Gangstagrass Release New Music Video For Latest Single
GANGSTAGRASS
— AMERICAN BLUEGRASS AND HIP-HOP GROUP —
RELEASE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
FOR THEIR LATEST SINGLE
“THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH” FEAT. JERRY DOUGLAS
TODAY
Above: Gangstagrass; Credit: Melodie Yvonne
L-R: Dan "Danjo" Whitener, Dolio the Sleuth, Rench, R-SON the Voice of Reason, B.E. Farrow
NASHVILLE, TN (February 7, 2024) — Today, Gangstagrass — trailblazers in a distinct musical genre of their own design — release the official music video to their latest groundbreaking single (February 2), “The Only Way Out Is Through.”
Directed by TOUGH DUMPLIN & MZ.ICAR and polished with post-production by Someplace Called Brooklyn, the video — exclusively premiered via The Bluegrass Situation — begins with band members striding towards the camera against a black backdrop. As the song gains momentum towards its anthemic chorus, they confront a barrage of objects hurled their way, yet without faltering, they forge ahead.
Watch / share “The Only Way Out Is Through” official music video below.
Last week, the track debuted on Bluegrass Today, and features 15-time GRAMMY winner and three-time CMA “Musician of the Year” winner, Jerry Douglas. “The Only Way Out Is Through” continues Gangstagrass’s work of further narrowing the gap between bluegrass and hip-hop with Douglas skillfully exploring the wild side with his dobro. The composition combines expert banjo artistry with dynamic production, propelling the vocals through an inspiring chorus, complete with the Lowdown Brass Band on horns. Listen / Share “The Only Way Out Is Through” here.
“I’ve always been a collaborator, so I am naturally attracted to other collaborators,” shares Jerry Douglas. “Gangstagrass is definitely in that category. For a while now, I was constantly asked if there is any type of music that I haven’t been involved in. For the longest time, my answer was ‘rap.’ Until I heard Gangstagrass, I didn’t know how it would work out. When they asked if I would sit in with them at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, I jumped at the chance. ‘The Only Way Out Is Through’ is not only a huge box checked for me but a leap forward for me in my musical education. I love the song. I love the heart and soul these guys project onto the listener, and I am so thankful to be taken into the Gangstagrass family.”
Above: “The Only Way Out Is Through” Single Artwork
Conceived as a studio endeavor 15 years ago by Rench, a Brooklyn-based producer handling vocals, guitar, and beats, Gangstagrass has evolved into a vibrant and improvisational band, forging camaraderie from the most unexpected of origins. The group harmonizes the unwavering array of skills from Rench, R-SON the Voice of Reason (MC), and Dolio the Sleuth (MC, Vocals), in addition to featuring Dan “Danjo” Whitener (Banjo, Vocals), and B.E. Farrow (Fiddle, Vocals), among other brilliant instrumentalists. With roots across the country, the ensemble has skillfully blended the traditional sounds of fiddles and banjos with contemporary hip-hop beats. This unique blend and creative innovation have propelled the band to worldwide success.
Gangstagrass has been praised in various outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, Rolling Stone, NPR, Vice, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as a nationally broadcast feature on PBS. With more than a decade of shattering barriers and global touring, this rebellious collective has achieved unparalleled success in crafting an innovative sound rooted in historically significant heritage.
Critical to that success has been the band’s focus on grassroots efforts — nurturing a diverse, passionate fanbase united by music that transcends boundaries. That’s why both longtime Gangstagrass supporters and newcomers are eagerly backing the band’s Kickstarter campaign for a new album, featuring “The Only Way Out Is Through” as the opening track. Launching today, the campaign offers various support options, from putting a gallon of gas in the tour van to enjoying a private performance. The most popular choice is treating the crew to a milkshake — an indulgence they notoriously love so much that fans have even delivered milkshakes to them on stage. As Rench explains, “Each pledge brings us one step closer to making this amazing new album! Every bit helps bring this message of unity and dope music to the world.”
As the pioneers who made history as the first-ever band to bring real hip-hop MCs to the #1 spot on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart, Gangstagrass is well-acquainted with challenging norms. Their groundbreaking work led to them receiving UNESCO’s “International Innovator” award. Particularly noteworthy is their creation of the iconic “Long Hard Times to Come” — which served as the opening theme song for every episode of the hit FX show Justified — earning Gangstagrass a 2010 Primetime Emmy nomination in the “Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music” category. The group also saw recognition on America’s Got Talent in 2021, as judge Howie Mandel praised Gangstagrass as “the recipe that America has been looking for until now,” ultimately reaching the quarter-finals.
Above all, Gangstagrass emphasizes the value of education, frequently conducting workshops for K-12, college students, and adults of diverse backgrounds. Whether through engaging Q&A sessions, historical lessons, or spontaneous music tutorials, the group staunchly advocates for imparting well-rounded knowledge to everyone.
Above: Gangstagrass; Credit: Melodie Yvonne
“Suppose, just suppose, you could take a little of everything that's great about this country and distill it. The creativity, the ingenuity, the strength of the struggles of so many of its people -- indigenous, enslaved or otherwise. And then take that distilled energy and creativity and transform it to musical form. What would you say if I told you that it's being done?”
— R-SON the Voice of Reason