The Off Daze Talk Roller Rinks, Positive Attitudes & Being One With The Universe

When I was gifted the opportunity to dish up the slices of opinion now known as pRhymetime, I already had a list of rappers and hip hop enthusiasts I wanted to speak to. 

Bold musicians from all walks of life that have changed and continue to change the way I feel about music. Cunninlynguists (a group from Lexington, Kentucky and Atlanta) would have been in the top five. So when half the members announced new side project The Off Daze (composed of Deacon The Villain and Natti with Cunnilynguists producer Kno substituted by Sheisty Khrist), and dropped their debut LP Couple’s Skate, I hit ‘em up to talk me through how this masterpiece came to be.

“In November of 2010, Sheisty and I did a project called Niggaz With Latitude; a super grimey, lo-fi-ish, sample-based, underground vibe,” Deacon tells. “Shortly after, we met with our homie Phatkatt and envisioned what, we thought, would be Niggaz With Latitude 2. We wanted to add Natti to the group and flip the entire concept on its head... Make a roller-skate album. We didn't actually start on it until November of 2017, but it was always tucked away in the filing cabinet. Something we would bring up occasionally over some of Sheisty's rare bourbon.”

The album is intrinsically unique, complex, and far removed from modern mainstream rap. The silky southern demeanour saturates perfectly curated funk and disco beats, all the while marrying the tightest production like twisting one up at sunrise. This is unrivalled in how we make hip hop music here in Aus; if De La Soul didn’t make you search for your roller skates trust me, this definitely will! I asked if that disco vibe was something searched for or destined from the outset of Couple’s Skate. 

“Both,” replied Natti. 

“I think it’s safe to say, we had a direct sound in our head,” Sheisty adds. “But once we were all together, we all brought our individual talents. Natti took that original concept that Deac and I had and made it more. His hook writing and conceptualising took it to the next level. Shot steroids in its ass!”

“Ha, teamwork made the dream work,” compliments Deacon.

The production on sequence and mix holds its own even when you strip it back to instrumental. Sometimes when you listen to some of the mainstream dross we get nowadays the beats can lack more than four notes, maybe with a lil' Auto-Tune (sigh). So when we’re given something unapologetically diverse and wildly imaginative that celebrates cross-genre, we turn it up to 11.

“I am a lover of all forms of music,” says Natti. “Making this album felt like Tai Chi. One with the universe. Let all styles combine and create a free-flowing thing."

“Yeah,  equally on that,” Sheisty agrees. 

And like all great hip hop, it’s no stranger to addressing the real shit. Here and there on roller rink dancefloor the MCs intricately insert their unique opinions about the smoke and mirrors of planet Earth. The lyrical prowess is nothing short of incredible, creatively approaching several social issues. Some call it “conscious” (I call those people “stupid”) when really it’s just addressing your surroundings, being aware of the social environment and having an opinion. I wonder with the current state of politics in the US (forgetting the fuckin' shambles ours is in) if the group adheres to or is hesitant of potential ramifications.

“We didn’t feel like we sold our souls to make an album that would resonate popularly,” replies Sheisty. “We stuck to our principles, but we made it in a way that was fun. The most serious songs are Twisted Love Song and Ascension II. We put what mattered to us in the record, but we didn’t bog it down with social commentary. The world is too heavy as it is so we didn’t want to make an album that was too heavy. We wanted it to be fun, danceable and funky.”

“We all came from backgrounds where we tackled issues head-on with blunt force," contributes Natti. "But to show that we are not those people all the time. We have fun too and we relate to people that have fun too, you know? We don’t just sit on a mountain top all the time, pondering life’s problems. Sometimes you want to just grab somebody close to you and have a good time. Put the world's problems on pause, they’ll definitely wait for you.”

Upon listening you may also notice the project steers entirely clear of sampling. Again portraying its distinctive quality, the soundscape and lyrical prowess you’re listening to have come entirely from the dreamy imagination of the outfit and their associates.

“We've always been blessed to know really dope musicians,” says Deacon. “People that far exceed me in musical talent. I know just enough music theory to speak the language.”

I’ve been jamming to this for a couple weeks now, and I love asking artists how they see their dream perceived. How are we supposed to consume this? Where? Was that track about heart-desiring love, or heartbreaking love? Do I really need roller skates and coordination to get down to this!? What's it all about?

“Life!" answers Sheisty. "I feel like this is a roll your window down soundtrack to the fun aspect of your life. Being with a loved one. That type of shit. This record is for living. A life fulfilled. This is about sheer joy and ecstasy. To help you forget what’s fucked up in the world."

“The new jack swing guys dancing in unison, like, 'I'm singing about you, girl!'” laughs Natti.

“This music makes you high," adds Sheisty. "It’s euphoric. This album gives you permission to let go."

“None of us can be bothered all the time," affirms Deacon. "It's not healthy. Work hard, play hard. It's cliché, but it's sometimes needed. This music is therapeutic, it's a re-charge. Trump's about to run for office again and we gotta be ready for it.” 

I cross my fingers as I know I have to bring the interview to a close - so, can we see them Down Under any time soon?

“Bring us out!” says Sheisty.

“If they’ll let me in the country, I’m there!” adds Natti.

“Yeah, Natti might have some legal roadblocks that we’ll need some help with," shares Deacon. "But, he’s 20 years removed from being an outlaw, so hopefully that helps.”

From some of the dopest in the game, I’m sure we’re all happy to help. Get your skates on, go check out The Off Daze.