The track has the awesome high energy of any great and classic hip-hop project. The music brings the vibes required to really get into the zone and appreciate the lyrics and the passion. The music in fact leans a little towards the pop side of things, there’s a definite sense of melody to the riffs, the synths and the bassline behind all of the action. The track develops in a very creative yet accessible way, and that’s probably a big part of what made it work way back when and indeed still work just as well today.
The vocals are intense and powerful and each delivers these poetic and deeply reflective verses brilliantly. As mentioned, the track is creatively crafted, the structure has been well considered, each moment thought about with intent and passion – there’s never a dull section. There is consistent change within the track yet at all times you know the music and you know the sound of those voices and that hook. The hook has an awesome rhythm to it, the concept of the game being real is one that sinks in very quickly, and that rhythm keeps it present in your mind long after listening.
The outro to the song offers a stylish vocal melody that adds a little soul and r&b to the mix in the final few moments. All in all the track is jam packed with character and impressive qualities, yet as stated, the thread is clear and consistent – the whole thing holds the same strength as always, and the music is timeless in many ways. The leading and opening riff strikes hard, and every riff and every instrument to follow adds something valuable to the piece. The vocal performances are addictive and the music works awesomely in unison with this.
By Rebecca Cullen
Rebecca is a Musician and writer from Manchester, UK, with an MA in Song Writing
Fun Facts:
Rolling Stones magazine placed their album “Ser Humano” (Human Being) 6th as the best Chilean album of all times.
They recorded their 2nd album, “Decision” (EMI) in New York and it reached Platinum.
They are based in Santiago, Chile
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Juan Sativo, founder of Tiro de Gracia
Exposed Vocals: Where did you grow up and why did he decide to become an artist?
Since I was a child I felt a deep love for Michael Jackson’s talented moves, the voices of Motown, the amazing black sounds of jazz and electro. I started adding concepts like boys scouts, loyalty, companionship and social lyrics. This resulted in music and content becoming a tag for me.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
I can mainly suggest to new talents to get knowledgeable and unbiased advise, to open up their minds and to listen to all types of music. We must remember that a lot of actual Hip Hop is inspired in great figures like James Brown, Funkadelic, Robotic Steps, Blondie, The Clash. Bands that inspired the golden era of Hip Hop, Kraftwerk, New Order among others. You need to have an open ear in regards to all musical tendencies.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Undoubtedly. We have made some mistakes but have been able to keep going forward. Many times they have made us more humane and more tolerant. You just have to keep going and be authentic.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Of course! Some of the most important items within TDG’s trajectory have been playing in Black August to help Cuban people in 1999 along with great artist like Reflexion Eternal, Black Starr. Old School shows, the anniversary of Rock Steady Crew; the legendary breakdancers New York group. Also having participated in a rap track against racism for DIAFAR, a NFP group of Argentinian Afro descendants.
We have also opened for Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys and Black Eyed Peas, which have been some of the greatest moments in our career.
You are the most influential Latin American Hip Hop band of all times. Does it feel like a big responsibility?
Latin American Hip Hop has always been spoken about. Especially when big personalities of the Hip Hop culture in the world are Latin and have being central to start this movement as a conscious and lasting one, not only purely commercial and competitive. This is the contribution we, all the Hip Hoppers in this tendency, need.
Exposed Vocals: Do you keep in contact with your fans? How do you do it?
Yes, we have friends. We don’t like to call them fans as we feel is a bit derogative and it doesn’t contribute much. If you are a Hip Hopper you can add to the scene even just thinking. DJs, MCs, B Boys. Knowledge is what people in our culture can add and teach through generations: the real cultural proposal that Rap music offers.
We mostly want people to live this culture and to attend events, not to stay home questioning themselves about fame or power. Music has incorrect politics and we have to fight against that.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
We feel we have fulfilled a big part of that journey. We have played and shared with James Brown in Chile, MCA of the Beastie Boys, Gil Scott Heron at the Bowery Ballroom. We have played next to George Clinton, Parliament, Funkadelic at the cultural industry in Chile and we believe that that there a lot more to be done! Music is something wonderful and when you really understand and comprehend it.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Hopefully, with God’s help, an album that includes the reivindication of Hip Hop culture. Chile deserves it and we still have a lot of shot in this lyrical gun.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Hmm, KRS One used to go by the name of Kris Parker, a wanderer of the Bronx that found a way of life and work in the Hip Hop Culture. We are in no position to reveal music as a job but rather a subconscious that works daily, moving our souls and consciousness. We’d still be a of this, painting, dancing, DJing or simply dreaming. This is the art that we talk about; living it not only briefly working within the musical phenomenon.
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
In Chile and Lima, Hip Hop has gone a long way in a lot of disciplines. We hope that tolerance and respect flood this beautiful culture that saw us born within it. We would like to thank all our friends and ask them to keep supporting us, sharing and mentioning our music across their platforms and don’t forget us because we never forget about the old school.
