Google Artist of the Week: Spank Rock

Spank Rock (aka Naeem Juwan) emerged in the middle of last decade from the Philadelphia scene that loosely formed around Diplo and his Hollertronix crew. The sonic foundations borrowed liberally from regional pockets of niche American music (Southern rap and Baltimore club music, among many others), while Baile funk, digital cumbia and Punjabi electronica provided exotic adornments. The music was both erudite in its near-archaeological obsession and viscerally unhinged in its raw sexuality. Looking back, it was one of those rare moments when a genuinely new sound coalesced from bits and scraps, and it helped inspire and launch the careers of M.I.A., Amanda Blank, frequent Spank Rock collaborator Santigold and countless others.

"Energy" Spank Rock

"Backyard Betty" Spank Rock

It’s been over a half a decade – enough time for the listener to gain an historical perspective on the movement as well as for the music to gather a little moss. All of which makes Spank Rock’s new collection, Everything is Boring and Everyone Is a F*cking Liar, so amazing. It sounds new and fresh, and is a jolting, perplexing and dangerous ride. The single “Car Song” is near perfect pop – from Santigold’s purred coos that serve as a slippery come-on (“who’s got the keys to my car?”) to the whizzing synth line and Juwan’s shouted party rap. Culturally, Juwan is all over the place; in the first verse of “Car Song,” he references Orson Welles, Cloverfield and Batman’s Vicky Vale. And, as with much post-modern art, half the fun comes in figuring out how Spank Rock negotiates his influences. “Baby” affects Prince’s dirty falsetto, while the mercurial “DFT DADT” manages to simultaneously channel British grime, IDM and electro-funk.

This schizophrenia also informs Juwan’s lyrics. His refrain “I can make you famous” on “#1 Hit” sounds as much like a threat as a come-on, and his “push for something, fight for something, stand for something” mantra on “Turn if Off” is a seemingly unironic call for political consciousness. Likewise, “Race Riot” nods to James Brown’s righteous sexuality as it requests a multi-ethnic array of girls to “shake it ‘till my d*ck turns racist.”

The album isn’t for the squeamish, but it’s a rewarding if exhausting experience. Magnifier recently caught up with Spank Rock. Check out our exclusive interview and add a sampler of his music to your Music Beta library for free. -- Sam Chennault

"Energy" Spank Rock

"Backyard Betty" Spank Rock