Flatbush Zombies

Flatbush Zombies
The Flatbush Zombies performing in 2014.
Background information
Origin Flatbush, New York, U.S.
Genres East Coast hip hop, psychedelic hip hop
Years active 2010–present
Labels The Glorious Dead Records
Associated acts
Website www.thegloriousdead.com
Members

Flatbush Zombies are an American hip hop group from the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York City, formed in 2010. The group is composed of rappers Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice and Erick Arc Elliott, with Elliott also serving as their regular record producer. The trio are part of the East Coast hip hop movement known as "Beast Coast", which also consists of fellow Brooklyn-based rap groups The Underachievers and Pro Era.

Flatbush Zombies have collaborated with various artists, including RZA, ASAP Mob, Z-Breezy, Jim Jones, Juicy J, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, and Anthony Flammia among others.[1] They have performed at music festivals such as The Hudson Project, JMBLYA, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Pemberton Music Festival, Afropunk Festival, Olly Mac Sesh, Paid Dues, North Coast Music Festival, SXSW, Roskilde, Rolling Loud in Miami and most recently Wireless in London. The group grew in popularity through two mixtapes and several music videos, leading to their debut studio album, 3001: A Laced Odyssey, in 2016.

History

Background and formation

Friends since grade school, all three members were born and raised in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York City. Erick and Meechy Darko are of Jamaican descent. One of the first things Dimitri Simms (Meechy Darko), Antonio Lewis (Zombie Juice) and Erick Elliott (The Architect) bonded over was the Japanese anime Dragon Ball Z and wrestling. During their teenage years, they began experimenting with psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin mushrooms and LSD. Zombie Juice, along with fellow Flatbush native Issa Gold of The Underachievers, specifically started looking into the indigo lifestyle. Meechy Darko said the first time doing mushrooms his ego died and had a sort of rebirth of conscience.

Mixtapes and rise in popularity (2010–2013)

Erick Arc Elliott, who had been making his own solo music, decided to bring the group together musically around 2010.[2] Their first club performance took place in 2012, at 307 in Waterloo.[3] The group's popularity grew after releasing the "Thug Waffle" video on YouTube.[3][4] Later in the year, Flatbush Zombies released their debut mixtape, titled D.R.U.G.S., which stands for "Death and Reincarnation Under God's Supervision. In 2012, Flatbush Zombies were featured on the song "Just Blowin' in the Wind" with Wu Tang Clan's RZA for the soundtrack to RZA's film The Man with the Iron Fists. "[5]

In 2013, the group collaborated with fellow Brooklyn rap group The Underachievers, on the single "No Religion".[6]

On July 29, 2013, Flatbush Zombies released a YouTube video announcing their second mixtape, BetterOffDEAD, which was released at 9:11 PM on September 11, 2013. Along with "MRAZ," the singles "Palm Trees" and "222", are included on the nineteen track mixtape BetterOffDEAD. Though Elliott is the main producer, Harry Fraud and Obey City also provide production on the mixtape. Danny Brown and Action Bronson appear on the tracks "Drug Parade" and "Club Soda" respectively. The mixtape was met with critical acclaim. It would end up being ranked at number 17 on XXL's list of the best mixtapes of 2013.[7] A remixed version of My Team Supreme featuring Bodega Bamz was featured in NBA Live 15. Flatbush Zombies also released the video for "MRAZ", a track off the group's mixtape BetterOffDEAD.[8][9]

Clockwork Indigo and 3001: A Laced Odyssey (2014–2018)

On February 13, 2014, Flatbush Zombies released a new song, "LiT". Flatbush Zombies revealed to XXL that their extended play (EP), It's All a Matter of Perspective, had been scrapped. Instead the group told XXL to "expect an album this year."[10][11]

In September 2014, it was announced that Flatbush Zombies would be touring with fellow Brooklyn-based rap group The Underachievers, and they would be collectively known as Clockwork Indigo. The two groups subsequently released a collaborative song titled "Butterfly Effect," followed by an EP titled Clockwork Indigo, on October 17, 2014. They claim that they came up with the idea of forming Clockwork Indigo, from a "strange LSD trip while watching A Clockwork Orange". During the Clockwork Indigo concert tour, the group collectively wore white clothing as did Alex's gang in the film A Clockwork Orange.

On March 15, 2015, Flatbush Zombies released a new single on SoundCloud titled "Red Eye to Paris" featuring UK Grime artist Skepta. On September 11, 2015 at 9:11 pm EST, the group released a new single and socially charged music video on YouTube titled "Blacktivist".

On January 11, 2016, the group released the single "Glorious Thugs". On the same day, the group announced that their debut album titled 3001: A Laced Odyssey, would be released March 11, 2016. On February 5, 2016, they released the first single from 3001: A Laced Odyssey titled "Bounce", followed by the official music video on February 8. On March 10, 2016, Flatbush Zombies released the second single from the album, titled "This Is It". The following day, they released the album. 3001: A Laced Odyssey received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 80, based on 7 reviews. The album sold 28,000 copies in the first week, debuting at number 10 on the US Billboard 200 chart.[12]

Vacation in Hell (2018-present)

On February 23, 2018, Flatbush Zombies released the first single off of their long awaited second studio album, Vacation in Hell. The project was released on April 6, 2018, under Glorious Dead Recordings.

Artistry

Influences

The members of Flatbush Zombies have named Onyx (group), Eminem, Tupac Shakur, Tech N9ne, OutKast, Notorious B.I.G, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Jimi Hendrix, Jay Z, Busta Rhymes, Too Short, Mac Dre, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Eazy E, Portishead, Coldplay, Etta James, Rick James, Slick Rick, Wu-tang clan, and LL Cool J as influences.

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[13]		 US R&B
[14]		 US
Rap
[15]		 AUS CAN
[16]		 FRA GER NZ SWI UK
[17]
3001: A Laced Odyssey 10223913179722729105
Vacation in Hell[18]
  • Released: April 6, 2018
  • Label: The Glorious Dead
  • Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl
 119859
[19]		13——33
[20]		44—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Album details
Clockwork Indigo
(with The Underachievers) (as Clockwork Indigo)
  • Released: October 17, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with year released
Title Album details
D.R.U.G.S.
  • Released: July 24, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
BetterOffDead
  • Released: September 11, 2013
  • Label: ElectricKoolAde Records
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B		 US
Rap
"Bounce" 2016 ——— 3001: A Laced Odyssey
"This Is It" ———
"Aries"[21]
(featuring Deadcuts)		 ——— N/A
"Lava"[22] 2017 ——— N/A
"Headstone" 2018 ——— Vacation In Hell
"U&I"
(featuring Dia)		 ———
"Vacation"
(featuring Joey Bada$$)		 ———
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Bath Salts"[23] 2012 ASAP Rocky, ASAP Ant Lords Never Worry
"Thrilla"[24] Bodega Bamz Strictly 4 My P.A.P.I.Z.
"Just Blowin' In the Wind" RZA The Man with the Iron Fists
"Mini Van Dan (Remix)"[25] A$ton Matthews, ASAP Nast, Danny Brown Versace Ragz
"Piss Test (Remix)" A-Trak, Jim Jones, El-P, Flosstradamus Fool's Gold Presents: Loosies
"36 Chamber Flow" N/A
"Mood Swings" 2013 Overdoz, Worlds Fair N/A
"No Religion"[26] The Underachievers N/A
"New Brooklyn" Dyme-A-Duzin, The Underachievers The New York Renaissance
"Inf Beams" N/A
"Tomorrow's Gone"[27] Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, Nacho Picasso, Danny Brown Kismet
"Camouflage Dons" Statik Selektah, Smif-n-Wessun Extended Play
"My Jeep" Joey Badass, The Underachievers Summer Knights EP
"TLC"[28] 2014 A$ton Matthews, Action Bronson Aston 3:16
"Believe in the Shield"[29] Smoke DZA Ringside 2
"97.92" Trash Talk CONS EP VOL. 1
"Modern Mayhem" CONS EP VOL. 2
"Bring Em Out" 2015 Bodega Bamz Sidewalk Exec
"Good Knight" Kirk Knight, Joey Badass, Dizzy Wright Late Knight Special
"A Glorious Death" 2017 ASAP Twelvyy 12
"What Happens" ASAP Mob, Pro Era Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy

Music videos

List of music videos, with directors, showing year released
Title Year Director(s)
"Thug Waffle" 2012 Luke Monaghan[30]
"S.C.O.S.A." The Madbury Club[31]
"Face-Off" Phillip Annand[32][33]
"MRAZ" 2013
"Death" TONE and Vinny Picone[34]
"My Team Supreme 2.0"
(featuring Bodega Bamz)		 2014 The Last American B-Boy[35]
"Thugnificense" Juice[36]
"Palm Trees" A Plus Filmz[37]
"Blacktivist" 2015 Mario Pfeifer[38]
"Bounce" 2016 A Plus Filmz
"This Is It" Phillip Annand
"Smoke Break/Fly Away" Fredo Tovar/Scott Fleishman/EDWIN
"Trade-Off" Jayga Rayn
"Headstone” 2018 Luke Monaghan
"Vacation feat. Joey Bada$$” The Madbury Club

References

  1. ↑ "Flatbush Zombies". HotNewHipHop.
  2. ↑ Anderson, Errol (March 11, 2013). "Graveyard Shift - Flatbush Zombies". Clash. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Reid, Shaheem (May 8, 2013). "Flatbush Zombies Are Rocking Dead". XXL. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ Mlynar, Phillip (February 1, 2012). "Flatbush Zombies Want to Be Decapitated or Taxidermied". MTV. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  5. ↑ Breihan, Tom (July 25, 2012). "Mixtape Of The Week: Flatbush Zombies - 'D.R.U.G.S.'". Stereogum. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  6. ↑ Bromwich, Jonah (March 13, 2013). "Tracks: Flatbush Zombies / The Underachievers - 'No Religion'". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on May 17, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  7. ↑ "The 25 Best Mixtapes Of 2013". XXL Mag.
  8. ↑ Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (February 13, 2013). "Flatbush Zombies: Brooklyn Rap Trio Spreads Acid-Splashed Gospel". Spin. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  9. ↑ Thomas, Chris (February 7, 2013). "Flatbush Zombies – 'MRAZ' Video". HipHopWired. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Flatbush Zombies". exclaim.ca.
  11. ↑ "Flatbush Zombies announce new EP, It's All A Matter Of Perspective, stream "LiT"". Consequence of Sound.
  12. ↑ "Rihanna's 'Anti' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart - Billboard". Billboard.
  13. ↑ "Flatbush Zombies Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Flatbush Zombies Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Flatbush Zombies Chart History: Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Flatbush Zombies Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  17. ↑ "CHART: CLUK Update 19.03.2016 (wk11)". UK Singles Chart. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Vacation In Hell by Flatbush Zombies on iTunes". Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  19. ↑ "ARIA Chart Watch #468". auspOp. April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  21. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/hu/album/aries-feat.-deadcuts-single/id1174317471?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
  22. ↑ https://open.spotify.com/track/1XhLw67ugntZ0BeIBzvimO?si=c-QwKAg7Qiu6syyTCPv7pA
  23. ↑ Breihan, Tom (August 28, 2012). "Download A$AP Mob Lord$ Never Worry Mixtape". Stereogum. Spin Media. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Bodega Bamz: Strictly 4 My P.A.P.I.Z. Mixtape (Noisey Exclusive)". Noisey.vice.com. 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2014-05-29.
  25. ↑ Legend (2012-11-06). "A$ton Matthews – Min Van Dan (Remix) (feat. Danny Brown, A$AP Nast & Flatbush ZOMBiES) | OnSMASH". Freeonsmash.com. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  26. ↑ "Flatbush Zombies / The Underachievers "No Religion"". Pitchfork. 2013-03-013. Archived from the original on 2014-05-19. Retrieved 2014-05-29. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ↑ "Download Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire's Kismet Mixtape | News". Pitchfork. 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  28. ↑ Hardy, Jasmine (March 17, 2014). "Aston Matthews "Aston 3:16" Release Date, Cover Art, Tracklist, Download & Mixtape Stream". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  29. ↑ Nicolas James (7 April 2014). "Smoke DZA - Believe In The Shield Feat. Flatbush Zombies - Download & Listen [New Song]". HotNewHipHop.
  30. ↑ "Youtube - Flatbush Zombies - Thug Waffle (Prod. By Erick Arc Elliott)". Youtube.
  31. ↑ "Youtube - Flatbush Zombies - S.C.O.S.A. (Prod. By Erick Arc Elliott)". Youtube.
  32. ↑ "Youtube - Flatbush Zombies - Face - Off (L.S.Darko) (Prod. By Erick Arc Elliott)". Youtube.
  33. ↑ "Youtube - Flatbush Zombies - MRAZ (Prod. Erick Arc Elliott)". Youtube.
  34. ↑ "Youtube - Flatbush ZOMBiES - Death [VIDEO] (Prod. By Erick Arc Elliott)". Youtube.
  35. ↑ "Youtube - Flatbush ZOMBiES - My Team Supreme 2.0 Music Video feat. Bodega Bamz (Prod. by The Architect)". Youtube.
  36. ↑ "Youtube - Flatbush ZOMBiES - Thugnificense Music Video (Prod. by The Architect)". Youtube.
  37. ↑ "Youtube - Flatbush Zombies - Palm Trees Music Video (Prod. By The Architect)". Youtube.
  38. ↑ "Youtube - Flatbush ZOMBiES - Blacktivist". Youtube.
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