Recently showcased within my staggering 284-hour Black Punk/Hardcore Long-player: Then, Now, Adjacent & Inspired By Spotify playlist, Rebelmatic is a genre-defying force in the New York City music scene. Since about 2009, they’ve seamlessly been blending the raw energy of hardcore punk with the groove of funk, the soul of hip-hop, and the weight of social consciousness. Their music is as much about resistance as it is about rhythm, a brutal sonic collision that has earned them likenesses to "James Brown in a moshpit."
Rebelmatic has garnered praise and acclaim from peers such as H.R. of Bad Brains, KOOL A.D. once of Das Racist/PARTY ANIMAL, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels of RUN-D.M.C., and Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello. Additionally, RebelMatic has either performed alongside and/or collaborated with the likes of Pure Hell, Slick Rick, Death, GZA (drummer Ramsey Jones’ cousin,) Fishbone frontman Angelo Moore, and former Taking Back Sunday drummer/producer Mark O'Connell.
Rebelmatic frontman Siddiq Booker, aka Creature, aka Creaturenomics, aka Creech also moonlights as an emcee having collaborated with hip-hop artists like Armand Hammer/E L U C I D, Rob Sonic & Hangar 18, Viktor Vaughn, aka MF DOOM, KOOL A.D., Homeboy Sandman, and FATBOI SHARIF. Creature also runs his own production company and record label dubbed Coffee Grind Media.
Rebelmatic just dropped their latest album, Black Hole Eats the Tornado, last week in partnership with Say-10 Records. I’ve been chatting and texting with Creature for these past couple months thanks to a connection made by my fellow No Echo correspondent Adam Yoe. Creature and I recently linked up via email to have a discussion about Black Hole Eats the Tornado, pieces of album and single artwork, and the possibility of Rebelmatic remix and hip-hop features albums.
Check out interview below, which has been lightly edited for general clarity.
Who are the members of Rebelmatic and what is each member's role within the band?
Creature - vocals/lyrics
Alkatraz - guitar
Karnage - bass
Ramsey Jones - drums
Each member brings a unique energy that fuels our sound—Alkatraz’s sharp, precise riffs, Karnage’s deep groove, Ramsey’s driving, soulful drumming, and my lyrics and vocal energy.
How, when, where, and why did Rebelmatic initially form?
Rebelmatic was formed in 2008 in New York City. Besides wanting to make good music that spoke to us and for us, we came together to create a sound that reflected our lived experiences as brothers navigating the wilderness of North America.
What is the intended meaning and/or significance behind your band name?
It’s a fusion of being a “rebel”—one who challenges the status quo—and “automatic,” meaning it's instinctual and unstoppable. We always say it’s "James Brown in a moshpit"—something that hits you in the soul while making you move.
Who or what would you readily cite as a few of your greatest sources of personal inspiration and influence while creation of Black Hole Eats the Tornado?
We draw inspiration from living in New York City—it’s a constant pulse of chaos, beauty, struggle, and resilience. Touring a bunch, especially grinding through The Pandemic and still finding ways to perform really shaped our mindset.
The album is, also, born from experiences of love, loss, social unrest, and everything in-between. Individually and collectively, we listen to a wide array of music—punk, funk, hip-hop, soul, hardcore, [and] jazz—you name it. All of that seeps into our sound. Life itself is the biggest influence and 'Black Hole Eats the Tornado' reflects that.
How were the tracks contained on Black Hole Eats the Tornado typically recorded? (ie: all in the studio together, separately and emailed back-and-forth, etc.)
We always record all together at the same time—live in the studio. That’s how we capture the rawness and energy of what we do. Usually, we play the songs in our live set before we record them, so by the time we hit the studio, they’re already battle-tested. That chemistry, that muscle memory—it’s all there and it translates in the recordings. We want the listener to feel what it’s like to be in the room with us.
What can you tell us about the significance or intended messages behind the Black Hole Eats the Tornado album artwork, as well as the separate pieces of single artwork for "Peace," "Help," "Cornbread & Collard Greens," and "Forever More?"
The album artwork, done by Olaf, represents destruction and rebirth. A black hole consumes everything—including chaos (the tornado)—but it, also, creates new energy. "Peace" – represents the illusion of peace vs. the struggle for true freedom. "Help" – inspired by Friday The 13th and Get Out, it speaks to loss, self-determination, and survival.
"Cornbread & Collard Greens" – a celebration of culture, roots, and survival through food, history, and music. "Forever More" – a reflection on time, legacy, and the things we leave behind.
How would you say Rebelmatic's overall sound, style, delivery, approach, etc. has changed, progressed, and developed since your last release, 2022's Mourning Dove EP?
We aren't changing our sound so much as we're expanding it, crafting a richer, more diverse musical experience while staying true to our core identity. It's a natural evolution. We're letting our experiences, inspirations, and influences guide us allowing them to fuse into our kind of sonic alchemy.
Who else, in addition to aside from the core band members, helped create or contributed to the making-of Black Hole Eats the Tornado?
My son Hannibal's [album] title, RebelMatic's unstoppable energy and spirit, Olaf's visuals, and Mike Prochillo's engineering all worked together tobring Black Hole Eats the Tornado to life.
What are the chances we'll ever get a full Rebelmatic remix album featuring songs like "Walk On Water" (Mike Ladd Remix,) "Amnesia" (Rob Sonic Remix,) and "I Said What I Said" (No Surrender Remix)?
That would be fire! It’s been talked about and if we get the right producers and energy, it could happen. The remixes we’ve done, so far, have been incredible, so a full remix album isn’t out of the question.
Who are some of your personal favorite (for lack of a better term) black punk/hardcore bands that are currently actively releasing music?
Lake Lanier, ROUGH FRANCIS, Seize & Desist, and Radkey are a few current ones that stand out right now—they’re doing important work and bringing heat in their way. When it’s all said and done, it’s about creating authentic, good music that reflects your lived experience.
So, have you ever discussed doing a Rebelmatic album in collaboration with a variety of emcees and/or hip-hop producers in the same vein as Creature (aka Creaturenomics, aka Creech)'s solo work and features?
It's possible. If we decided to pursue a project like that, it would be done with skill, love, and a deep respect for all the genres involved—done correctly.
What's planned next for Rebelmatic?
More music, more shows, more love spread, and more being good humans—that's what's next for Rebelmatic. Specifically, Black Hole Eats the Tornado [dropped on] April 11th, the tour [kicked] off [on] April 12th and we'll be doing an in-store performance at Generation Records on May 3rd.
Stay in tune with us on social media. Thank you for the interview and peace and love to all our family, friends, and supporters. Shout out [to] No Echo.
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Black Hole Eats the Tornado is available now on all music streaming outlets. The vinyl version is up for pre-order via Say-10 Records at this link.
