Artist: Family Force 5
Site: www.familyforce5.com
Album: Business Up Front/Party In the Back
Label: Gotee Records
Release: 2006
Type: Crunk
If you like: Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, Audio Adrenaline, The White Stripes, Korn
Fire up the blender, ‘cause we’re going to mix things up now! Here’s what you need for this concoction known as Family Force 5: two parts punk, a side of ghetto rap, a couple slices of hip hop, and a dash of funk. What does all this add up to? One large helping of Crunk rock to get you out of your seat and moving! Family Force 5 is blasting out the bass, stepping it up a notch, and testing your dance moves (sorry, no help from DDR). Originally formed in Atlanta, the all-brother group changed to what Family Force 5 is now, three bothers and two buds with the greatest nicknames in the industry: Soul Glow Activator, Crouton, Phatty, Nadaddy, and Chap Stique. This band’s look is a train wreck of the gland rock 80’s and the quick-beat hip hop 90’s, with all the rock style to back it up! The music is loud, in your face, and full of danceable tracks with memorable lyrics and beats. Family Force 5, raised in the dirty south, has a rougher edge than most bands, but man can they make some great music!
“Crush me, tear me, break me, mold me,” “Replace Me” is telling the listener of the folly of trying to do it on your own and the need to replace yourself with Jesus. Also, it has great use of the band’s more soulful rapping and hardcore sound. Yes, in one song Family Force 5 brings it together! With a scratchy amped mic, “Luv Addict,” has a message of being addicted to the unconditional love that only comes from God’s grace. There is a music video out for the song featuring ninjas and robots. Sometimes it seemed too sexual, though, losing focus of the message. “Peachy” centers on helping out friends who are constantly searching for meaning. It is also about loving the point in your life when God has become your focus and not wanting to go back to the way they may have been, things are, well…peachy. Taking a lighter note, “Kountry Gentleman” is a great song in which the band members describe being raised in the south and what it means to be a man of integrity. Turning it up, “Earthquake,” “Numb,” and “Supersonic” show off the urban side of these country boys, guaranteed to get you on your feet and ready to bust it.
Lyrically, the band is very adept at throwing rhyme after rhyme and writing verses that are nothing short of unforgettable. At the end you’ll feel like Marty McFly, from Back to the Future, traveling in a warped musical time machine. In so many of the songs, you see traces of many styles from many decades. Their blend of rock and urban elements are done right and it never leaves one style overshadowing the other. With their skill in freestyle rap, this band will work in any party. But be prepared…you’ll want to play this loud! This is a group that will transcend all genres. While most of the songs meanings are somewhat subtle and up to some interpretation, these guys are rocking it the right way. Make sure you take a moment to read the lyrics and understand what they’re saying. Family Force 5 is a force to be reckoned with!