Soup Or Villainz

It's no secret that Soup Or Villainz are prolific with their output. Equally it shouldn't come as a surprise that today sees them release not one, not two, but two and a half new albums. Half? In addition to new releases, 'World On Fire' and 'The Disco System', (review to follow) Soup Or Villainz have also released additional tracks for their 2011 album, 'Villainz For Hire'.


World On Fire
'World On Fire' begins with a brief instrumental 'Intro' before launching into the forty seven second long, 'Tikal' which showcases the best of Soup Or Villainz faster than light rap delivery as previously showcased on 'I Can Teach You Magic', the Harry Potter themed track released towards the end of last year.

In the blink of an eye we're onto track three, the title track featuring, Boom. A serious, slow paced track with softly sung sections. Raising the bar, 'See Everything' pulls your attention in from the opening bars. A simple piano riff is understated yet catchy. Soft synths mirror the keys and the rap style is steady, in-keeping with the sung chorus. This could be my favourite Soup Or Villainz track to date.

To this point everything has flowed together. 'Kamikaze' changes the style somewhat. Strings, synths and keys give way to a more erratic sounding loop. Featuring fellow Scrub Club artists, King Pheenix and Maros, the raps are delivered more forcefully. The song feels a little crowbarred in. The fluid sound returns with 'Let Me Know'. It's a slower paced track tinged with modern R&B sensibilities and technology themed lyrics.

Half way through this thirteen track release we have another forty seven second track. 'Arab Spring' acting as an instrumental midway break. 'Con of Consciousness' (Consequences of Conciousness) features Shy Guy and MC Wreckshin. There's not much to it, but the recurrent riff is catchy enough to keep it interesting.

'Stevie D' of 'Illbotz' adds his talents to 'Madness'. Strings and keys punctuate. The raps are solid but the sung sections feel weak to me. 'I Make Things Happen' kicks off with Remi-Son's fast, flow again followed by a verse by Viet Vu. There's not much else to it but it works to progress the album.

'Scrub Club' main man, Madhatter, lends his vocals to 'Darker Than Black'. Musically it's got bounce whilst being primarily synth led. As with 'Kamikaze' the style feels musically different, but on this occasion not significantly enough to be out of place.

Stephen Hawkin is sampled in the intro as 'High Science' mixes a fantastic swirl of orchestral sound with solid vocals. Man of the moment, Adam Warrock features alongside NES-T on this short but very sweet closing track. 'See Everything' is now my second favourite Soup Or Villainz track...

Oh wait. Make that third. I'd forgotten about 'I Can Teach You Magic'. Included as a bonus track the work of producer, 'Klopfenpop' fits perfectly with this release.

And so a strange thing has happened. Previously I have failed to be fully convinced by Soup Or Villainz. I've found many of their releases to be a mix of too many styles. There's always been something really good counterbalanced with something doesn't suit my taste. 'World On Fire' is different. Exclude 'Kamikaze' (Not because it's bad, because it feels out of place to my ear) and for me you've got a mature, competent album that really works as a complete body of work.

Soup Or Villainz are Remi-Son and Viet Vu. 'World On Fire' is available to download for free from Scrub Club Records now. I strongly recommend that you do. A remix pack is also available. - The Unheard Nerd

It's no secret that Soup Or Villainz are prolific with their output. Equally it shouldn't come as a surprise that today sees them release not one, not two, but two and a half new albums. Half? In addition to new releases, 'World On Fire' and 'The Disco System', (review to follow) Soup Or Villainz have also released additional tracks for their 2011 album, 'Villainz For Hire'.


World On Fire
'World On Fire' begins with a brief instrumental 'Intro' before launching into the forty seven second long, 'Tikal' which showcases the best of Soup Or Villainz faster than light rap delivery as previously showcased on 'I Can Teach You Magic', the Harry Potter themed track released towards the end of last year.

In the blink of an eye we're onto track three, the title track featuring, Boom. A serious, slow paced track with softly sung sections. Raising the bar, 'See Everything' pulls your attention in from the opening bars. A simple piano riff is understated yet catchy. Soft synths mirror the keys and the rap style is steady, in-keeping with the sung chorus. This could be my favourite Soup Or Villainz track to date.

To this point everything has flowed together. 'Kamikaze' changes the style somewhat. Strings, synths and keys give way to a more erratic sounding loop. Featuring fellow Scrub Club artists, King Pheenix and Maros, the raps are delivered more forcefully. The song feels a little crowbarred in. The fluid sound returns with 'Let Me Know'. It's a slower paced track tinged with modern R&B sensibilities and technology themed lyrics.

Half way through this thirteen track release we have another forty seven second track. 'Arab Spring' acting as an instrumental midway break. 'Con of Consciousness' (Consequences of Conciousness) features Shy Guy and MC Wreckshin. There's not much to it, but the recurrent riff is catchy enough to keep it interesting.

'Stevie D' of 'Illbotz' adds his talents to 'Madness'. Strings and keys punctuate. The raps are solid but the sung sections feel weak to me. 'I Make Things Happen' kicks off with Remi-Son's fast, flow again followed by a verse by Viet Vu. There's not much else to it but it works to progress the album.

'Scrub Club' main man, Madhatter, lends his vocals to 'Darker Than Black'. Musically it's got bounce whilst being primarily synth led. As with 'Kamikaze' the style feels musically different, but on this occasion not significantly enough to be out of place.

Stephen Hawkin is sampled in the intro as 'High Science' mixes a fantastic swirl of orchestral sound with solid vocals. Man of the moment, Adam Warrock features alongside NES-T on this short but very sweet closing track. 'See Everything' is now my second favourite Soup Or Villainz track...

Oh wait. Make that third. I'd forgotten about 'I Can Teach You Magic'. Included as a bonus track the work of producer, 'Klopfenpop' fits perfectly with this release.

And so a strange thing has happened. Previously I have failed to be fully convinced by Soup Or Villainz. I've found many of their releases to be a mix of too many styles. There's always been something really good counterbalanced with something doesn't suit my taste. 'World On Fire' is different. Exclude 'Kamikaze' (Not because it's bad, because it feels out of place to my ear) and for me you've got a mature, competent album that really works as a complete body of work.

Soup Or Villainz are Remi-Son and Viet Vu. 'World On Fire' is available to download for free from Scrub Club Records now. I strongly recommend that you do. A remix pack is also available. - The Unheard Nerd

One of the best pieces of advice that a seasoned writer can give to a beginner is to
write about what you know. Songwriting is always more effective when the writer’s
expression comes from first-hand experience. Hip-hop relies on more words than any
other genre and “Rhymes Equal Actual Life In The Youth,” to borrow a song title from
revered emcee KRS-ONE. If that’s the case, does it makes sense to rap about busting off
shots if the only trigger you ever pulled was on a water gun or a bottle of glass cleaner?
Perhaps those who are a part of the nerdcore hip-hop subgenre have asked themselves the
same thing.

If art reflects life, then Viet Vu and Remison exist in a reality overtaken by fantasy,
where role playing and video games aren’t just a hobby, but an extension of one’s self.
Together they are Soup Or Villainz (“super villains” if you say it fast), a duo from
South Bend, Indiana who aren’t afraid to get geeky with rhymes and beats. Even the
album’s intro proclaims their love of games and girls with a gritty growl reminiscent of
Lil’ Jon. “Game To Play” gets right to the point with a catchy Southern bounce flip on
background music from Tetris. As the duo shouts out game titles and platforms on the
chorus, it’s hard not to get caught up in the fun.

What makes Villainz For Hire an immediate standout is that, while it fits neatly into
the nerdcore subgenre, it doesn’t seem to be ultimately defined by its trappings. Some
might argue that nerdcore rappers come up short in terms of lyrical technicality and
showmanship, perhaps even embracing the belief that those who can’t rap do so anyway.
However, Remison and Viet Vu shatter that theory with clever bars and intricate flows,
particularly on cuts like “Nerd Status.” It’s the one cut on the album that Remison didn’t
produce himself, instead leaving the backing track in the capable hands of The Avengers.
Their dramatic instrumental compliments how each verse builds upon the other and
Remison’s rapid-fire grammar absolutely smashes the session.

The presence of R&B singers handling the vocal hooks is another nice touch. Danyeal
McIntosh is only featured on four songs, but within that time she makes her presence
known. She possesses a rich and commanding voice even while singing lines
like “Please can you tell me your gamer tag ‘cause I’m online and I want to play with
you.” Hearing Danyeal sing that hook over the spaghetti western motif in “Gamertag”
is pretty effective and the booming clap of the drum programming doesn’t let up as Vu
and Remison kick their respective verses. “Only Option” transcends nerdcore altogether
with its tender chord changes and silky chorus sung by Teezy, suggesting that this duo
could easily record a more straightforward album if they wanted to. Of course, if they
did then they couldn’t justify a song like “D.K.” Borrowing a melody from Donkey
Kong Country, the gamer boys attempt to rap their way into a real life rendezvous. It’s
gloriously cheesy and undoubtedly humorous.

Villainz For Hire has its share of laughs along the way, but the album is seriously good.
In just under 30 minutes, Soup Or Villainz proves the point that nerdcore doesn’t have
to be so brainy that it’s short on style. The album is engaging for both the mind and the
body, one that should be judged as a hip-hop release overall and not simply within the
confines of its subgenre. If you have a game addict in your life or someone that dislikes
the violence and misogyny normally associated with hip-hop, you might want to slide this
album their way. - Review You

One of the best pieces of advice that a seasoned writer can give to a beginner is to
write about what you know. Songwriting is always more effective when the writer’s
expression comes from first-hand experience. Hip-hop relies on more words than any
other genre and “Rhymes Equal Actual Life In The Youth,” to borrow a song title from
revered emcee KRS-ONE. If that’s the case, does it makes sense to rap about busting off
shots if the only trigger you ever pulled was on a water gun or a bottle of glass cleaner?
Perhaps those who are a part of the nerdcore hip-hop subgenre have asked themselves the
same thing.

If art reflects life, then Viet Vu and Remison exist in a reality overtaken by fantasy,
where role playing and video games aren’t just a hobby, but an extension of one’s self.
Together they are Soup Or Villainz (“super villains” if you say it fast), a duo from
South Bend, Indiana who aren’t afraid to get geeky with rhymes and beats. Even the
album’s intro proclaims their love of games and girls with a gritty growl reminiscent of
Lil’ Jon. “Game To Play” gets right to the point with a catchy Southern bounce flip on
background music from Tetris. As the duo shouts out game titles and platforms on the
chorus, it’s hard not to get caught up in the fun.

What makes Villainz For Hire an immediate standout is that, while it fits neatly into
the nerdcore subgenre, it doesn’t seem to be ultimately defined by its trappings. Some
might argue that nerdcore rappers come up short in terms of lyrical technicality and
showmanship, perhaps even embracing the belief that those who can’t rap do so anyway.
However, Remison and Viet Vu shatter that theory with clever bars and intricate flows,
particularly on cuts like “Nerd Status.” It’s the one cut on the album that Remison didn’t
produce himself, instead leaving the backing track in the capable hands of The Avengers.
Their dramatic instrumental compliments how each verse builds upon the other and
Remison’s rapid-fire grammar absolutely smashes the session.

The presence of R&B singers handling the vocal hooks is another nice touch. Danyeal
McIntosh is only featured on four songs, but within that time she makes her presence
known. She possesses a rich and commanding voice even while singing lines
like “Please can you tell me your gamer tag ‘cause I’m online and I want to play with
you.” Hearing Danyeal sing that hook over the spaghetti western motif in “Gamertag”
is pretty effective and the booming clap of the drum programming doesn’t let up as Vu
and Remison kick their respective verses. “Only Option” transcends nerdcore altogether
with its tender chord changes and silky chorus sung by Teezy, suggesting that this duo
could easily record a more straightforward album if they wanted to. Of course, if they
did then they couldn’t justify a song like “D.K.” Borrowing a melody from Donkey
Kong Country, the gamer boys attempt to rap their way into a real life rendezvous. It’s
gloriously cheesy and undoubtedly humorous.

Villainz For Hire has its share of laughs along the way, but the album is seriously good.
In just under 30 minutes, Soup Or Villainz proves the point that nerdcore doesn’t have
to be so brainy that it’s short on style. The album is engaging for both the mind and the
body, one that should be judged as a hip-hop release overall and not simply within the
confines of its subgenre. If you have a game addict in your life or someone that dislikes
the violence and misogyny normally associated with hip-hop, you might want to slide this
album their way. - Review You

South Bend has some nerdcore rising stars. Fronted by the MC duo of Viet Vu and Remison. They drop hot rhymes about video games, comic books, and Sci-fi. Their rhymes are supported by the soulful voice of Danyeal McIntosh. Her smooth vocals make them accessible to non-nerdcore fans. When they played the Scrub Club Records showcase at the E.S. Jungle, the label reps were so impressed, they signed Soup Or Villainz on the spot. They don't get booked downstate very often, so if you get a chance to see them, make it a top priority. They are really that solid! - Nuvo Indy's Alternative Voice

South Bend has some nerdcore rising stars. Fronted by the MC duo of Viet Vu and Remison. They drop hot rhymes about video games, comic books, and Sci-fi. Their rhymes are supported by the soulful voice of Danyeal McIntosh. Her smooth vocals make them accessible to non-nerdcore fans. When they played the Scrub Club Records showcase at the E.S. Jungle, the label reps were so impressed, they signed Soup Or Villainz on the spot. They don't get booked downstate very often, so if you get a chance to see them, make it a top priority. They are really that solid! - Nuvo Indy's Alternative Voice

The next act onstage was a local hip hop group called Soup or Villainz. It seemed as if there was a crowd that came out for them alone, because as soon as their name was announced, the audience flared up with a rowdy applause. Soup or Villainz, which is comprised of two males and a female, rapped and sang about things like extra-terrestrials and video games during their roughly 30 minute set. Their energetic songs got the crowd to dance and sing along—it really seemed like everyone liked what they heard. - IUSB Preface

The next act onstage was a local hip hop group called Soup or Villainz. It seemed as if there was a crowd that came out for them alone, because as soon as their name was announced, the audience flared up with a rowdy applause. Soup or Villainz, which is comprised of two males and a female, rapped and sang about things like extra-terrestrials and video games during their roughly 30 minute set. Their energetic songs got the crowd to dance and sing along—it really seemed like everyone liked what they heard. - IUSB Preface