(From left) MC Bobkat, Major C and Ruell Barretto
Bombay Bassment is a reflection of the city on a Hip-Hop canvas. The three-piece group met through mutual friends in 2010 and their brush strokes have been striking a chord with songs like Jump And Stomp and Show Me What You Got. What sets them apart is their effort to search for stories in the Maximum City and how they turn them into songs. Recently, the crew released their third album – OK, Dance – in the form of a five-track EP. Of all the tracks, Miss Goody took shape when the band members bumped into a party at Christian Village in Kurla.
“Our music is all about spreading happiness. It is not political or sad. One day, Major C (the sampler/ DJ) and I were walking down an alley inside the Christian Village when we figured that there are some Reggae-heavy African songs that are popular within the community. The music blaring out of the speakers was close to our sound. Major C said we should do something similar,” shares Bob Omulo, better known as MC Bobkat – the frontman. Ruell Barretto, the bassist/guitarist, is the third member. Earlier, they wrote the song Bombay Blues that captured the diversity of the metropolis. “You can see women in saris, tank tops and denims on the same street here. Even bullock carts and Harley Davidsons move side by side. The city is artistic in expression,” adds Bob. The co-existence of tradition and modernity also led to songs like Yes Yes All and Pump It Up in the new record.
When they started, there weren’t as many Hip-Hop acts in the city. Bob batted for the vernacular acts. “Those days, the rappers used to call me for advice. I had told them to think the way filmmakers do. Even an auto rickshaw driver should relate to your music,” he signs off.
ON: May 27, 9 pm onwards
AT: Bonobo, second floor, Kenilworth Mall, Bandra (W).
CALL: 26055050
LOG ON TO: oklisten.com
(for the full album)