From house music to experimental bass and now rap, Barclay Crenshaw is proving he can do it all.
Their new single, “Cannibal Strings,” highlights an unapologetic willingness to step outside the box and experiment with new sounds. Influenced by hip-hop icons MF Doom and Rakim, Crenshaw takes the microphone to navigate the changes in his life and tap into his Detroit roots.
Smart, tongue-in-cheek lyrics complement a percussive-heavy hip-hop beat with a punchy vocal hook on “Cannibal Strings.” The song contrasts starkly with the sound of the bass virtuoso, who recently released his debut album, open channel.
“I've done hip-hop in the past, but I've never put on the microphone as an emcee at an official launch,” Crenshaw said in a press release. “At age 11 he was already beatboxing on one tape recorder, then playing it and rapping on another in his bathtub (for reverb). In the early '90s, I even recorded an entire rap album and sold the cassettes door to door. – door and made $800. In 'Cannibal Strings' I talk about the sale of my record label and the big change of being a 20-year veteran house DJ. [Claude VonStroke] to a new master of ceremonies.”
Fearlessly crafting his fresh narrative and trying out bold new sounds, Crenshaw's experimental attitude and unique perspective are propelling him forward.
“This British Columbia project aims to overcome all my complexes and fears,” reads a newsletter he published yesterday. “Regardless of how this music is received, thank you to the people who support me and allow me to take risks and put myself out there. I have grown more as an artist this year than the last 10 years combined and I really appreciate the people who are on this journey with me.”
Crenshaw also announced that it will be offering special music packs “for any hungry remixers” with liner notes, lyrics, uncompressed audio, and more. Remixers are encouraged to submit their versions to the producer after accessing the bunches.
On the heels of a groundbreaking Caverns show and performance at the dazzling 2024 edition of Detroit's iconic Movement Festival, Crenshaw continues to push his tour forward with energy and finesse. His next stops include Electric Forest and Shambhala, among other big festivals.
Listen to “Cannibal Strings” below and find the new single on streaming platforms here.
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