Monthly newspaper and online publication targeting 18 to 35 year olds. The ultimate guide to the hottest parties, going out and having fun. Music, fashion, film, travel, festivals, technology, comedy, and parties! London, Barcelona, Miami and Ibiza.
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How did the name 'Horseshoe Gang' come about? Our group name used to be Untouchable Gang, and we would wear Indianapolis Colts gear cause the horseshoe is positioned like a U. We started calling our- selves Horseshoe Gang and it just stuck. You guys have a unique sound, how has being brothers influ- enced this? Being a group of brothers is by far the most unique thing about Horseshoe Gang. There's been groups of rapping siblings, but none quite like us. The chemistry and vibe we have in the studio makes us a well-oiled machine. It's super dope and we need to docu- ment our recording process one day so people understand what we mean. Being bros definitely influence our sound. You have a less than favourable view when it comes to trap mu- sic, naming your album (released April 29th) 'Anti-Trap Music'. Do you feel that this is because you have grown up in Long Beach, an area that has developed its own style, brought up in the 90's by the likes of Snoop and Dre? Absolutely! From the early '90's til the present, Long Beach has had countless artists with dope lyrics, style, and creativity. So growing up in LB has a lot to do with why we don't feel the need to conform with the rest of the rap industry. Anti Trap Music is an album that serves as a perfect example. These lame-ass rappers can spend their careers making a mil- lion songs about peddling dope to their own people. Meanwhile, the Shoe Gang will be busy trying to make well-rounded albums that reflect many aspects of life. You're lyrics are political, espe- cially in reference to the police. For us British fans can you break down the mood behind this? Well, we're four brothers from the slums who've never been to jail but had handcuffs slapped on us many times. That alone speaks volumes about what type of of- ficers we've encountered all-too often. Cops killing young Black and Brown US citizens should never be acceptable. Our song "Shoe-icide Squad" is an extreme form of protest. Part of the pro- cess to become an officer of the law should include hours of man- datory community service in the inner-city. At churches, schools, homeless shelters etc. That way, the people assigned to "protect" and serve would have experience understanding and interacting with the people who are normally viewed as criminals based on their appearance. How important is music in ex- pressing displeasure with the current system? Very important. Music has the power to shape society. James Brown was able to restore order at a concert immediately follow- ing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s as- sassination. All cause people look up to musicians. Especially those who spread messages. Songs like "Fuck The Police" and "We Are The World" changed people's lives. Who are your favourite historical figures? Socrates, Gandhi, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr. And any rapper who stands against the Shoe Gang, who will become a historical figure immediately after they fuck with us haha. If you weren't called Horseshoe Gang what would your name be? The Four-Headed Monster! If your lives had a theme song what would it be? The theme song for the show Good Times. That song fits us perfectly being that we have good times despite barely keep- ing our heads above water. Do you guys have a motto that you live by? Grind And Never Give-up. That's actually what the "GANG" rep- resents in our group name. We never give up on our grind. What does 2016 have in store for Horseshoe Gang? A ton of music videos, a tour, our Horseshoe Comics, and a bunch of supporters visiting seven13ent. com and clicking on seven 13 store to order Anti Trap Music. Shout out to Guestlist Network and every COB/Horseshoe sup- porter in the UK and worldwide. " INTERVIEW: HORSESHOE GANG ISSUE 86 / 20016 37 HIP HOP & RNB " There's been groups of rapping siblings, but none quite like us " Long Beach, Los Angeles has been home to a dynasty of game changing artists, and Horseshoe Gang are the latest to head in this direction. We got them to explain Anti Trap Music before it drops at the end of April. Tom Higson | Guestlist follow @HORSESHOEGANG