Bisco Smith has been rocking the hip hop underworld of NYC for over ten years now. Collaborating with artists and producers across the musical spectrum from all over the world, his track “Decompression” produced with ex NYC, now LA-based indie-phenom Cassettes Won’t Listen in 2005 has remained a fan favorite. This duo has finally reunited under the name The Freeze Tag, and, with the help of renowned street artist Bishop203 and director Vidoli, created a 5 song/video saga following the trials and tribulations of Hamster Kid, a fictionalized representation of the struggle for greatness within us all. Critics will undoubtedly draw comparisons to the Gorillaz regarding the animation and indie-rock/rap collaboration, but closer listening will reveal a depth of lyricism and content that surpasses this distant hairy mainstream cousin. Bisco’s charming vernacular and gift for visceral urban narrative is an unlikely companion to CWL’s pristine electro-pop, but the resulting project will definitely give you pause—at least until some un-freezes you.
On a separate note, Cassettes Won’t Listen has just announced a new album, KEVINSPACEY, due in June. – BrokeMC