biographical info
The new Modulok album YOU LOOK SO TRAGIC is here. 13 brand new tracks features Bad Brain's HR, Pacewon, 2MEX, D-Sisive and Anonymous Twist. Available via Bandcamp, iTunes, and fine record stores everywhere.
The first thing you should know about Modulok is that he makes street music. That’s not a genre; it refers to where it’s from, and the values, mentality and experiences it expresses. Modulok isn’t street the way that celebrity rapper on TV says he’s street – that clown actually lives in a gated suburban community and is more busy bbming shareholders in his new line of energy drinks than making m...usic. Modulok is Emilio Estevez in Repo Man street. Modulok is East London football hooligan street. 36 Chamber-era Wu Tang street. In other words, Modulok is street the way it meant before it became another meaningless corporate marketing gimmick.
Based in Toronto, Modulok is as international as his hometown. Born in Toronto’s east end to Guyanese and Scottish immigrant parents – raised in Guyana, Toronto and Minneapolis – and moving to Berlin in 2007 to benefit from the cult-following he has there, built over seven European tours. A life spread out over three continents, Modulok was born with music in his blood – he is the nephew of Guyanese calypso legend Dave Martins of the Tradewinds, who swept the Canadian Black Awards in the 1970s and 80s (remember those?)
Modulok’s music career emerged out of the underground hip-hop movement of the 1990s – when young bboys and bgirls adopted a DIY ethic and made rap music that was innovative and intelligent. After four full-length albums, and years of college radio love, critical acclaim and extensive touring in Europe and the U.S., Modulok delivers You Look So Tragic. Previously known for rugged yet intelligent underground rap, his new album defies simple genres, and features several collaborations – Bad Brain’s frontman HR, Pacewon of Outsidaz fame, Los Angeles underground legend 2MEX, and two hometown veterans – D-Sisive and Anonymous Twist.
Asked where his difficult-to-classify album fits in today’s musical landscape, Modulok explains. “It’s for people that like street music. The thing is, mainstream rap has gotten so poppy and dumbed down, and the indie music scene is all this pretentious hipster garbage. Both reflect the same soulless, nihilistic death-culture. But a lot of people are sick of it, and the bubble has to burst. I like to think of my album as part of the soundtrack to the end of an era.”