Easing the pace but hitting us with confidence, Cartel Madras recently released the music video for “Lavender Nightz”, the first single off their latest EP, Serpent and The Tiger.
The video starts with a motorcyclist whizzing past cars, as they take off in the night. In the next scene Eboshi and Contra, appear. That’s when the music drops.
“Lavender Nightz was inspired by late night conversations and a post-breakup freestyle according the Cartel Madras.
Their sound is as direct as their lyrics. It includes gungy techno, bouncy interloop and hasty rap flows. The alternative hip-hop artists have been making noise in the Calgary music scene since 2017.
In 2018, they released their debut EP, Trapistan. After growing their fanbase across Canada and the U.S. and receiving attention from A&Rs, they signed to Seattle-based Sub Pop Records in 2019. In that same year, they released their second EP Age of Goonda – labelling their sound.
The pioneering sisters coined this genre Goonda Rap as a way to pay homage to their South-Asian roots while also celebrating the various rap sub-genres.
Now, they are back with a similar sound that includes a few softer melodies. In a recent interview with the Calgary Herald they noted that this time around they are sharing a little less about their ethnicity and a lot more about their experiences and relationships.
Serpent and The Tiger showcases them in their best light being straight forward, real, and raw. While working on the project, the duo has complimented each other’s work ethnic by presenting their duality on the mic and behind the scenes.
As Eboshi is currently based in Toronto and Contra is in Calgary, Cartel Madras were working throughout the pandemic from afar to complete the project on time.
However, this distance did not stop Cartel Madras from releasing an explosive alternative hip-hop, trap, techno and house project. The two continue to effectively collaborate, spit bars and showcase their creativity. “Lavendar Nightz” is only one example of how the angsty rap group is showing another side of themselves, while still being explicitly outspoken.
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