Rap trio Aux Cutter showcase their relentless chemistry with debut track “On Blast,” a free exchange of witty bars where lyricists Ben Buck and Nate Thee Great trade off eight verses in less than two minutes.
Meanwhile, their stoic DJ, Shadowboxin, brings the ruckus with a gritty synth line, high-intensity beat, and a hook partially comprised of a Wu-Tang vocal sample: “Catch the blast of a hype verse!”
Shadowboxin’s an alias for Kevin Naquin, known for his work in Blastfamous USA, Nght Hcklrs, and Urban Heat. He calls Aux Cutter “a throwback to Nineties boom bap – two emcees and a DJ/producer – with a modern twist.” The group formed during the pandemic after Buck had solicited beats from Naquin for a solo EP that, after Nate Thee Great came in on, expanded into a stand-alone project. The trio drops a 10-track album on July 16, coinciding with a release show at Empire.
Asked what each member brings to the table, Buck cites Naquin’s “leagues and leagues of experience and great instrumentation” and, for Nate Thee Great: “a lot of charisma – he’s kind of the Method Man of the group.” As for himself: “I bring energy and old school sensibilities to it.”
“On Blast” comes to life with a video directed by musician and videographer Jonathan Horstmann.
This article appears in June 25 • 2021.