#1 ON BILLBOARD'S BLUEGRASS ALBUMS CHART: 'THE BLACKEST THING ON THE MENU'

THE BLACKEST THING ON THE MENU
FROM BLUEGRASS AND HIP-HOP GROUP
— GANGSTAGRASS —
LANDS THE #1 SPOT
ON BILLBOARD’S “BLUEGRASS ALBUMS” CHART

PROJECT LAUNCHED TO RAVE REVIEWS

Above: ‘The Blackest Thing on the Menu’ Album Cover

NASHVILLE, TN (September 26, 2024) — The latest album from Gangstagrass, The Blackest Thing on the Menu, debuted at #1 on the Billboard “Bluegrass Albums” chart this week, marking their second time reaching #1 on the chart as trailblazers blending bluegrass and hip-hop. Acknowledged worldwide as a “hip-hop group,” this achievement showcases how Gangstagrass is bridging genres and transcending boundaries, reinforcing The New York Times’s observation: “This Is the Music America Needs.”

Stream The Blackest Thing on the Menu HERE. Order The Blackest Thing on the Menu HERE.

“We deal with plenty of skepticism about our bluegrass cred, our authenticity, whether we even count as bluegrass,” producer and vocalist Rench shares. “Having this album top the bluegrass charts is so significant for us as one of the things we can point to and show that we belong here. Not just that we are on the charts, but to get to #1 really puts us in the bluegrass community that has embraced us. Having bluegrass legend Jerry Douglas on our album was an honor, having Dan Tyminski join us on stage at the International Bluegrass Music Association was an honor, and with another #1 charting album, the skeptics have nothing left to stand on as far as whether we are bluegrass. We are, and our amazing fans and collaborators continue to prove it with all their support.”

MC and vocalist Dolio the Sleuth expresses his gratitude for the fans, remarking, “This is incredible! So thankful for everyone that contributed to the project, all the folks that bought it, streamed it, told friends and family about it, came to a show, all of y’all. Thanks so much! Be sure to come holler at us when we hit your area!”

Last but not least, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell who co-produced “Good at Being Bad” from the album says, “Wow! My first number one bluegrass record!! I never thought I would have a number one in this genre. This is right in line with our vision for Royal Studios when our Pops, Willie Mitchell, passed away in 2010. Royal is obviously world renowned for Al Green and soul music. But our vision was for Royal to be known for having an impact on any genre that was recorded here. This is definitely a full circle and surreal moment not just for Royal Studios but for me as well.”

Released Friday, June 14, the delectable 10-track album serves up a bold mix of rhythm, soul, and spice, effortlessly fusing the deep-rooted American traditions of bluegrass and hip-hop, while exploring the core elements of both genres. As No Depression underscored: “While 2024 is the year of ‘Cowboy Carter,’ Gangstagrass has been plying the junction of country and rap since 2007. This takes the pressure of breaking new ground off ‘The Blackest Thing on the Menu’ and allows it to be what it is: a solid collection of summer jams.”

The Blackest Thing on the Menu marks the band’s seventh full-length album. With over a decade of shattering barriers and touring globally, this rebellious collective has achieved unparalleled success, crafting an innovative sound deeply rooted in historically significant heritage. The ensemble has skillfully blended the traditional sounds of fiddles and banjos with contemporary hip-hop beats and bars. This distinctive fusion and artistic ingenuity have catapulted Gangstagrass to global acclaim. Praised by esteemed outlets such as  The New York Times, Forbes, Rolling Stone, NPR, Vice, HipHopDX, and The Wall Street Journal, the band has also been featured on national broadcasts, including PBS.

ACCLAIM FOR THE BLACKEST THING ON THE MENU:

“Gangstagrass is certainly among the most engaging and provocative acts in and around bluegrass music…It may be jarring at first to followers of either part of this genre blend, but they do it with such skill and panache that it really works on both levels.
— John Lawless, Bluegrass Today, February 1, 2024

“Melding bluegrass and hip-hop, urban and rural, fiddles and rhymes, Gangstagrass manages a hard feat: creating something that sounds like a completely new genre.”
— Chris Griffy, No Depression, February 19, 2024

“Gangstagrass’ reputation has been built on a clever and never corny mashup of bluegrass instrumentation and fire-spitting hip-hop...new song ‘Good at Being Bad,’… a rewarding curveball from the band that ups anticipation for new album ‘The Blackest Thing on the Menu.’” 
— Addie Moore, Wide Open Country, March 8, 2024

“Gangstagrass have solidified their status… through sharp musical chops and even more impressive hip-hop flows… their skills are strong enough to appeal to fans of all the genres they cover, making them a true melting pot of a group.” 
—  Glide Magazine, May 9, 2024

 “The world’s foremost outfit combining bluegrass with rap, hip-hop, R&B, and more. We’ve been fans of Gangstagrass at BGS for years.”
— Ed Helms, Bluegrass Situation (“Good Country”), June 5, 2024

Above: Gangstagrass; Credit: Melodie Yvonne
L-R: Dan "Danjo" Whitener, Dolio the Sleuth, Rench, R-SON the Voice of Reason, B.E. Farrow

“The album’s title was born over dinner at a blues-themed restaurant in my hometown,” explains MC and vocalist Dolio the Sleuth. “We joked about ordering ‘the blackest thing on the menu,’ which turned out to be blackened shrimp and cheese grits. Months later on tour, the memory resurfaced, and as two rainbows appeared in the sky, we knew the title was meant to be.”

As the name evolved, it gained deeper meaning, especially in light of conversations about race and country music. “After playing so many bluegrass and folk festivals where Black influence wasn’t represented except by us, the title just clicked,” adds producer and vocalist Rench. “What started as a joke became a statement.”

Dolio concludes, “At festivals, we realized we’re the spiciest thing on the menu. This album brings the heat, the flavor, and the down-home cookin’ all in one.”

Highlighted in The Bluegrass Situation, “Mother,” the fifth single from the LP, pairs a smooth beat with poetic lyrics that tackle serious global issues. The fourth single, “Obligatory Braggadocio,” is a genre-blending “country-bro banger” with powerful guitar rhythms, intense beats, and swagger-filled lyrics featuring oversized trucks. “Up High Do or Die,” the third single, interpolates “Jerusalem Ridge” with a co-write by father-of-bluegrass Bill Monroe. “Good at Being Bad,” the second single, was co-produced by GRAMMY-winner Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell at Royal Studios in Memphis. The lead single, “The Only Way Out Is Through,” featuring 15-time GRAMMY winner Jerry Douglas, debuted on Bluegrass Today.

THE BLACKEST THING ON THE MENU TRACK LISTING:
“The Only Way Out Is Through” (feat. Jerry Douglas)
“Good at Being Bad”
“Up High Do or Die” (feat. LowDown Brass Band)
“Gone Gone”
“Mother” (feat. Reef the Lost Cauze)
“Obligatory Braggadocio”
“Avenue Boy”
“Palette”
“It’s Alive” (feat. Saul Paul)
“Sankofa”

Above all, Gangstagrass emphasizes the value of education, 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. Gangstagrass brings a visceral message of unity as people from all walks of life get together at the live shows. “It’s about having each other’s backs, even when we don’t agree on everything,” Rench says, adding, “we have a lot more in common than we’re led to believe, and we all do better when we all do better.” 

On October 1 and from October 3-4, Gangstagrass will be in North Carolina participating in civic engagement activities. The band welcomes invitations to participate in such events on those days.

CATCH GANGSTAGRASS LIVE:

For a complete list of upcoming Gangstagrass shows, visit their website HERE.

ABOUT GANGSTAGRASS: 
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 other brilliant instrumentalists, most recently Ricky “Banjo Daddy” Mier (Banjo, Vocals), Joe Campanella Cleary (Fiddle, Vocals), Cole Quest (Dobro), Tina Lama (Bass), Alec Barker (Fiddle, Vocals), Lady Zhe (Fiddle, Vocals), Dan “Danjo” Whitener (Banjo, Dobro, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals), and B.E. Farrow (Fiddle, Bass, Vocals). With roots across the country, the ensemble has skillfully blended the traditional sounds of fiddles and banjos with contemporary hip-hop beats. This unique synergy and creative innovation have propelled the band to worldwide success. 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 Albums” chart with their 2020 album No Time For Enemies, 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 lauded Gangstagrass as “the recipe that America has been looking for until now,” ultimately reaching the quarter-finals. Their educational outreach and the vast diversity of people in their live audiences all dancing together garnered Gangstagrass The New York Times headline “This Is the Music America Needs.” 

GANGSTAGRASS ONLINE:
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Above: Gangstagrass performing live; Credit: Melodie Yvonne
L-R: Dan “Danjo” Whitener, R-SON the Voice of Reason, Dolio the Sleuth, Rench, B.E. Farrow