Release of the Week 13/9: Nerve’s “A.S.M.R” ft Raj Mahal, Marty Bugatti, Obi III Terrors
Four of Australian hip/hop’s fastest rising talent have joined forces for this week’s release. “A.S.M.R” features the unholy combination of Sydney’s fastest rising rappers, being Nerve, Raj Mahal and Triple One’s Obi III Terrors and Marty Bugatti. Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is defined as a tingling sensation in the scalp and down the back of the neck, which some people experience in response to gentle stimulus like whispering voices, paper tearing or ocean sounds. Minus the gentle part, the boys have hit the nail on the head in naming their track.
The beat is fierce, with a hypnotic synth melody in the high end and thick booming bass in the low end. With that out of the way, the star of the track is the four verses. Each follows the same structure. A few lines to introduce who’s rapping, a few lines to break it down and a few lines to leave their mark on the track. First up is the aggressive Raj Mahal with his American style, who sets a fast pace for the track that challenges everyone else to match him. When Nerve, the track’s king, enters, he is able to match the pace while somehow increasing the intensity. The final section of his verse is a heart-pumping romp that is as fast as it is skilled. Next up is Triple One’s Marty Bugatti with a thick accent and unapologetically ‘occa’ style. After the intensity of Nerve’s verse, the track benefits from Marty’s lyrical humour, managing, for example, to include every telly tubby by name. Last up is Obi III Terror, who’s rapping is reminiscent of the older style of Aussie hip/hop, like artists such as Bliss ‘N’ Eso. It is vulgar, cocky and ruthless, bringing the track home through raw attitude.
While each of these artists have released better tracks independently, it shows the level that the Sydney hip/hop scene has risen to when these four can come together, spit a few bars and produce something of this quality.
Readers can catch Nerve live on the Mumma’s Boy tour beginning in Newcastle on Friday 11th October, before heading Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne and ending in Brisbane on Saturday 2nd November.
