Awhile back an internet friend of mine (we all have those, right?) SergDun from Beer and Rap pointed out the Tank Thong Mixtape by Megasoid to me [and you may remember it from Gray's recommendation this past september]. Before even hearing it I was intensely curious and excited about the project when he told me that half of this Montreal-based duo is none other than underground hip hop/downbeat super producer Sixtoo, neé Robert Squire, who some of you may know from his time in the Sebutones with Buck 65, or his production work for Sage Francis, Sole, and many others, or his multiple Ninja Tune solo albums. I was even more curious when Serg told me that Robert Squire a.k.a. Speakerbruiser, along with his partner Hadji Bakara, a.k.a Robert Downey DJ, a.k.a. the guy who runs the electronics for Wolf Parade, were making bass-heavy, synth-washed, grimy, nasty, dirty, skuzzy remixes of rap tracks and throwing parties in the tradition of the portable Jamaican sound system, live PA-remix style that they were referring to as Turbo Crunk (it’s hard to know if that describes their music or the parties they throw, more on that in a minute). Once I checked out the mixtape (which is still available at Weapons House), I was hooked.

Megasoid are game changers. They have been throwing massive, often illegal parties, in Montreal and all over the world for the last year or so along with their cohorts Mofomatronix and Lunice, putting a spark back into the world of hip hop that I haven’t seen for a long time; their sound is original, pulling from all over the music world. You’ll hear elements of IDM, minimal techno, dubstep, dancehall, bhangra, reggaeton and, of course, rap music on nearly any track that any member of the Turbo Crunk crew generates.

And for all you snobs out there, they even got a write up in The New Yorker.

I don’t want to do too much work for you here. I’d like all of you who are feeling this material to spend some time learning about this music/movement for yourself. Some kids are calling it Turbo Crunk, some are calling it Lazer Bass, others Glitch Hop, I just think it’s what rap music is all about and has always been about. Innovating. Here are three tracks for you, one from all three members of the Turbo Crunk crew (Hovatron being a member of Mofomatronix). Keep your eyes out, these boys are blowing through PDX in January.

Styles P – Blow Your Mind (Megasoid Remix)

Kanye West – Love Lockdown (Lunice Remix)

MIMS – Why I’m Hot (Hovatron Remix)

Bangers and Cash – BOOTAY [Megasoid Rmx]