Dope D.O.D. in Wrocław: the band performs material from “Master Xploder” live

Dope D.O.D. returns to Wrocław to promote the latest album, Master Xploder. The concert takes place at Wrocław’s Alibi club on 9 October 2014.

Dope D.O.D. comprise three rappers, Dopey Rotten, Jay Reaper and Skits Vicious, supported on stage by their producer Peter Songolo. The international career of this Dutch group from Groeningen began in January 2011, when their first video, for “What Happened”, appeared online. The track has now been played more than 15 million times on YouTube, with almost 30% of those plays coming from Poland!

The attention generated by this recording enabled Dope D.O.D. to release their debut EP, “The evil EP”, followed by their first album, “Branded”, in autumn 2011. Its promotional campaign took in Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, France, Greece, Hungary and Bulgaria. Both releases clearly display the group’s distinctive style: African roots, futuristic beats and a rough, dirty rap delivery make Dope D.O.D. a hardcore Dutch answer to British hip-hop.

In June that year, after Fred Durst watched “What Happened”, Dope D.O.D. joined Limp Bizkit’s European tour as main support at his personal invitation! Another highly prestigious achievement was officially supporting Korn on their American tour. The next step was collaborating with legendary producer Sean Price of Heltah Skeltah, Boot Camp Clik and Random Axe. The result was “Psychosis”, which resonated widely throughout hip-hop and beyond!

After a series of appearances at Europe's biggest festivals — Rock en Seines, Printemps de Bourges, Eurockeenes (France), Dour Festival (Belgium), Monegros Dessert Fest (Spain), Best Fest (Romania), Lowlands (the Netherlands), Hip Hop Kemp (the Czech Republic), The Great Escape (the UK) and Sziget (Hungary) — and a sold-out autumn tour of European clubs, the musicians disappeared into the studio to create another powerful album, “Da Roach”!

“Da Roach” had its worldwide release on 19 April 2013, featuring guests including Redman, Kool Keith, Onyx and Sean Price once again. Alongside the aforementioned Peter Songolo, production contributors include ChuBeats, Maztek, Bong Ra and Nightwatch from Noisia! “Da Roach” will also be released in Poland by Sonic Records. “The cockroach is the only living creature capable of surviving nuclear destruction. Our album will be just such an indestructible classic, and its music will survive anything. That is why it is… the Cockroach!”

“Da Roach” is another example of Dope D.O.D. going against the grain, something the lads have already accustomed us to, defying the accepted rules of music marketing and promotion. It is a double album with a strong emphasis on a thoroughly contemporary hardcore hip-hop sound. The music on “Da Roach” is a powerful combination of modern drum ’n’ bass, dubstep and jungle, although hip-hop remains central to their interests and influences. As they put it: Da Roach is an extremely bleak album with a dark atmosphere and a heavy, industrial sound. Lyrically, the new record is much more varied and multilayered than our previous releases. This is no longer horrorcore; it is a thriller worthy of Stephen King.

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