The Stoops are a 3-piece outfit from Perth, WA, who have been
making golden era inspired hip hop for going on 10 years. But
after a monumental transition in the group’s dynamic (beginning
with the departure of emcee Coin Banks and vocalist Natalie Mei,
the inclusion of Sarah Pellicano, and a complete shift in
production techniques), The Stoops have not only embraced
change... they have mastered it.
The song takes our first world problems, and jams along to them in
such positive fashion that it’s like the Western World throwing a
summer festival for its own funeral, under the magnifying glass of
global warming.
As the lyrics become more intriguing, spilling a thick toxic array
of social commentary down the pipeline of a prevalent Stoop
ideology and feel-good vibe, the song blatantly belies its real
premise. However, this is anything but preachy, as the emcees go
on to name-checking themselves as being part of the problem. It’s
this kind of self deprecation that makes the track so appealing.
Recently shortlisted in the Vanda & Young Songwriting
Competition, Middle of a Riot emerged from a pool of 3,400 entries
from 17 countries, to ascend into the top 50.
The single release coincides with a brilliant debut video that
confidently steps into the world of visual arts. Ice cream vans,
exploding letterboxes, and a subtle cameo of a certain prime
minister are just a few of the left field ideas that ensure this clip is
not just another hip hop video.
‘Middle Of A Riot’ signifies a new-found maturity in The Stoops’
sound, exposing both a unified ideology and personality to the
group. As MOAR sets the tone, The Milk & Bread EP is sure to be
a rich and substantial meal for any hungry hip hop connoisseur.
The three core members; DJ - Arms In Motion and emcees -Roc
Walla and Pronto, have spent the majority of the last few years
tweaking and evolving their soul- fueled, ego-free signature sound
in preparation for what could now be almost regarded as a Debut
release (although it is their third). The EP, titled “Milk & Bread”, is an
entirely self produced project which earmarks yet another solid
direction for the Perth hip hop outfit.
The first single from Milk & Bread, titled “Middle of a Riot” is a
tongue in cheek song that paints/reflects our modern day
‘keyboard warriors’. In fact it hammers them. Being self centred and
ignorant are two symptoms of the privileged first-world lifestyle.
lyrics
Verse 1
the worlds getting hotter
and I'm sweating up in my house
chunks of ice disappear
no Amy Winehouse
hideouts and jihad
the whole world need a rehab
before it deflates like a beanbag
and we act like anyone
and react with minimal exertion
before we put the seat back and telly on
reports about cows and shit we can't do
I put a burger in my mouth
and flick to cartoons
sinking further in my couch
in a furnace of a house
in an airconditioned mist
as thick as car fumes
but I'm sure I'll be fine
when the shore levels climb
ill just walk out the door
in my shorts with a line
In a short bit a time ill reality check
But reality's a bitch… she hasn't added me yet
and I'm just another douche bag she' have to accept
One day we'll sort it out, but I'll ignore for now
Chorus
we just faded out
pouring the lager
while avoiding the drama
on the front page
in the middle of a riot pretending its alright
Bridge
And i can see whats wrong
i don't need this song
I'm just waiting till the trees are gone
and your not helping at all rick
coz i just sit here and i talk shit
and i can see whats wrong
i don't need this song
I'm just waiting till the trees are gone
and your not helping at all matt
coz i just sit here and i talk crap
Verse 2
we don't blow whistles
we blow missiles below seas
thinking we some hippies
who officially vote peace
coz we don't know the difference
we so into our own dreams
to notice anybody
if it don't live in our own streets
and its all blah bladdidy blah blah
rather listen to bob marley than Bob Carr
they paint Miley Cirus on my eyelids interior
so i don't have witness all the violence in Syria
It's so evil what we do to boat people
I get kicked out of clubs basically both equal
They devoted all their life... for a visa to live here
I take an overnight flight to where it's cheaper to drink beer
They're tryna’ find a reason why the bees are dying
I'm just tryna’ find a reason why my keys are hiding
I got a fuel loving big block under the top
And I drive it to the gym so I can run on the spot
Iraq to Dafor
Thats way too hardcore
i came from a place
where you don't need to lock the car door
the same little place you don't really need a car for
transmitting live
from a city made of cardboard
Chorus
we just faded out
pouring the lager
while avoiding the drama
on the front page
in the middle of a riot pretending its alright
Bridge
And i can see whats wrong
i don't need this song
I'm just waiting till the trees are gone
and your not helping at all rick
coz i just sit here and i talk shit
and i can see whats wrong
i don't need this song
I'm just waiting till the trees are gone
and your not helping at all matt
coz i just sit here and i talk crap
credits
released January 1, 2015
Written & Recorded by : The Stoops
Mixed by: Chu
Mastered at: 301 Studios
Treehouse Collective is the design organisation behind all our covers. This incredible mixtape is a tribute to all the artists they have worked with in the past. The Stoops