Moemaw Naedon and Calig Kontra reveal the grit behind ‘Cult Theatre’

New Orleans’ duo of Moemaw Naedon and Calig Kontra have teamed up for a nine track EP titled, Cult Theatre. The body of work is produced entirely by longtime collaborator Pyramid Tapes, who gifts the duo a plethora of smokey and macabre instrumentals to work with. The emcees connected remotely due to the pandemic and the result is a celebration of surreal, grimy hip-hop that comes to life through visually provocative lyrics, experimental songwriting, and equally chilling and booming production. 

The project opens up with “A New Abyss,” ushering listeners into a gritty, psychedelic world conjured by the rapping pair. From twisted evocative lyrics and dark aesthetics, the track sets the pace for the album as Moemaw and Calig keep the pace on the ensuing eight cuts. Tracks like “Magenta Brainwash” and “Sovereign Sirens” offer juxtaposing aesthetics strung by similar cinematic themes. The former is a mid-tempo track filled with dramatic textures while the latter is bolstered by a melancholic string arrangement that sounds like a scene from a grindhouse flick.

 

The intention of both emcees is quite clear and they stick to the theme of delivering in-your-face lyrics from start to finish but they also invite some friends to join the fray. Lyrikill and DJ Skratchmo show off their skillset on the ominous “Lucid Fragments” as they join the duo with fiery lyrics and a haunting vocal scratched hook. The final icing on the cake is the presence of  Lord Goat (fka Goretex of Non Phixion) on “Witches Sabbath,” who shows his OG status on the menacing record.

If you like your hip-hop unfiltered and seasoned with gritty textures, then Cult Theatre is exactly what you need.

 

Get Cult Theatre on all DSPs here.

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