Fusing the epic sounds of movie trailer music with modern Hip hop, Tamaki Makaurau based artist and producer Mazbou Q and Kansas City Missouri based producer xJ-Will set a new standard for Hip hop with the release of their revolutionary debut EP, ‘METAHUMAN’. Naming themselves SURVIVR6, the dynamic duo drop five bold tracks characterised by their infectious melodies, massive orchestration and contemporary rhythms that will make any head bop.
Recently featured in a promotional campaign for hit movie Creed III, the hard hitting and emotionally engaging second single off the EP ‘Lucky All Day' sets the pace for the rest of METAHUMAN. Led by a barrage of roaring synths, grandiose horns and tension-building orchestral drums, Lucky All Day creatively narrates the story of hard work done behind closed doors producing a level of success that appears as luck to the lazy. In the chorus Mazbou Q sings “Well if I’m lucky, guess I’m lucky all day”, leaning into the irony with playful sarcasm, providing a contrast to the overall aura of seriousness and intensity carried by the song.
The specialness of METAHUMAN is in the broadness of its applicability, according to the duo. “There is such a potential to expand into so many different territories. And I think it’s quite unique - this blend of big powerful trailer sounds and real commercial Hip hop” says Mazbou Q. Aimed primarily at sync opportunities, each of the songs provide many moments that would elevate the explosive on-screen action reminiscent of films like Fast and the Furious, Avengers or Transformers. However, the smoothness of both production and vocals equally suit it for mainstream Hip hop playlists. As a testament to this, ’Simply Superior’, the first single off the EP, was snapped up by viral YouTuber Ovik6280 and used as a soundtrack for dedication to Magneto of X-men, whilst simultaneously debuting on Spotify’s editorial playlist ’The Drip’ in August of 2022.
Also featured on the EP is a “trailerized” remix of Mazbou Q’s hit single ‘Beat Up, Bullied and Dunked On’, which sees the already bodacious track made even larger and refitted with sounds and textures that would place it aptly at the half time shows of the NBA or NFL.
Both prolific content creators on TikTok and Instagram, the pair connected over their love for music production and music education. Specialising in music for sync placements, platinum selling producer xJ-Will saw an opportunity and reached out to Hip hop educator Mazbou Q, a.k.a The Rap Scientist. “The versatility demonstrated by Maz’ rap teaching was extremely evident - I knew we had to work together, and that we could create something groundbreaking” says xJ-Will. Mazbou Q said it was the answer to his search for something new. “I was ready for a new challenge. Meeting xJ-Will and hearing his style of production lit a fire inside of me. It was all go from there”. Since the trans-pacific connection, Mazbou Q has since visited xJ-Will’s hometown in Kansas City where they were able to collaborate on content and promo material for METAHUMAN.
Lucky All Day and the METAHUMAN EP are a must-listen for anyone looking for a uniquely energising and unforgettable musical experience. Stretching and pushing the boundaries of Hip hop in an unapologetic fashion, the music likewise motivates the listener to push through their own challenges and overcome their fears. Constituting a bold expansion of horizons for the genre, METAHUMAN belongs everywhere from big screen to the headphones.