard to say it kind of depends on the mood. In terms of live shows - 'Rockin the Richter', 'The Game', 'Just The Beginning' are all crowd favourites and get people up and about. If you're just kicking back, 'Hindsight', 'Hip-hop-aholics' and 'The Third Eye' are probably up there.
There’s a marked political angle on a few tracks, what’s your main inspiration for that?
R: Life. The dodgy dealings of greedy individuals and the ignorant people that find it easier to ignore the truth.
C: I think the human race has reached a fork in the road right now. People don't think for themselves anymore, it's far easier to just follow the flock and hand responsibility over to corporations and governments. In the past, where ethics were more prominent, it wasn't as dangerous as now. These days when we live at the mercy of greed and gigantic profit margins, you can't have such a lax attitude about the world. Our lives are dictated by belief structures that aren't physical - racism, the 'economy', political correctness etc... none of these things are actually real, they are imaginary and can be manipulated in order to control populations. People need to start understanding that to regain some control over their lives.
Well said. Now that you’ve dropped a mixtape and an LP, do you think you’ll approach your next album in the same way you did ‘Sin City’?
C: It's hard to say, I think there will definitely be some more political fuel to add to the fire. That's something we'll have to cross when we get there. The A.I album is going to be a straight up banger, the next Sinergy release is hard to predict. I'm sure it will just evolve as we go along.
Tell us about the AI crew project that you have been working on.
R: We’ve been collecting the best beats from crew and associated equally ill dudes for a full length album. We all work well together so I think it will be a pretty cohesive effort. We’re currently writing two tracks which will hopefully be done by the end of the year, so keep your ears open!
C: Ever been kicked in the head?
Lol, not recently. Have either of you guys thought about doing solo projects?
R: I’ve had thoughts of doing a producer album similar to Chops or Marco Polo, but I’d have to grow my gatalogue a bit before diving into a project like that. Other than that I like working as part of a team, or contributing bits to other peoples projects.
C: I guess you never say never but collaboration is one of the beautiful things about hip hop. As Royalz mentioned, working with like minded individuals to create a piece of music is great.
Couldn't agree more. Royalz, you’re the main producer for Sinergy Crew. Who are your main influences production-wise?
R: My main influences are masters like Premo, diversity of Danger Mouse, sample selection of Necro, chopping of Stoupe and drums like Dre – all with their own signature sound and masters in their own right.
Chains, define ‘realness’.
C: Realness is as realness does. You can't be told what realness is, you have to see it for yourself. When you take the bus... you get there.
That's deep. What’s next from here?
R: I’m gonna go take a dump at work and get paid for it.
How can the people contact you fellas, and where can they cop the album from?
www.myspace.com/SinergyCrew
They can cop the album online from grhyme.bigcartel.com or any good independent music store nationwide.