As we continue celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop, today’s Hard Knock Radio Show focuses on one of the Bay Area’s hidden jewels: Audiopharmacy. Some playfully call them the Wu-Tang of the Bay because they roll deep with a good 15-20 members and affiliates. They see themselves as one big family who have been on the Bay Area scene as Audiopharmacy for a good 20 years, with many members engaged in Hip Hop and music for almost 30. They describe themselves as the “Renowned World Hip-Hop Ensemble (Audiopharmacy) and Cultural Community Arts Collective (Audiopharmacy Prescriptions),” representing the power of Love, Music, and Collective Liberation. This is not just a trite saying designed to gain brownie points; the group genuinely practices what they preach both on and off the stage, with many well-known activists, educators, cultural and spiritual practitioners among their ranks.
During the recent appearance on Hard Knock Radio, Teao Sense, Ras K’Dee Love/Speak, and Gina Madrid provided insights into their deep roots within Hip Hop. Whether it’s spitting bars, executing incredible skills on the turntables, or producing timeless tracks, every Audiopharmacy member goes above and beyond to hone their skills. As Teao noted in the interview, their music is healing; it keeps people grounded and sane. Their motivation stems from a rejection of the proliferation of subpar music in the market; they strive to never waste people’s time and always bring their A-game to the table. While cultivating fresh skills is essential, both Ras K’Dee and Love/Speak emphasized that everything they do is rooted in love, raising the vibration, and connecting with community and spirit. Their music serves as a ceremony that heals and elevates spirits, all while being funky as hell.
Audiopharmacy has expanded their approach to music beyond just two turntables and a mic. They embrace live instrumentation, allowing them to express themselves in diverse ways and fuse sounds that are unique and reflective of their members’ backgrounds. No genre is left unexplored when it comes to Audiopharmacy. Their goal has always been to elevate the meaning, sound, and purpose of Hip Hop, and they have undoubtedly succeeded in that endeavor.
One distinctive aspect of Audiopharmacy’s music is its timeless feel. Whether it’s a recently released track like “Middle Path,” which samples Dr. Martin Luther King, or “Ruined Lands,” from the critically acclaimed ‘Spare Change’ album, released 15 years ago, nothing sounds dated or out of sync with the current political and cultural landscape.
Central to Audiopharmacy’s essence is the concept of Indigeniety, which involves centering Indigenous voices and bringing forth key aesthetics and concepts to fuse with Hip Hop. During the interview, Ras K’Dee went into detail about his upbringing and how many traditional ways of Indigenous communities in approaching music are not too far removed from Hip Hop – from syncopated rhythms to being a drum-based people with an emphasis on an oral tradition. The group proudly highlights and centers Indigenous voices not just from Turtle Island (North America) but also from Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, South America, India, and Europe. These voices are found within their group and resonate in the many places they perform.
Audiopharmacy’s impact goes beyond the Bay Area, as they have had the honor of performing and hosting workshops internationally and domestically in various countries across the globe. Their unique sound is eclectic and avant-garde, yet firmly rooted in the voice of the people and Mother Earth.
Lastly, the group places great importance on their live performances and long-form videos. Both are experiences in themselves, with Teao noting that they are performance-based, and during the pandemic, they upped their video production game, developing innovative concepts that have become mainstays for the group.
In conclusion, Audiopharmacy stands out as a remarkable and multifaceted Hip Hop group from the Bay Area. With their deep roots in Hip Hop, commitment to healing and community, and the fusion of Indigenous voices, they have elevated the meaning and purpose of Hip Hop music. Their timeless and eclectic sound, along with their engaging live performances and visually captivating videos, solidifies Audiopharmacy’s place as a hidden gem in the vibrant world of Hip Hop. As we celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop, it’s essential to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of groups like Audiopharmacy, whose love, music, and collective liberation continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
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