Injury Reserve

Arizona rap trio Injury Reserve released its self-titled debut album on May 17, 2019 via Loma Vista Recordings. The group, consisting of MCs Ritchie With a T, Stepa J. Groggs and producer Parker Corey are the rap game Talking Heads with a Mystery Science Theater-like commentary on art and culture. Through the depths of the internet, they’ve always been ahead of the curve musically and aesthetically amassing a devout fan base whose only grown with the release of the first two singles/videos for “Jawbreaker” ft. Rico Nasty and Proteens and “Jailbreak The Tesla” ft. Amine.

“Jawbreaker” stirred up needed conversation calling out some of fashion’s problematic figureheads. Pitchfork pointed out that “Injury Reserve’s creativity is on display in both the song and video and the collective continuing to push the culture’s hand on an increasingly bold Ian Connor and its blatant disregard of abusers, is an added bonus.” The weekend after “Jailbreak The Tesla” dropped, someone literally hacked a Tesla Model 3.

Injury Reserve is art scene shit stirrers and with the release of each new video we’re witnessing it in real time; just one of the many reasons influential A&R Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua signed them to their new label home. The new single and video for “Koruna & Lime” directed by IR member Parker Corey, who directs all the groups videos, might be their most impressive visuals to date. Taken in one shot, the M.C. Escher-esque cinematography explores impressive camera use and angles solidifying Corey’s excellence as a director on top of being an already admired producer. The song itself features additional scratching from A-Trak that Corey interestingly explores through the camera lens.