The BUNKS have found themselves stuck in Generica, “home of the greedy, take-it-all, without no fail/it’ll cost you a dollar just to in and exhale”. Addiction, obesity, consumerism, and ignorance plague a world “where every city looks the same” and this album is a release as well as a BUNKS analysis of the trials and tribulations surrounding the human species (as well as the BUNKS themselves) as it continues consuming itself into destruction. It also features the hit single “Coffee Flavored Memories”, an ode to the great land known as Coffee County where Smo and Gro first met and set this movement into motion.
100% of sales of ‘Coffee Flavored Memories’ goes directly to the Hillsboro Community Backpack Program which helps feed hungry children in the community. Visit www.hillsborobackpacks.com for more info.
Amidst the flashy dashy, bling bling materialist, candy coated I wanna be a thug hip hop, the BUNKS’ call to action couldn’t come at a better time. The hard hitting and crowd moving “Generica,” is a subtle lyrical tirade of hip-hop awareness. Laced with fiery socially conscious messages, banging base lines, and revolutionary themes, the album is almost enough to single-handedly kill off closed-minded elitist cultures.
The album tackles minority oriented issues to a broader perspective, making convincing arguments for government conspiracies and social issues. Joshua Smotherman, Joshua Grosch, and DJ Smotherman show that the BUNKS are very capable of reaching a larger audience. They invigorate many issues that have long been perceived as dead. They give them life, making sure you start to believe again.
I’m sure people who are blinded to how oppressive a system of Capitalism can become, might find this album a little unsettling. Too bad. Hip hop is a universal form of entertainment, but it also is a powerful political and social medium that can, and dare I say, should, serve a greater purpose. I believe the BUNKS have succeeded in providing a great hiphop album comprised of banging beats, a great flow, and a bucket load of pertinent messages.
“Generica” showcases 14 tracks of which it would be unfair to single out any one, as a standout. Creativity, coherence, talent, emotions. This album has it all. In a hip-hop world filled with absolute nonsense, blatant ignorance and mindlessness, the BUNKS counter punch with an album full of explicit revolutionary enlightenment.
The BUNKS are pointing out some serious problems in America, but you don’t have to agree with every opinion they have, to see the good in what they are trying to do. “Generica” should be the anthem to most of your life. Everything from banging on the system to eating healthy and being happy. I strongly encourage anybody with an open mind and will, to research things for themselves, to buy this album and support these guys.
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I’ve known the BUNKS since they were kids. This is one of my favorite of their records. I recall the day our buddy said, “we’re all stuck in Generica,” and two days later, the title track showed up in my mailbox. Rock ON, Josh and Josh! Fantastic write up! Keep doing good things for the indie community, they love you for it!