NUZU are a kind of a supergroup from London, if you already don’t know them by now. It’s doubtful, knowing that their single Hazy has been extremely popular. They go for quick paced, lyrically complex singles that advocate the need for pure, thought out rhymes in hip-hop. Pipes is such a track, compressed energy in little less than 3 minutes. I had a chance to interview them about their journey and single as well:
1) Pipes is your first release for this year. Did you choose this song specifically for a reason?
T – It’s been one we’ve wanted to unleash for a while. I think it’s blunt as fuck and that’s ideal from a lead single sometimes.
J – Yeah it’s definitely a statement, it’s a slight departure from our usual sound but it’s still quintessential NUZU.
It is, as it is a throbbing, pulsating vibe of a beat which leads the track. As the vocals kick in, they make sure the background is still just as essential, bouncing with rabid energy and purpose. If this is the result of NUZU exploring, we want more as you sometimes just can’t get enough of hip-hop passion.
2) Tell me more about this track. As a collective, what was your direction for making this single?
T – So Jack sent me the beat in 2019 and I instantly loved it, we got some vocals down on it not long after. It channels some of our influences like punk and drum n bass in a much more obvious way than our other singles and we lent into that a lot.. but still wanted it to feel like a ‘NUZU song’.
J – To me, it’s that fusion of UK rave culture and that classic punk energy, it wears its influences on it’s sleeve but we feel it still has a lot to say.
It does have the up-tempo unrefined energy of the punk tracks from the late 80s but adds its own special ingredients to it ever so often. Pipes is short, hence has that time stamp of excellence as well, say what you want and leave.
3) This is your first single before The ZU box releases, your first EP. Does this track sum up the kind of songs we’ll be hearing in your album?
T – It’s a taster into some of the textures of the project but also it maybe works better as a reminder that we wanna keep people guessing.
J – Well let’s just say if you like the raw, loud, energy of this track, you won’t be disappointed.
Its more than a taster, its a milestone to the sound that they’ve chased constantly, becoming more individualistic and special, bit by bit. They’ve had four singles till now, each delving into a new style of delivery or sound. We hope to get this infectious rhyme trio with their kickass album scheduled this year hopefully.
4) From Hazy to Pipes. What all has changed for NUZU as a group?
T – In short, a lot aha. I think one of the biggest changes is trusting our instincts more and having fun in the process. Studio sessions are wavier these days too.
J – The pandemic obviously slowed us down a lot, as it has I’m sure for many artists. But in a way that has helped us take a step back and focus on what we want from NUZU, the whole process feels a lot more natural now and we’ve got a LOT in the vault.
To proceed as an artist during these times has a major risk factor involved. However, to create something more fulfilling, you must turn to passion. This is the spine of a passion project, and NUZU is the tissue that surrounds it.
5) What can people expect, tour and performance wise, from NUZU?
T – This EP is the start to our busiest year so far. More music, more visuals, more shows.
Enough has been said, this just means a louder, prouder NUZU that people who are lucky enough to see live will enjoy. For the rest of us, pleasure lies in listening to their upcoming album.
Use the pipeline to NUZU’s special sound here:
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Discovered via http://musosoup.com
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Self professed metalhead, moderately well read. If the music has soul, it's whole to me. The fact that my bio could have ended on a rhyme and doesn't should tell you a lot about my personality.
