Comprised of producer/instrumentalists Guy Zalaxy and Bucky Skullet, Sup? is a hip hop duo with electronic flare and a very specific vision for the future of their music. Their very first single, “I Quit” and their full album of the same name, will only be available to purchase on NFT, and there are only 100 copies. Part of an ever-growing climate where labels are becoming obsolete and with no other option to track and recoup royalties (some artists have made it a second full-time job while others are missing out on thousands every month), Sup? not only decided locked content was the best way forward, but they were also inspired by the Crypto/NFT boone.
We’ve opted to to deliver our genesis record in the NFT format, which feels appropriate considering cryptocurrency and decentralization has offered financial freedom to so many, and has actually enabled many people to Quit their jobs or previous lifestyles. If you are holding a crypto bag, this one is for you.
Through this process, Sup? has also tried to re-examine what it means to be a “quitter,” and they put it to their listeners that it shouldn’t necessarily be a pejorative. Conjuring images of the legendary Scarface “fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, you’re cool…fuck you, I’m out” scene in Half Baked, “I Quit” declares that there is something empowering in leaving a toxic or stuck space and making the decision that you deserve better. Many people have been thinking about such things while stuck inside for the last 18 months, and culture has been changing around the idea of self-care and self love. “I Quit” seems, then. to be an anthem of that self-love and of feeling happy with one’s choices.
Society has always tried to reinforce the idea that quitting is weak, and that there is something inherently bad about a Quitter. This track is a triumphant ode that flips that notion on its head, and celebrates the empowerment one feels when they take control of their own destiny. Quitting something that no longer serves you is an important step in the journey of life. These are the victorious sounds of Quitting that thing you no longer need.
Musically, “I Quit” is a chill hip hop beat supporting a vintage synth arrangement that’s sort of vapor wave-meets-90s freestyle in timbre. The vocals are also chill and serene despite the content of the lyrics being largely made up of “bitch I quit.” Again, an interesting juxtaposition of smooth and electronic, the vox sort of sounds like a robot version or Snoop Dogg, sitting on a couch in a breakroom somewhere smoking a blunt in their boss’s face. If that’s what Sup? were going for, they nailed it.
It seems music lovers should get used to purchasing music in this format soon, and why not? This way, everyone knows exactly where their money is going and the artists can guarantee quality of cut. It’s easy to see where Sup? are coming from, both philosophically and business-wise. In the meantime, their track is a jam and likely has fans waiting for the full album to drop.
In keeping with the digital theme, Sup? also created a discord server for their album release as well as an online virtual release party, a sort of 8-bit disco that plays the new single as the user can wander around the room. The NFT of the single “I Quit” is available on OpenSea now, with the master also up for grabs.
