Blending the soul of bluegrass with the grit of hip-hop, Gangstagrass brings a genre-bending fusion of banjo, beats, and bars to the Newberry Opera House. Led by creator Rench, this Emmy-nominated band delivers a high-energy show that has captivated fans worldwide, from the theme of Justified to the main stages at Glastonbury and beyond.
Presented by: Dufford
Blazing a trail between two seemingly distant genres, Gangstagrass combines bluegrass and hip-hop into a genre-bending sound that defies labels. The brainchild of producer and singer-songwriter Rench, Gangstagrass brings together nimble bluegrass pickers and hard-hitting MCs to create music that resonates with audiences worldwide. This audacious blend first gained mainstream attention when FX’s Justified chose their track “Long Hard Times to Come” as its Emmy-nominated theme song. From there, Gangstagrass captured the imaginations of listeners with albums that marry hip-hop’s rhythm and flow with the grit and soul of bluegrass, hitting a high note in 2020 when No Time for Enemies topped the Billboard bluegrass charts.
Today, Gangstagrass is known not only for its groundbreaking recordings but for electrifying live performances that thrill fans from SXSW to Glastonbury. The lineup includes MCs R-SON and Dolio the Sleuth, banjo player Dan Whitener, fiddler B.E. Farrow, and Rench himself on guitar and beats. Together, they weave three-part harmonies and virtuosic instrumental solos with freestyle rap verses, creating an explosive, one-of-a-kind show. With a dynamic, genre-breaking sound and a spirit of pure innovation, Gangstagrass continues to redefine what’s possible in American music.
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