Super Duty Tough Work on jazz and hip-hop influences

This article was originally published via Afros in tha City.

Super Duty Tough Work is the brainchild of Canada-based Brendan Grey. Though Grey fronts the band and does the majority of the writing, he is backed by several highly skilled musicians from all over the globe, with most shows being characterized by a seven-piece ensemble on the stage together. Though some describe the band’s sound as “alternative hip hop” or “jazz-influenced rap,” Grey finds that these sort of specific, genre-based correlations do not necessarily encapsulate all that the band is.

“If I had to describe this project with a genre…I mean a lot of people want to describe this music as jazz, and there’s some elements of jazz,” says Grey. “But it’s just rap. It’s hip hop. It has some jazz elements, absolutely, but then we have to talk about how jazz and hip hop came from the same place!”

Super Duty Tough Work’s tracks have an elevating vibe that is reminiscent of the soulful boom bap era that De La Soul is owed homage for precipitating. However, there is something completely indescribable about the sound of Super Duty Tough Work, an element that makes the sound of this band all their own. With smooth jazz licks and ear-grabbing sound design laid over expertly arranged beats, each song incorporates classic raw drums and unique percussion with soul-hitting bass lines that perfectly cradle the vocals. In addition to this, the message is so intently laid down on each track in a way that makes each song feel like an important piece of a bigger story.

Super Duty Tough Work performed on Saturday, February 19th at Block Heater 2022.

Listen to their most recent album, 'Studies in Grey'