Live Review: The Underachievers @ Woolly Mammoth

For a band called The Underachievers, Brooklyn rap duo AK and Issa Gold certainly seem to be exceeding expectations as they embark on their second Australian tour to promote their latest album: ‘Evermore: The Art of Duality’.

The theme of the night seemed to be all about doubles and undoing expectations.The band is comprised of two artists with contrasting rapping styles, and the themes of their latest songs explicitly explore the notion of duality within the lyrics. Likewise, the music itself varies from more subdued, trance-like backing traps that tap into the mystical side to their persona, while bass-heavy bangers distil a nervous, frenzied energy-force.

“Their music itself also goes beyond the expectations of the rap genre with lyrics about spirituality, philosophy, mysticism and everything in-between.”

As for exceeding expectations, the songs on ‘Evermore’ easily supersede the group’s debut album, a rarity in the music industry. Their music itself also goes beyond the expectations of the rap genre with lyrics about spirituality, philosophy, mysticism and everything in-between. Moreover, the band’s live performance was highly dynamic and energised, defying the usual live rap show formula, which can often be rather lacklustre with no live instrumentals, and when artists sing over their own vocals. While AK and Gold did include the studio recorded choruses on all of the backing tracks, this did not detract at all from the frenetic vibe of the night, and I would wager to say that most attendees did not even notice.

What is immediately apparent as AK and Gold take the stage is how powerful their chemistry is as long-time friends and collaborators, and how essential this is to the ethos behind The Underachievers as a band who make music about finding that connection. Although the two rappers work off each other’s energy incredibly well, they couldn’t be anymore different as artists. AK is far more confronting and coarser, while Gold evens out the edges. Their differences, of course, are a huge part of what makes them work so well as collaborators.

AK and Gold waste no time warming up the audience into a constant state of buoyancy, but things don’t get really crazy until they play Gold Soul Theory, the song that launched their careers and got the attention of Flying Lotus. The duo had been kicking about Brooklyn for a few years, making music and smoking a lot of dope, when a producer friend pushed them to collaborate. Hereafter, the duo independently released two singles. Gold Soul Theory was the one that got them played on BBC. The song was eventually heard by Flying Lotus, who was convinced after 20 seconds that he should sign them to his label Brainfeeder.

“Their differences, of course, are a huge part of what makes them work so well as collaborators.”

Good Soul Theory is the duo’s mission statement as a song about reaching beyond your personal limitations through the aid of psychedelic substances and the strength of your mind. The duo clearly distinguishes themselves from the tired clichés of rap as they sing, “No dumb niggas on our roaster, bruh” and you’d have a hard time arguing otherwise.

The Underachievers continue to play with expectations with the tune LUAM from their collaboration with Flatbush Zombies, a song marked by the repetitious anthem, “Ain’t this what you want? Love, sex, drugs?”. The crowd hungrily responds in the affirmative as they echo the lyrics, most people probably unaware of the song’s playful subtext. For anybody listening, this would have been apparent with the duo’s next tune, The Brooklyn Way, which charts their journey to overcome the tough and restrictive circumstances they grew up in.

The Underachievers’ idealised perspective is simply articulated in the repetitive chorus “Hands up if you live for love”, which could almost fool you into thinking you’re at a Christian rock concert, as opposed to an underground rap show. Amazingly, the crowd of rap enthusiasts embrace the sentiment, not only by singing along with the song, but also through their actions. Although the venue was packed and the energy positively frantic, most of the crowd were supportive and respectful toward each other. This is of course in part due to the message behind The Underachievers’ music and with the attitude presented by both AK and Gold as they prance about the stage, and make every effort to reach as close as they can to their fans.

“The Underachievers’ idealised perspective is simply articulated in the repetitive chorus “Hands up if you live for love”, which could almost fool you into thinking you’re at a Christian rock concert, as opposed to an underground rap show.”

Although The Underachievers are all about breaking rap conventions, ‘Evermore’ demonstrates an awareness of the inherent contradictions that prop up along the road to enlightenment, and is all about embracing these contradictions rather than denying or being afraid of them. Several songs on the night discuss the duo’s troubled past and brief flirtations with many of the clichés tied up with rap culture, such as their involvement with gangs and prescription pill abuse, which nicely balance out the group’s trademark odes to ego death and psychedelics. Anytime you think you’ve got The Underachievers pinned down a clever lyric clearly circumvents any clear conception.

The Underachievers hold back nothing as they close their set with old tune Midnight Augusto. Like many of their songs, Midnight Augusto is set to a reverie-inducing backing track that complement’s the band’s introspective lyrics. The Underachievers inject an extra dosage of energy into the tune, which makes the song sound far more pulsating in the live arena. In this regard, The Underachievers’ versatility is what really sets them apart as musicians and songwriters, they’re able to easily metamorphose into different sounds and personas depending on the occasion and on what they’re trying to achieve.

It’s impossible to say what will come next from The Underachievers with an attitude like this all that can be said with confidence is that it’s definitely something to be excited about!