The Tamesis
Bygdetrapen is excited to apply this sound to a genre closely related to urban life. “We thought it would be cool to do this hard hip-hop music with this weird dialect that has nothing to do with hip-hop,” Subaru explains.
HC’s soft-spoken, staccato, authoritative tone in everyday conversation, half drill sergeant, half machine, fuels this dialect, but it’s worth noting that Bygdetrapen don’t use auto-tune, preferring the raw, jagged edges of their own sound. “My father, he always said [the dialect]” HC said. “When I found my voice and what I wanted to rap about, it was when I imagined myself rapping the way my dad would talk. Subaru’s voice, by comparison, is warmer and softer. “You might say my voice is more boyish or less masculine, maybe.” For a Norwegian, I have a childish tone. “
The duo, friends since sixth grade, have been making music together for about three years (they both have solo projects). They began to gain traction with the release of Arctic Cat in January. The song and its punchy beat were inspired by a visit to a gas station in a remote town where Arctic Cat T-shirts were sold. (Arctic Cat is a popular snowmobile brand.) “It sparked memories for us,” Subaru said.
Just as Bygdetrapen tapped into local voices, they also adapted local uniforms. “We used a lot of neon reflectors and camo because we come from a place where people typically wear neon reflectors and camo,” Subaru explains. “We really just wanted to push this because it’s very contrary to what’s popular in hip-hop or other music.” The pair both like Swedish brands Blåkläder and Biltema, and like to shop at Cheap-workwear.com. They also began covering their faces with balaclavas and ski goggles.
But even behind the mask, Bygdetrapen quickly gained a reputation. they fell mixtapetheir first album, the first Monday in May. Subaru is the main producer on the film, but five other actors, including Swedes Goode (Karl-Mikael Goran Belander) and Worsum (Arthur Carl Nyquist), also contributed. “They’re doing some new things that I’ve never heard of before,” Wortham said. “I’m a big fan of their production and musical direction. I thought they could go a long way, and when they asked me to collaborate with them, it felt like a no-brainer.”
