Beast Coast in Concert
Beast Coast aren't a group so much as a movement — the collected rowdy, thoughtful, moody, psychedelics-loving, and super talented members of three different Brooklyn hip-hop groups that helped redefine the genre in the early 2010s.
There's Joey Bada$$ and his Pro Era crew, who specialize in throwback, sample-heavy boom bap even while rapping about progressive social issues. There's the Flatbush Zombies trio with their grungy rhyme styles, love for darkly experimental beats, and tales of LSD-tripping through an urban wasteland. And, finally, The Underachievers, a duo that combines third-eye spirituality with a rebel spirit and groove-heavy production.
The Beast Coast collective name is more than a clapback at the old "West Coast is the best coast" line — it rightly sums up these artists' impossible-to-ignore influence while also tipping fans off to the vibe of their live shows. Together, these 10-plus MCs are a bona fide crowd-surfing, chant-inspiring, shirts-off, dreads-flailing, more-punk-than-rap festival act.
Beast Coast Background
Beast Coast's roots go back to Flatbush — many of them are the sons of families who moved to New York from the Caribbean, and many knew one another as kids. Joey's group came together in high school, rallying around rap old-schoolers like Nas and border-pushers like Andre 3000. Their full name, Progressive Era, worked as a two-word manifesto, and sure enough, Bada$$ became one of the most promising hip-hop minds of his generation, working with everyone from DJ Premier to XXXtentacion.
The Zombies met in grade school, bonded over Dragon Ball Z and wrestling, and shared their first psychedelic experiences. Indeed, they sound like family, and they've ridden that chemistry into collaborations with like-minded artists Danny Brown, Action Bronson, and even their hero RZA, whose Gravediggaz outfit is a direct source of inspiration.
Issa Gold and AK the Savior, aka The Underachievers, also go back to their preteens. They named themselves as a challenge to outsiders' perceptions — anyone who'd be surprised that a couple of apparent potheads infuse their lyrics with such smarts — and the right outsiders took note. Experimental electronica guru Flying Lotus signed them to his Brainfeeder label in 2012, and they've since proven a long-term commitment to innovation.