Trap Rabbit x The Bul Bey x Unown – “Hissy”
This is a collaboration between alt-jazz production duo Trap Rabbit, producer Unown, and rising Philly MC The Bul Bey. The lyrics to this track were written the day after the failed American insurrection in January 2020. They grapple with current events and social media culture.
This is a collaboration between fusion production duo Trap Rabbit, producer Unown, and Philly MC The Bul Bey. The lyrics to this track were written the day after the failed American insurrection in January 2020. They grapple with current events, anxieties, and culture. The words and flow are unsettling, complimenting the instrumental.
The foundation of the instrumental was and improvised and chopped up live set by DJ Unown and Trap Rabbit, similar to their previous release together, The Cook Up Vol 1.
Rapper-songwriter The Bul Bey tells the authentic story of Philadelphia native meets global citizen. With the optimism of a school teacher, the honesty of an Imam, and a lexicon only a Philly Bul could truly comprehend, the playful Hip Hop wordsmith’s bouncy bars elevate the bright sides of working class life.
“Stop tryna get me to dance/ when they killing us/ I’ve got a strap in my hands/ and I’m Pulling Up”
The instrumental was made using samples from a live improvised performance by Trap Rabbit. They were chopped by DJ Unown and then further produced by the duo.
Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered at Treacle Mine Studios in Philly, PA by Michael Cumming (Sun Ra Arkestra, Hilary Hahn, Jim Cunningham)
Trap Rabbit is a collective of Philadelphia and New York-based musicians that produces music referencing a menagerie of influences including piano trios, indie songwriters, psychedelic rock, experimental hip-hop, and niche 70’s funk and soul from around the world. Founded in a basement on the outskirts of Philadelphia in 2015, its members include studio rats, touring session players, ivy-league snobs, conservatory grads, high school drop-outs, DIY legends, pop junkies, jazz enthusiasts, and hip-hop aficionados. Their achievements are similarly varied, including international tours, academic awards, and collaborations with Grammy-winners and platinum record holders.
Trap Rabbit is a collective of Philadelphia and New York-based musicians that produces music referencing a menagerie of influences including piano trios, indie songwriters, psychedelic rock, experimental hip-hop, and niche 70’s funk and soul from around the world. Founded in a basement on the outskirts of Philadelphia in 2015, its members include studio rats, touring session players, ivy-league snobs, conservatory grads, high school drop-outs, DIY legends, pop junkies, jazz enthusiasts, and hip-hop aficionados. Their achievements are similarly varied, including international tours, academic awards, and collaborations with Grammy-winners and platinum record holders.
In the past, Trap Rabbit has been fortunate to share the stage with artists such as Mark Giuliana and Taylor McFerrin, and to work in studio settings with producers like Phil Nicolo (Lauryn Hill, Bob Dylan), and Eric Bazilian (The Hooters, Cyndi Lauper).
In addition to producing original music for themselves and others, they also make commercial music for sync libraries, apps, and audio books, and podcasts with their production studio, Treacle Mine Recording.
DJ Unown is a Philly-based, DC-bred producer. He currently produces hip-hop instrumentals and plays in Oddisee’s live band.
Photos by Quincy Stallworth*
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