Epic & Rob Crooks - Green Tablecloth

 

“Green Tablecloth” is the third single from Nassau Manor, the upcoming album from Epic & Rob Crooks on Hand’Solo Records. The chill funk groove composed of drums, guitar and piano by Rob inspired nostalgia in Epic. Thinking of a move from Edmonton, AB to Peterborough, ON, Epic packs the song with imagery of walking around Edmonton. Intentionally going offbeat and back on beat several times to keep the listener off balance, Epic recounts in his unique folk rap flow the memories of various events in his life: a Julie Doiron concert in a record store, a protest to end a war, and purchasing a tablecloth in Greece. The song ends with Edmonton DJ Battle champion Baggy Lean, who contributes cuts throughout, scratching Canadian rap queen Michie Mee proclaiming “Ontario”. Another Epic classic crammed with quirky Canadiana!

Written and performed by Epic

Produced by Rob Crooks

Epic & Rob Crooks introduce "Sad Rapper Jack"

 

Epic & Rob Crooks present “Sad Rapper Jack”, the second single from their forthcoming album, Nassau Manor, on Hand’Solo Records. Writing to the melancholy, ethereal beat by Rob Crooks, equal parts soulful and jazzy, Epic was thinking of a good friend of his that was sad all the time when he realized Jack was part of a much larger sad rapper movement. Were The Smiths to blame? Using Jack as a surrogate for this phenomenon, Epic delivers his message with a dry sense of humour and in his unique folk rap flow. “Sad Rapper Jack” was recorded at the Nassau Manor apartments in Winnipeg, MB in a closet padded with a cut-up used cubicle bought at a surplus sale. That’s a different kind of sad.

Written and performed by Epic 
Produced by Rob Crooks

The video was filmed and edited by Rob Crooks, featuring Epic rapping around a wintery Edmonton, AB at landmark sites such as the West Edmonton Mall, the Starlite Room, and his own basement and backyard. Also includes cameos by local rappers Touch and Emprime.

Epic & robcrooks "Hold It Down" for the culture

 

It’s the return of Epic! “Hold It Down” is the first single from Epic’s first new album in 15 years. He uses the song to proclaim he is still down for hip hop culture while also touching on other topics that are important to him, such as action on the climate crisis and support for the Canadian hip hop scene. The concept was also influenced by a 9-month deep dive into reggae culture via U.S. east coast college radio shows in his late-40s. Epic lays down his train-of-thought rhymes in his unique folk-rap delivery over groovy, jazz-soul production from collaborator robcrooks, who he is teamed with for the full Nassau Manor album. In an age when many collaborations are done online, Epic flew on WestJet to Winnipeg to recorded it at Rob’s apartment near the banks of the Red River.

Written and performed by Epic

Produced by robcrooks

The single is accompanied by a video shot by Epic and Kelley Dunfield while on vacation in Rome, Italy, and was edited by robcrooks. The video captures Epic rapping in front of iconic spots such as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Coliseum at night. Even on vacation, Epic holds it down for the culture.