SCRUB and ACE HA

Scrub and Ace Ha's Aerosmith-inspired rap is the final part of a series celebrating the joys of Classic Rock.

Rapper Scrub and producer Ace Ha have released Plastic Rock vol. IV, the fifth part of a series that uses classic rock songs as a basis for something altogether more different. The latest song to enjoy the Plastic Rock treatment is Aerosmith's already-funky Last Child, the lead single from 1976's Rocks album.

"We're both from the Midwest where classic rock is king, Scrub tells Musical Notes Global. "The things I really loved, like skateboarding and hip hop, were on the fringe, but squealing guitar was in abundance. Those influences eventually sunk in, so it felt completely natural to turn a few of these anthems on their heads.

"Each song in the series is stylistically different so the five videos together serves as a good introduction to where we venture musically. This series is intended to be fun and maybe encourage people who don't typically check for hip hop to have a listen."

The first four releases in the series were based on Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4, Joe Cocker's Feelin' Alright, Golden Earring's Radar Love and Bachman Turner Overdrive's Takin' Care Of Business.

"For our fifth instalment of Plastic Rock we wanted to do something more slamming and abrasive," says Scrub. "Ace hit me with this Aerosmith flip and I knew instantly it was perfect. It reminded me of some of my favourite Rick Rubin joints. To make things more interesting, I laced the verse with the titles of 18 songs from Aerosmith’s catalogue. Can you find them all?"

Well, can you? - Classic Rock Magazine

Known for an energetic and inspired performance, veteran emcee Scrub , a St. Louis native,

has teamed up with LA-based producer Ace Ha to create an updated sound harkening back to a classic hip hop era.

The duo’s beats and raps weave elements of golden-era Boom Bap, classic rock, soul, and funk, all interspersed seamlessly with progressive sounds and intricate lyrics. Ranging from lighthearted storytelling to biting social critiques, Scrub and Ace Ha deliver a listening experience that is both engaging and heartfelt.

Now the duo are taking classic rock songs and putting their own rap twist on them. They’re calling it Plastic Rock. The group recently shared the first video from the series (http://ghettoblastermagazine.com/2017/scrub-ace-ha-share-plastic-rock-vol-1/) and now Ghettoblaster has the pleasure of premiering the second video from this project, which is inspired by Joe Cocker’s “Feelin’ Alright,” which you can enjoy below.

This is what Scrub had to say about it:

“This was a fun one to make and came very easily. I’ve always loved this joint and wanted to flip this beat for a long time. Joe Cocker’s Woodstock performance still busts me up every time I see it. I met Dave Mason a few times, who wrote the original and told me he slapped it together in an hour. I was thinking a lot about the virtues of being self-reliant at the time and this felt like a perfect match. This was about taking your own path and doing for self, for better or worse.”

With each new installment of the “Plastic Rock” video series comes a fresh blend of clever lyrical content and intricate beats, producing Scrub and Ace Ha’s one-of-a-kind sound. The pair is set to release a total of five rock inspired hip-hop tracks, with a new video debuting roughly every two weeks.

This is what Scrub said about the full series:

“Ace and I are both from the Midwest, where classic rock reigns supreme, like it or not. Growing up, the things I really loved, like skateboarding and hip hop, were on the fringe, but squealing guitar was in abundance. Those influences eventually sunk in, so it felt completely natural to turn a few of these anthems on their heads.” - Ghettoblaster Magazine

If you've never heard of Scrub and Ace Ha, well then, it's about time you did. The producer-emcee duo that's making waves in the hip-hop scene recently talked to MNGBlog about their influences, how they met, and their latest collaboration: the "Plastic Rock" YouTube series.
Los Angeles-based Ace Ha spins the beats, St. Louis native Scrub spits the verses. Have a listen to any of their collaborations and it instantly becomes obvious that the musical chemistry that exists between the two industry veterans is electric.

However, this partnership might never have happened if it wasn't for the help of a mutual friend. On how they finally joined forces, Ace recounted: "I was looking for rappers to do a couple of songs for a movie soundtrack I had been asked to submit to, and Scrub came highly recommended. The results were so compelling that it just seemed like a no-brainer that we would continue to work." Scrub agreed: "Yeah, that very first song we made together is still one of my favorites and was the catalyst for us teaming up. We'll be releasing a video for that one soon. It's been all gravy since then. Ace is so prolific, I just try and keep up."

The duo is now blending their unique individual styles--each marked with the footprints of so many fantastic sounds and artists that have gone before them--to form an explosive, intriguing fusion bursting with funky old school vibes.

Ace and his brilliant beats have been especially impacted by artists like George Martin, DJ Muggs, J Dilla, and Prince Paul. "[M]ore or less anyone in pursuit of their own sound," he said. "I have always been inspired by artists who follow their creative impulses no matter where it leads them. I've always thought that it is important for an artist--once they have mastered the basics--to blaze a trail for themselves. When a genre falls into a loop of reiteration and then shameless imitation, it falls on hard times. I respect artists that resist the temptation to cash in on the latest crazes."

The long-time producer also provided some insight into how living in the entertainment capital of the world has affected him and his work. "L.A. has definitely opened my eyes as to what it means to be professional," Ace told MNGBlog. "The place is just CRAWLING with talented people, and if you don't stay on top of your game at every moment, the powers that be here will let you know. You get a real sense that there are a zillion cats nipping at your heels, competing for the light of day. I grew up in Indiana and the vibe there is very different. You can just be above average and shine there, but that shit gets no play here. The practical upshot is that I've had to package my off-beat, left-of-center impulses into a shape that is palatable to the average listener. It's OK to be fiercely unique, but if you don't trim that 9-minute raga down to 3 minutes and put in a hook, you can forget it. L.A. has taught me that."

Rapper Scrub's flow and delivery are super sharp and completely on point, his overall persona no doubt a compelling force in the industry. The emcee revealed that he is heavily influenced by older blues music, a flavor that is audible in his work. "My mom had a huge record collection when I was young, mostly blues and soul, and that was my entertainment most of the time," he explained. "Plus I'm from St. Louis which was home to Chuck Berry, Ike Turner, Fontella Bass, Oliver Sain and so many more. Blues musicians provided much of the blueprint for being an entertainer that hip hop artists use today. As far as song writers I would say Ice Cube, Slick Rick, Bob Dylan, Cee Lo, Outkast, Slug, Nas, to name a few." As much as it has seemingly been a blessing to work and live in a city that has produced such incredible talent throughout the decades, Scrub also acknowledges that it is not easy to grow a career there. "St. Louis is a tough market to be an artist in as the opportunities are pretty limited," he said. "The silver lining to that is people collaborate across all kinds of styles and genres and are willing to experiment with new ideas all the time. After all, there isn't much to lose. So living here has greatly expanded my sound through working with artists I may not have been exposed to otherwise."

2016 brought satisfying success for the new duo through their vivid throwback-like debut video "Anita Ride." A bouncing and endearing ode to a hoopty, the video has received play in Footlocker stores internationally (you've probably seen it if you've visited one sometime during the past year). "I'm guessing that Scrub has had a bucket or two in his day. I know I have!" Ace exclaimed. "The popularity of that particular joint is due to the universal nature of the subject. I would say more often than not, a person has had to deal with driving something that ain't easy on the eyes. But it doesn't just mean a car, it could be anything; on a more fundamental level, it has to do with valuing the important aspects of oneself and eschewing the superficial shit."

Indeed, the song appears to derive from personal experience, as Scrub confirmed that he has, in fact, been the owner of a few jalopies himself. He told MNGBlog: "My first car was a Mazda GLC, not a scrap of fabric left on the interior seats, just foam. And the passenger door didn't open so everyone bailed in and out through the window Dukes of Hazard style. Had more than a few junkers after that too. Shitty cars build character and are always hilarious."

Sharing a common denominator in hailing from the Midwest, the duo's roots became a factor that has electrified their super cool new project, "Plastic Rock." The five-part YouTube video series puts a funky fresh twist on classic rock songs, mixing in thought-provoking new lyrics with a little golden-era boombap. About the series Scrub said: "Well, first and foremost I wanted this series to show our personalities and our range. We're both from the Midwest where classic rock is king. So I wanted to take that part of my upbringing and put my own spin on it. Each song in the series is stylistically different so the five videos together serves as a good introduction to where we venture musically. This series is intended to be fun and maybe encourage people who don't typically check for hip hop to have a listen."

So far, the pair has released Volumes I and II in the series, which offer a unique spin on Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4" and Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright" (check them out here and here). Come back to musicalnotesglobal.com for the next three "Plastic Rock" installments as they drop.

Scrub and Ace Ha are an official MNGBlog favorite. If you're lovin' 'em too, leave a comment below and be sure to follow them on social media:

Twitter: @ScrubMusic

Facebook: Scrub and Ace Ha

Instagram: @scrubmusic

Website: scrubandaceha.com - Musical Notes Global

I told ya’ll it was so cool/ this is how you play by your own rules/ I’m in monster mode/I got the Contra code/ so now ya’ll know that I don’t lose- Scrub



The Mozart of the Ozarks- Scrub, is at is again with L.A. beat maestro and remix killa Ace Ha. These two, unique in their own rights, blend a Midwest funk with some of that California bang bang and the result is something like organic chocolate covered cyanide; made from real ingredients, sweet as fuck, deadly.

Their latest brainchild is the five-part video series called ‘Plastic Rock’. In this series ACE takes classic rock grooves likely found in your Dad’s record collection and does work son, even if it’s jazz or the quiet storm, he can hook a beat up and convert it into hip-hop form. It’s like that with this dude.

On the Mic, Scrub has the swagger of a new school Mike D., clever, provocative, and with a touch of that kind of sarcastic humor that we all try to have when we’re shining in dark times. In the first 3 installments, our heroes flip 70’s hits by Chicago, Joe Cocker, and Golden Earring into their own realities and paint a gritty picture of life, artistry, and all funky things in between.

The latest ‘Plastic Rock’ instalment ‘Volume IV’ is Inspired by Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Scrub and Ace get to “Takin Care Of Business” as usual. Check it out below. - Locash Magazine

In 2016 the average ticket price among the top 100 North American tours was $76.55, a new record. As album sales slumped, the concert business boomed and fans have proven they are willing to shell out big bucks for a live show. I’m mostly in favor of this trend, as long as the market stays strong. That said, if I pay $70+ for a ticket,

YOUR SHOW BETTER NOT SUCK!

2016 saw the deaths of two of the world’s greatest performers, Prince and David Bowie. The passing of these legends made me question if the art of performing was being buried with them. Of course, that is not the case. Plenty of artists still know how to deliver an engaging show. Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Sturgill Simpson and Beck come to mind for mainstream acts. That level of performer does however seem to be in the minority.

Labels often groom artists now, where before they were seasoned by empty rooms and sketchy motels. Many of today’s artists haven’t earned their stage chops the old fashioned way, through trial and error. In addition, festivals have seen the almighty jam band replaced with deejays playing electronic music. I am not interested in arguing the merits of any particular artist or genre’s musical credibility. I am simply suggesting that performers lucky enough to fill large venues and charge big ticket prices owe the crowd something extra to make the experience memorable.

There are literally endless ways to improve a live show and countless sources of inspiration to draw from. That’s the reason I find boring concerts so unacceptable. For the big budget tours there really is no excuse. But the average band that is scraping by, living in a van, should also aim to be more creative with live shows. Here’s a few suggestions that require very little investment of time or money.

Invite musical guests to join you on stage. Have you collaborated with other vocalists or players? Do you have a friend that does obnoxious solos and is a total spaz? Maybe you know a young, budding musician that could add an inspirational moment to your set? This is an easy way to briefly switch things up and add depth to your show.
Hire some dancers. Or a magician. Or possibly a fire breather, a cheer squad, an orchestra, a clown – whatever. If you know someone that is talented and interesting, try and incorporate them into your own show. Give your audience something else to look at, if only for a song.
Use technology. Artists on any budget can now afford a decent projector. Don’t know what to project? Go to internetarchive.org and download public domain videos that fit your style. Projection mapping opens up a whole new realm of possibilities as well. There is also LED string and tape that you can use to light up just about anything and sync it with your music. 3D cameras, holograms and virtual reality will all likely play a role in future live entertainment.
Offer remixes or mashups. Tired of playing your hit song over and over? Switch it up and give your fans something they can only hear at your live show. I saw Snoop Dogg once in a small venue that only holds 800 people. He had a full band and they seemed to thrive in that intimate environment. He played all his hits to entirely new beats, against conventional wisdom, and the crowd ate up every second.
Know your strengths and play to them. If you’re not a singer, don’t sing. If you’re not a rapper, don’t rap. Not a guitar player? Don’t try to do a solo. Get the drift? I’m all for experimenting and doing the unexpected, but if those experiments fall flat it can become the only thing anyone remembers. Choose wisely and remember, vibe is more important than anything else.
The financial models in the music industry have changed enormously in the past two decades and labels are scrambling to maintain profit margins. 360 deals have become the norm and artists now rely on touring for the bulk of their income, hence the price hikes. That is why its essential for musicians make the necessary investments, both artistically and monetarily, to ensure they deliver the best possible experience.

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scrubandaceha.com

facebook.com/ScrubAndAceHa

twitter.com/ScrubMusic

instagram.com/scrubmusic

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Guest post written by Scrub - Concert Crap

Some of you might remember the disastrous hip-hop meets country song, “Accidental Racist” by Brad Paisley and LL Cool J in 2013. We appreciated their good intentions but the song was an epic fail in terms of genre blending. There probably won’t be another genre blending track as popular as “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith and Run D.M.C., but St. Louis, Missouri and Los Angeles, California hip-hop duo Scrub and Ace Ha hope to create the next genre blending hit. The duo combines their love for classic rock and hip-hop into a subgenre they call “Plastic Rock”.

The music video for “Plastic Rock Vol. 1” is inspired by Chicago’s “25 or 6 To 4”. Ace Ha’s beat has a southern rock meets boom bap feel that fits Scrub’s country grammar (respect to Nelly). Their unique sound might shake up the culture and inspire other classic rock meets hip-hop songs. - Garden State Hip Hop

Scrub and Ace Ha are a hip-hop duo from St. Louis/Los Angeles respectively who are utilizing classic rock and merging it with a hip-hop twist to create an entirely unique experience for listeners. Both boys were raised in the Midwest where classic rock ruled over all, so they turned to their roots with the "Plastic Rock" YouTube series. This series delivers the flavor of the classics you once loved, combined with the passion and ingenuity of this hip-hop duo. Fans of Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper, and J Cole will enjoy this series.

We here at Kill the Music are proud to premiere the first video out of the series, inspired by Chicago's "25 or 6 To 4" . The duo plans to continue release more of the series over the weeks to come. Check out Plastic Rock Vol. 1 below! - Kill the Music

Fresh off the success of their debut video "Anita Ride" (2016), American hip hop duo Scrub and Ace Ha have just released their new video "Plastic Rock Vol. 1."
A spin off of Chicago's 1970 hit "25 or 6 to 4," the video is the intriguing first installment in the duo's "Plastic Rock" YouTube series, which sheds a new light on popular classic rock songs by weaving in boombap beats and conscious, thought-provoking lyrics.

Both Scrub and Ace Ha have roots in the Midwest and were inspired by the classic rock sounds they heard growing up in creating the series. "Growing up, the things I really loved, like skateboarding and hip hop, were on the fringe, but squeal-ing guitar was in abundance," Scrub explained. "Those influences eventually sunk in, so it felt completely natural to turn a few of these anthems on their heads."

"Plastic Rock Vol. 1" confronts a huge conflict that so many of us face during our lifetimes: doing what we're "supposed" to/"should" do or doing what makes us happy. "[...] Our first installment touches on a lot [of] ideas and is probably the most provocative of the series. I see a lot of people in a rut doing things they think they are supposed to, rather than what they want to be doing," Scrub said. "When I ask 'Are you really here to try and dance with the Devil?' I'm thinking of all those caught in the rat race and blind to the consequences of all work and no play. As an artist, this concept is very familiar. I've had to make endless sacrifices and endure criticism and judgment from every direction about what I should be doing with my life. This has always done nothing but fuel my fire."

Check out "Plastic Rock Vol. 1" below and make sure you come back to musicalnotesglobal.com to check out the following installments. - Musical Notes Global

Scrub and Ace Ha have previously released two installments of the "Plastic Rock" Youtube series, taking classic rock songs and giving them new life with a hip-hop twist. Today, Concert Crap premieres the third video, which draws inspiration from Golden Earring's "Radar Love."

“Who’s your favorite 70’s Dutch rock band?" asks Scrub, alluding to Golden Earring. "Ace got this one bouncing and I gave a few nods to my hometown of St. Louis. I actually really like the original song and we thought the tempo was perfect for a rapid-fire rhyme scheme. Be on the lookout for a full length remix in the near future.”

With each new installment of the "Plastic Rock" video series comes a fresh blend of clever lyrical content and intricate beats, producing Scrub and Ace Ha's one-of-a-kind sound. The pair is set to release a total of five rock inspired hip-hop tracks, with a new video debuting roughly every two weeks.

For fans of: Childish Gambino, J Cole, Chance the Rapper, Hopsin - Breathing the Core

Learn more about Scrub & Ace Ha in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! So, now that 2016 is over, what are some words you would use to describe the year for you?

It was a year of preparation and groundwork. We’re making sure to hit the ground running, it’s important that we come out swinging with really consistent, quality work!

What have been some of the highlights for the band? What are you most excited about for 2017?

The launch of the new video series is going to be really dope. It’s a singles driven market and video an especially important aspect. We’re looking forward to just carpet-bombing the eyes and ears of an unsuspecting public!

Did you any of you make New Year’s Resolutions?

To explore any opportunities that present themselves! It is a brutally competitive game and an artist shouldn’t leave any stones un-turned in pursuit of an edge.

Growing up, did you both always want to be musicians? Can you recall some of your earliest musical memories?

As a kid I [Ace Ha] had no interest in being in the music game, I was much more interested in seeing where street skating would take me. Make no mistake, music has been an extremely important thing in my family; grandparents at Julliard, cousins in music, my step-mother was a music teacher. But I had no musical aspirations of my own until the end of High School, and I more or less fell into it, via a talent-show prank.

How did Scrub and Ace Ha first come to be?

I was tapped to produce some music for Zephyr Benson’s movie Straight Outta Tompkins. I put out a call to a lot of MCs I knew and one of them told me I should hit up his boy Scrub. I did and the song he did over one of my beats was BANGING. Like seriously, I got some good songs from some of the other cats, but Scrub’s was CRAZY good. I thought to myself, “this could really be something,” and I assume that Scrub thought the same, so we got busy and here we are.

How did you come up with your name? Was it hard to choose one name?

Ha, it’s just our rap names put together. Sort of harkening back to the days of the MC / DJ groups: Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, Kool G Rap and Polo, like that.

Why do you think you get along so well together?

Scrub is laid back as fuck, I can’t imagine anyone not getting along with him!! I think it also has to do with neither of us being diva douchebags, too. It ain’t like we’re in competition with each other for the limelight; we just work together on songs that are ill.

What is it like working with each other when one of you lives in St. Louis and the other lives in LA?

It presents challenges for sure. It’s nice to be able to interact with cats on songs in real-time, sitting in the studio together, tweaking songs, eating lunch, drinking, whatever, but Scrub and I don’t have that luxury yet. The process is slowed down, somewhat, and that can be a little frustrating. On the other hand, if it weren’t for the internet, we wouldn’t be a group now, so I count it as a blessing.

Can you please elaborate on your “Plastic Rock” sound? What does that mean exactly? How did you come up with this sound?

The adjective “plastic” means malleable and transient it nature. With this series we’ve taken classic rock and roll – in terms of both audio samples and sensibility – and re-contextualized it in a hip hop framework. It’s bent, but not broken!

What’s been the most surprising thing about the music industry to you?

The rise of some truly, truly untalented stars. That may seem grouchy, but the record labels seem to have abdicated their role as gatekeepers. Can you imagine, for instance, an NBA full of cats that can’t dribble? It’s crazy. That’s not to say that there aren’t a lot of talented cats in the music game, but the ratio is mad skewed!

What has been the most challenging part about it for you both?

Probably working through the internet. It’s weird having your crew a thousand miles away!

Who are some of your favorite artists and what bands continue to inspire the band’s music? Who would you both love to work with in the future?

There are some cats that really keep me on my toes, production-wise. The whole Strange Music label, the Funk Volume label, this cat Sikwitit. I listen to a lot of new artists to see what new ideas are popping. As far as working with other cats, I don’t know; I’m pretty content with getting these joints with Scrub out! It would be dope to go on tour with cats that are in line with our ideals of quality and uniqueness!

When you aren’t performing, working in the studio, what do you like to do for fun? How do you all unwind from it all?

Skate, video games, chill with my girl, keep up on geopolitics.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

That it is rad to just do what moves you, rather than just swallow what the industry tells you is cool. That extends beyond music, I mean it in every arena: dress how you wanna dress, talk how you wanna talk, say what you wanna say. You don’t need Coca-Cola to tell you what’s dope. Just listen to yourself.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourselves or your music?

Scrub and Ace Ha got that ill shit! Thanks for chatting with us! - All Access Music