Photo Credit: Juan Ordóñez (IG: @nukanchik)

In a world that’s grown increasingly serious and often difficult to comprehend, there are few qualities more important than a sense of humor. Few Hip-Hop acts understand that quite as well as Brooklyn trio PENPALS, who inject hilarity into their lyrics to provide moments of levity during an otherwise trying time. And on their latest album, To Whom It May Concern, the group balances the real with the funny to deliver grounded, damn-good Boom bap.

Part of the reason why the album instantly resonates isn’t just its humor, but also because both emcees (Cynic the Apache and Rapswell) sound so natural together. An ability they credit due to their years of friendship, while the third PENPAL (producer Squires) is an actual pen pal of sorts—a friend of a friend who began supplying them with bangers from which they would build their catalog.

Their camaraderie has such a natural vibe, that it’s immediately gripping, making tracks like “My Goodness” especially addictive given that they were able to seamlessly bring a third rapper (guest Castle) into the mix. That track, which is one of many highlights on here, specifically showcases their sense of humor and knack for cultural references with nods to everything from George Carlin to Sesame Street.

“We’re bringing solid goofs to the table,” Cynic says of the group’s approach. “Some people get so serious with this, and there’s a time and a place for it, but you’re also allowed to smile.”

That smile is really more of a half-serious smirk, because there are moments of reality on TWIMC, such as during the tech-conspiracy meditations on standout single “Hi Tech” (prod. Squires), as well as the spiritual musings on the Quelle Chris-produced, “Up To The Sky.” The weight of daily life, however, is most apparent on the struggle anthem, “So Real It’s Real” produced by The Doppelgangaz, as well as “Can’t Slow Down” (prod. Loupo), as the two rappers shoot the shit about the toils of being an artist who can’t afford to stop working.

As Rapswell explains, the group worked passionately to make this their best project yet, and he’s hopeful they can continue pushing themselves and further grow their audience. Given the quality of what they’re bringing on TWIMC, these goals are definitely within reach. To Whom It May Concern is now available through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms via Brick Records, and can be streamed in its entirety right here, courtesy of RESPECT!

Album Stream/Download: http://smarturl.it/PPTWIMC

PENPALS Online:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PenPalsNYC
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penpalsnyc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penpalsnyc
• Bandcamp: https://pen-pals.bandcamp.com
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/penpalsnyc
• Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyPENPALS

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The post #TunesForTuesdays: PENPALS – ‘To Whom It May Concern’ (Album Stream) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Juan Ordóñez (IG: @nukanchik)

New York rap three-piece PENPALS are on a whole other level of existence with their latest single, “Up To the Sky,” a psychedelia-laced burner produced by Quelle Chris off their highly anticipated new album, To Whom It May Concern.

For those unfamiliar with the buzzing trio, the PENPALS are made up of two rappers (Cynic The Apache and Rapswell) and a producer (Squires) who have been delivering mind-melting Hip-Hop for the past few years. However, it’s this latest project that serves as a culmination of their passion for the genre—and for turning it completely on its head.

PENPALS embrace their otherworldly leanings throughout “Up To The Sky,” a track that dissects and references a variety of philosophical and spiritual beings. But instead of getting lost in a discussion of a higher power, Cynic and Rapswell use the subject matter to their advantage by delivering brain-twisting bars that include “Summon Cthulhu huffing glue out of a paper bag” and “We the sound of the shocking behavior/ Shaving whispers off my face with Occam’s razor.”

The single is a fitting follow-up to their previously released video, “Hi Tech,” in promotion of TWIMC. Directed by Ryan Nocella, the visuals center on the conspiracy theory-soaked rhymes of Cynic and Rapswell, whose tin foil antics take them to a number of unrecognizable, bunker-esque locations. It’s a trip, and one that even further encapsulates the PENPALS’ m.o.

Both “Up to the Sky” and “Hi Tech” are now available through all digital retailers, and can be purchased for instant grat off the iTunes pre-order for the full length release of To Whom It May Concern, which is due out next Friday, June 01. The 13 track LP, in available now for pre-order via Brick Records. Press play on the single—and—video, right here courtesy of RESPECT.

Twitter: 
• PENPALS: https://twitter.com/PenPalsNYC
• Quelle Chris: https://twitter.com/QuelleChris

PENPALS Online:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penpalsnyc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penpalsnyc
• Bandcamp: https://pen-pals.bandcamp.com
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/penpalsnyc
• Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyPENPALS

The post #MusicMondays: PENPALS Drop Single – “Up To the Sky” & Visuals for “Hi Tech” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Juan Ordóñez (IG: @nukanchik)

After building a steady buzz over the past few years, Brooklyn trio PENPALS reveal one of their strongest tracks to date with their new single, “Trip to Peru,” featuring dusty production by Lars Viola.

For those unfamiliar, the PENPALS are rappers Cynic the Apache and Rapswell, with producer Squires behind the boards. And to date, they’ve made waves in the NYC underground and elsewhere with several ill projects, like their 2015 self-titled debut, which was followed-up the following year with, Made for the Underground, produced entirely by Jazz Spastiks (a/ka/ The Slipmat Brothers). With “Trip to Peru,” the group sounds more focused than ever over Viola’s jazzy, piano-heavy instrumental.

In addition to delivering sharp and clever wordplay throughout the track’s verses, Cynic and Swell wisely bring their humor to the chorus as well. Their Wheel Of Fortune-referencing lyrics are as absurd as they are catchy, to the point you’re likely to have “We got it down pat/ Sajak” for the next week (or more).

There’s no word yet on when we’ll hear a new project from the trio, but we should be in for another stellar installment in their discography if “Trip to Peru” is any indication. Give the track a spin right here courtesy of RESPECT., and then head over to the digital retailer or streaming platform of your choice to support!

Stream/Download (Smart URL): http://smarturl.it/TripToPeru

Twitter: 
• PENPALS: https://twitter.com/PenPalsNYC
• Lars Viola: https://twitter.com/Lars_Viola

PENPALS Online:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penpalsnyc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penpalsnyc
• Bandcamp: https://pen-pals.bandcamp.com
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/penpalsnyc
• Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyPENPALS

The post Listen to New Music From PENPALS – “Trip to Peru” (prod. by Lars Viola) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.