They’re so young they probably wouldn’t get past the bouncer if they weren’t headlining.
Badbadnotgood, an instrumental trio from Canada that have blown up on the internet for their sleek covers of rap songs from artists such as Odd Future and Gucci Mane, will take the stage at Brooklyn Bowl at midnight on May 4 — where they will most certainly be the youngest members in the 21-plus joint.
Not that it should stop anybody from taking them seriously.
The three, 19, 20, and 21, have perfected a genre-bending take on jazz and hip-hop that has earned them acclaim on the internet, cameos from Odd Future’s whiz kid Tyler, the Creator, as well as an upcoming collaboration with the group, and a prime Friday night slot at the bowling hip-spot in Williamsburg.
“They got a cool sound and I think they’re going to do some big things,” said Adam Geringer-Dunn, who does booking for Brooklyn Bowl. “They’re super-talented — and the music they play is tight and really stands out.”
The group’s first major video — a cover of Odd Future’s song “Orange Juice” — dropped less than a year ago, but the group has already released its second album, BBNG2, proudly proclaiming that nobody over the age of 21 was involved, featuring covers of James Blake, Feist, Kanye West and My Bloody Valentine, in addition to some originals.
The counter-intuitive transfer of hip-hop back to instrumental tracks may seem strange, but the group’s music works as a blend of aural sophistication and mayhem.
But don’t just take our word for it.
“This s— is so good,” said Tyler, the Creator, in a recent video with the group.
Badbadnotgood at Brooklyn Bowl [61 Wythe Avenue between North 11th and North 12th streets in Williamsburg. (718) 963-3369] May 4 at midnight, $10. Visit www.brooklynbowl.com.
WATCH: Check out this recent video of Badbadnotgood performing with Tyler, the Creator — warning, the lyrics are not PG.
Reach reporter Eli Rosenberg at erosenberg@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2531. And follow him at twitter.com/emrosenberg.r
