Experimental Saint Louis band iLLPHONiCS have recently released their fifth studio album, ‘Gone With The Trends’. ’96to99′, their new single from that album, is a celebration of the golden age of hip-hop, which inspired an entire generation, and is still deeply influential today.
All five members of iLLPHONiCS have been there right from the start of the band, and since 2006 they’ve been at the head of the most groundbreaking music to come out of the American Midwest, honing their sound with the help of live performances which has seen them on stage with the likes of The Roots, RJD2, and Lupe Fiasco. Their music is a hybrid of different musical styles and cultures, which combined with their high energy performance, means they are able to hold their audience’s attention from beginning to end.
‘Gone With The Trends’ is their most mature and cohesive album yet. Vocalist Larry “Fallout” Morris says of the album:
“the focus was on making music the way that we’ve always made it because we’ve always been into music since we were little.
“After a decade on the scene and seeing multiple trends come and go, the group was determined to make music that “will be relevant no matter what’s popular or what’s not tomorrow.”
The video for ’96to99′ was shot on the Lewis Street waterfront in St Louis, near to the Martin Luther King Bridge, and close by the Mississippi River. The focus is on a young “Fallout”, as he walks along the street, listening through his headphones to hip-hop. He sees iLLPHONiCS doing their thing on the street corner, and contributes to their funds. Soon a kid comes along trying to steal his Discman. He’s not going to stand for this, but when he catches him, he decides to share the music he loves, rather than punish him. In this way, the music passes on, from fan to fan, one generation to the next, until now where we feel its influence everywhere.
‘Gone With The Trends’ is available on iLLPHONiCS’ Bandcamp. You can find out more about the band on their Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and official website.
