Technical Difficulties Radio

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Technical Difficulties Radio
Song series by
Brockhampton
ReleasedMay 9–30, 2020
StudioKaufman Studios, Los Angeles, California
Genre
LabelQuestion Everything
Producer
Brockhampton chronology
Ginger
(2019) 		Technical Difficulties Radio
(2020) 		Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine
(2021)

Technical Difficulties Radio (stylized in all caps), also simply referred to as Technical Difficulties, was a series of livestreams and associated free music releases by American rap collective Brockhampton during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. Throughout the month of May, tracks were previewed on livestreams and released in sets of two or three each Friday on the groups website. Each set of singles was removed upon the release of the next tracks. The singles were self-released without the involvement of the groups label, RCA Records.[1][2]

The series marked the performance debut of Brockhampton member Jabari Manwa, who had previously served solely as a producer.[3][4][5] Matt Champion's presence was also noted, with Wren Graves of Consequence of Sound claiming that "it almost feels like the rest of Brockhampton are guesting on his solo project".[1][2]

History

On May 8, 2020, Brockhampton hosted a password-protected Twitch livestream entitled Technical Difficulties Radio. As part of the stream, Kevin Abstract announced the release of two Brockhampton albums in 2020, along with the promise of weekly, non-album singles each Friday. The same day, "N.S.T" and "Things Can't Stay The Same" were released to the groups YouTube channel and website.[6][3] On May 10, "Things Can't Stay The Same" was reuploaded with different cover art, as the original cover used a painting by Jenna Gribbon without her approval.[7]

On May 15, the group followed up with "M.O.B" and "Twisted", released in the same manner as the previous singles. At the same time, "N.S.T" and "Things Can't Stay The Same" were deleted, a pattern that would continue for the remainder of the series.[8] On May 22, "I.F.L", "Downside", and "Baby Bull" were released, and the previous set of singles were made unavailable.[4] On May 29, the final set of singles, "Chain On/Hold Me" and "Fishbone", were released.[9]

Aside from the nine tracks that were released as singles, several other songs were previewed on the livestreams, including "Bankroll", "Edamame", "Keep It Southern", and "Man on the Moon".[10]

Official releases

Finished versions of "Bankroll" and "Chain On" (the first half of "Chain On/Hold Me") were included on the groups sixth studio album, Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine, released on April 9, 2021.[11][12] On May 18, Abstract expressed a desire to officially release the remaining Technical Difficulties tracks, although he cited sample clearance as an obstacle.[13]

On November 18, 2022, "Man on the Moon" and "Keep It Southern" were released as part of Brockhampton's final studio album, TM.[14][10] During the groups final concert at The Fonda Theatre, "N.S.T" and "Baby Bull" made their live debuts, marking the only time Technical Difficulties songs were performed live.[15][16]

Composition

Several of the songs in the series utilize a "Pardon the, uh, technical difficulties" tag that is sampled from an unreleased freestyle by Jay-Z and Big L.[2][17]

The first single, "Things Can't Stay The Same", is "hard hitting rap track" with a freestyle structure built around a chipmunk soul sample of "Trouble Will Find Me" by Amnesty.[2][3][17] Kevin Abstract's verse received praise from Sophie Walker of The Forty-Five, who positively compared it to his work on the Saturation trilogy. However, she declared Matt Champion the best performer, stating that he "crackles with electricity" and complimenting his synergy with the instrumental.[2]

"N.S.T" is reminiscent of West Coast and Southern hip hop, with "body-slam basslines" and a lo-fi instrumental, according to Walker. The track features performances from Abstract, Champion, Jabari Manwa, and Bearface, with the latter's "playful" verse containing references to WWE champion Stone Cold Steve Austin.[2] Wren Graves of Consequence of Sound described Manwa's verse as "welcome", and praised Champion's "scene-stealing, face-melting performance" on both "N.S.T" and "Things Can't Stay The Same".[18] Walker also cited Champion as a highlight, describing him as having a "anarchic spirit with a quickfire verse that knocks it out the park".[2]

"M.O.B" features a sample of "Shake Your Booty" by Bunny Sigler that transitions into a "stripped-back loop that builds, adding layers of finger snaps, skittering hi-hat, and slippery bass". Nina Corcoran of Consequence of Sound compared the song to that of the groups debut, Saturation (2017).[19] "Twisted" sports a "blown-out and slowed-down beat", and features guest performances from Ryan Beatty and Christian Alexander. Corcoran compared the verses to Frank Ocean's writing.[19]

"I.F.L" is another West Coast rap song, and Champion again plays a lead role. Kath Jiang of CelebMix called the raps "catchy" and "addictive", while Graves said that "Champion runs wild on 'I.F.L'", and compared the instrumental to Dr. Dre's 2001.[1][20]

In contrast with the other singles, "Downside" is built around a "pensive" piano melody. Champion and frequent collaborator Ryan Beatty are the sole performers, with the former's verse serving as an "inspirational ode", in the words of Graves. "Baby Bull" begins with the same instrumental, but transitions into a guitar-based R&B track with a chorus from Bearface and verses from Merlyn Wood, Joba, and Champion.[1] Jiang compared "Baby Bull" to the groups double platinum single "Sugar", describing "Baby Bull" as a "spicier" version of "Sugar".[20]

"Chain On/Hold Me" utilizes a litany of samples, including "C.R.E.A.M." by Wu-Tang Clan, "Mad Crew" and "Sound of da Police" by KRS-One, and "We Almost Lost Detroit" by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson. Baltimore rapper JPEGMafia contributes a guest verse, containing references to That's So Raven, Lance Armstrong, Dua Lipa, Vine, and Street Fighter. The track also features performances from Abstract and Joba. "Fishbone" features autotune-laden singing from Manwa along with performances from Joba, Dom McLennon, Abstract, Bearface, and Wood.[5][21][22]

Songs

Song Released Notes
"Things Can't Stay The Same" May 8, 2020[23] Reuploaded on May 10 with revised cover art.[7] Removed on May 15.[24]
"N.S.T" Removed on May 15.[24]
"M.O.B" May 15[25] Removed on May 22.[26]
"Twisted"

(featuring Ryan Beatty and Christian Alexander)

"I.F.L" May 22[26] Removed on May 29.[27]
"Downside"

(featuring Ryan Beatty)

"Baby Bull"
"Chain On/Hold Me"

(featuring JPEGMafia)

May 29[27] "Chain On" was later included on Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021).[12] Removed on June 5.
"Fishbone" Removed on June 5.

Other previewed songs

Song Notes
"Bankroll"

(featuring ASAP Rocky)

Originally teased in 2018 in a trailer for the I'll Be There Tour.[11][28] Previewed during a Technical Difficulties Radio livestream.[10] A finished version was later included on Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021).[12]
"Edamame" Played during a Technical Difficulties Radio livestream.[10]
"Keep It Southern" Premiered during a Technical Difficulties Radio livestream.[10] A finished version was included on TM (2022).[14]
"Man on the Moon"

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Stream BROCKHAMPTON - "I.F.L.", "baby bull", and "downside"". 2020-05-24. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Walker, Sophie (2020-05-10). "Awaiting 'Technical Difficulties': Brockhampton's surprise tracks have us psyched for their new era". The Forty-Five. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  3. ^ a b c "Stream BROCKHAMPTON - "Things Can't Stay the Same" & "N.S.T."". 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  4. ^ a b "Brockhampton – "I.F.L," "downside" (Feat. Ryan Beatty), & "baby bull"". Stereogum. 2020-05-23. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  5. ^ a b "Stream BROCKHAMPTON - "chain on / hold me" feat. JPEGMAFIA & "fishbone"". 2020-05-31. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  6. ^ Mamo, Heran (2020-05-12). "Brockhampton Announces Two New Albums in 2020, Drops Surprise Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  7. ^ a b "Brockhampton Changes "Things Can't Stay The Same" Cover Art After Using Painting Without Permission". Genius. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  8. ^ Yoo, Noah (2020-05-16). "BROCKHAMPTON Share and Remove New Songs Again". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  9. ^ "Brockhampton – "chain on / hold me" (Feat. JPEGMAFIA)" & "fishbone"". Stereogum. 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Top 10 BROCKHAMPTON Albums". Live365 Blog. 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  11. ^ a b Beckford), Slade (Sarah (2021-07-14). "Searching for the Light: Reflections on Brockhampton's ROADRUNNER release show". The Stony Brook Press. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  12. ^ a b c Dazed (2021-04-01). "Brockhampton reveal the tracklist for upcoming album, Roadrunner". Dazed. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  13. ^ Dazed (2021-05-19). "Kevin Abstract on the end of Brockhampton: 'We all love each other'". Dazed. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  14. ^ a b "Brockhampton's 'TM': Tracklist, Release Date & Other Info To Know". UPROXX. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  15. ^ Shutler, Ali (2022-11-20). "Watch Brockhampton play their final concert at LA's Fonda Theatre". NME. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  16. ^ "BROCKHAMPTON Setlist at The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  17. ^ a b "Brockhampton - "Things Can't Stay The Same" & "N.S.T."". Stereogum. 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  18. ^ "Stream BROCKHAMPTON - "Things Can't Stay the Same" & "N.S.T."". 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  19. ^ a b "Stream BROCKHAMPTON's New Songs "M.O.B" & "twisted"". 2020-05-16. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  20. ^ a b Jiang, Kath (2020-05-23). "Brockhampton release three new tracks". CelebMix. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  21. ^ "Brockhampton – "chain on / hold me" (Feat. JPEGMAFIA)" & "fishbone"". Stereogum. 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  22. ^ brimstin, chelsea (2020-06-01). "Listen: BROCKHAMPTON share new tracks 'chain on / hold me (feat. JPEGMAFIA)' and 'fishbone'". Indie88. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  23. ^ Richards, Will (2020-05-09). "Brockhampton return with two new songs – hear 'N.S.T.' and 'Things Can't Stay The Same'". NME. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  24. ^ a b "Stream BROCKHAMPTON's New Songs "M.O.B" & "twisted"". 2020-05-16. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  25. ^ Daly, Rhian (2020-05-16). "Brockhampton share another two songs with 'M.O.B' and 'Twisted'". NME. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  26. ^ a b Richards, Will (2020-05-24). "Brockhampton share three new songs including Ryan Beatty collaboration". NME. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  27. ^ a b "Stream BROCKHAMPTON - "chain on / hold me" feat. JPEGMAFIA & "fishbone"". 2020-05-31. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  28. ^ "A$AP Rocky Joins Brockhampton for New "Bankroll" Collab". Hypebeast. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
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