Los Angeles duo Substance Abuse — composed of emcees Eso Tre and Subz — are no strangers to timeless hip-hop. With a catalog that spans collaborations with icons like MF DOOM, KRS-One, Kool Keith, and MC Eiht, their music has always been rooted in authentic lyricism, sharp social commentary, and a deep respect for the culture. Their track, “Bridges,” featuring West Coast legend Aceyalone, is no different — a jazzy, uplifting track with a powerful call for unity in a time of division.
The group’s legacy started with the critically acclaimed Overproof (2006) and continued with Background Music (2012), both of which were praised for their vision, features, and production value. With “Bridges,” they return not only with another iconic collaboration but also with a message that feels increasingly urgent in today’s social climate. Crafted with production from Waes One and visual storytelling from RCKLSS ABNDN, the track serves as both an artistic triumph and a cultural reminder of the power of hip-hop.
We caught up with Eso Tre and Subz of Substance Abuse to talk about the inspiration behind “Bridges,” what it’s like collaborating with lyrical giants, how their sound has matured, and why staying independent in hip-hop is a badge of honor rather than a burden.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: What inspired the concept for “Bridges” and how did Aceyalone become involved?
Substance Abuse:
Subz came up with the idea for “Bridges” after observing how divided the world had become. We wanted to do something about unity, and we couldn’t think of anyone better than Aceyalone to bring that vision to life. He’s a master at building songs around metaphors — just like he did on Book of Human Language. Our aim was to make something jazzy and upbeat but with a message, like what Native Tongues did. The fact that one of the Jungle Brothers heard the track and dug it blew our minds. Big props to Philm One for the sample and Waes One for the beat — his production added layers that brought everything together.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: You mentioned the song promotes unity — how has that message aged in today’s climate?
Substance Abuse:
It’s more important now than ever. People talk about how far we’ve come as a society, but the hate is louder than ever too — bigotry, xenophobia, it’s all still out there, just more out in the open. “Bridges” hasn’t aged — it’s grown in relevance. Unfortunately, the forces we wanted to speak out against are still very much alive.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: How did working with RCKLSS ABNDN help bring the song’s meaning to life visually?
Substance Abuse:
DJ Empty, who runs RCKLSS ABNDN, is not just a visual artist — he’s part of the culture. He gets hip-hop, which is key. We came up with the Lyft driver concept and had our friend Erik Solo play the driver. It felt real. We had beers, our friends acted as passengers, and it was a creative, organic experience. DJ Empty helped turn that concept into something that feels both cinematic and grounded in community.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: You’ve worked with legends like KRS-One, MF DOOM, and now Aceyalone. What’s your approach to working with iconic voices?
Substance Abuse:
We don’t just get legends for name value. It’s about fit. The artist has to align with the message, and the beat has to match their style. Waes One produced the tracks with KRS-One and MC Eiht too, and he nailed both. When it came to Aceyalone, we actually asked him to approach “Bridges” as if it were a lost chapter from Book of Human Language. That dedication to the concept shows — it’s not just a verse, it’s a statement.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: How has your sound or message changed since Overproof or Background Music?
Substance Abuse:
We’ve changed naturally, but we never force it. Each project is an evolution of who we are at the time. A track that fit on Background Music wouldn’t have made sense on Overproof, and that’s okay. We didn’t sit down and say, “Let’s sound different.” We just grew, like Gang Starr or Ultramagnetic MCs did. There’s always that core vibe, but it matures with us.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: Has “Bridges” sparked any follow-up projects or creative shifts?
Substance Abuse:
Absolutely. We’ve got a new song with Aceyalone dropping soon called “Nothing from Nothing.” We’re also cooking up tracks with other L.A. emcees. “Bridges” didn’t overhaul our process, but it reminded us how much we love making jazzy, message-driven hip-hop that still slaps in the current era.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: What’s the most rewarding part of staying independent and authentic?
Substance Abuse:
It’s like running a local restaurant. You might not be as big as the chains, but people come to you for something real. Something they can’t get anywhere else. That’s what we’ve built our brand on — uniqueness and longevity over trends and gimmicks.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: What advice would you give upcoming underground emcees?
Substance Abuse:
Have a vision. Know what you want your music to feel like, not just what you want it to do for you. When we started, we had high standards because we modeled ourselves off artists who stood for something. Too many rappers today are chasing status without a sound. Find your lane. Hone it. Respect it.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: Any upcoming music, visuals, or shows we should be on the lookout for?
Substance Abuse:
We’re recording heavy right now. Shows are coming. But what’s really exciting is the animated video for the “Profitless Thoughts” remix with MF DOOM, created by Arne Knudsen. He also did our “West Los” video, and this new one is next-level.
🎤 Exposed Vocals: Where’s the best place for fans to connect with and support Substance Abuse?
Substance Abuse:
Hit us on Instagram @substanceabusehiphop and YouTube @substanceabusemusic. We’re also on Bluesky, Threads, and yeah, even TikTok, though we’re still figuring that one out. Too bad MySpace isn’t around anymore — but hey, nothing lasts forever.
🔥 Final Thoughts
With “Bridges,” Substance Abuse once again proves that hip-hop is still a force for positive change — when done right. Their ability to blend socially conscious lyrics with head-nodding beats and high-level collaborations shows that they’re not just preserving the legacy of the culture — they’re adding to it. As they continue to push boundaries while staying grounded, it’s clear that for Substance Abuse, substance is not just part of their name — it’s their entire mission.
