Codefendants Enlist Rap Legend The DOC For His First New Verse In 19 Years On New Track/Video; "Fast Ones"
Photo Credit: Nik HampshireThe hip-hop/punk fusion group Codefendants have a unique origin. Get Dead graffiti crew member Sam King was tattooing to raise money to assist incarcerated rapper Ceschi Ramos whom he was a fan of. After Ramos was released he finally met King at a legendary punk venue, the Gilman Street Project in Berkeley, California. A shared appreciation for hip-hop, punk rock, and Jameson whisky bonded the pair.
Eventually, the pair would team up with Fat Mike of NOFX. Now dubbed Codefendants, the group recorded an album for Bottles to the Ground, an imprint of Mike’s Fat Wreck Chords label. Produced by Fat Mike, the album titled This is Crime Wave is genre-fluid. Not only combining punk with hip-hop, but the album also includes elements of new-wave and flamenco and a Beatles influence.
“We were raised on hip hop & punk. To us, blending those sounds is not some cute fashion statement or gimmick that we can suddenly abandon for the next trend. I always think of that photo of Public Enemy wearing Minor Threat shirts in the 80s and realize how that image alone sums up a good chunk of my musical & cultural upbringing.”
Codefendants have just released a series of music videos they refer to as their “pentalogy” with each video considered an “episode.” The episodes in order are “Suicide by Pigs,” Get Dead,” “Bad Business,” “Def Cons,” and their latest video, “Fast Ones.” Rapper The DOC came out of retirement to work with Codefendants on “Fast Ones.” The track features the first new verses from The DOC in 19 years.
“My experience was nothing short of exhilarating, as I found myself surrounded by an ensemble of gifted individuals and luminaries from the underground hip-hop and punk rock scene. I am eagerly anticipating the release of our collective creation, and I can’t wait for all of you to witness the magic we have conjured up.”
Working with a rapper as respected as The DOC was a dream come true for Ceschi Ramos.
“Getting to record alongside the legendary DOC and watch as he crafted ferocious, wisdom-laced bars was an absolute honor. Heads in the know understand that this is a rarity, DOC doesn’t just rap on anyone’s shit, it had been many years since he unleashed the growl & we spent time together to eventually create a Codefendants call to arms theme in an organic fashion.”
The special appearances on “Get Fast” extend to the filming of the video. Codefendants recruited a diverse group of artists, athletes, and musicians to make cameos in the video.
This Is Crime Wave will drop on March 24th, 2023. Afterward, Codefendants will embark on a 10-city US tour kick-off in San Francisco on April 14th. Venezuelan punk band Zeta will open for Codefendants. In addition, many dates will see special guests added to the bill. This tour also will coincide with NOFX’s farewell tour which basically sees Fat Mike open for himself. The tour will also stop at the Lost Festival in St. Petersburg, FL on April 29th. The tour will then continue overseas in the UK.
This is Crime Wave Tour will certainly be a hot show to catch this spring. The explosive mix of genre elements and diverse crowds will make each show a unique concert-going experience. With all the talent involved, anything can happen. Even band member Sam King is a bit overwhelmed by it.
“When we were able to film the video with Indecline so much of our artist family came through - Myka 9 of The Freestyle Fellowship, 2Mex, Awol One, Factor Chandelier, Stacey Dee of Bad Cop Bad Cop, Jenn from the Bombpops, Zeta, Rick Thorne & many others…Punk Rock & Underground Hip Hop were properly represented - it was an unforgettable day,”
“With everything going on in the world right now, I just hope we don’t go to jail.”
