The Face Mix 007: Sporting Life
The experimental hip-hop producer provides a taste of New York’s underground.
As the producer in the NYC trio Ratking, Sporting Life created intense, psychedelic beats for MCs Wiki and Hak to bounce off – resulting in some of the most unique rap music of this decade. He’s embraced his experimental instincts throughout his solo career, and he’s part of the fabric of New York’s free-spirited underground music scene.
On 27th September, he releases the Black Diamond EP, which features Wiki, footwork producer Taso, Nick Hakim and lo-fi rapper MIKE – check out the visuals for the track Crux here. Sporting Life’s Face mix blends tracks from the NYC with material from acts like Kanye West, Pi’erre Bourne and Atlanta rapper Young Nudy. Listen to the player above and check out the tracklist below.
What’s the vibe and direction of your Face mix?
The collection of songs include tracks I’m inspired by and listen to a lot while I’m at my climbing gym. Yesterday my friend Akai called what we we’re making ‘Neo New York’. I liked that.
What are your hopes and fears for New York’s music scene?
No hope, no fears, no hunger, no thirst. I just tune in to what inspires me and that creates the reality of my scene. Ask not what the scene can do for you… ask what you are gonna do for the scene, you know what I’m saying?
Who would you most like to see on the cover of The Face?
James Massiah or Jadasea.
Which underground /upcoming artists on the scene should we should look out for?
Aye there’s a lot! I’ve been listening to my friend Ade Hakim’s project with his brother called Blood Brothers. I think Camden Malik is really unique as well.
Tracklist
Pi’erre Bourne – Ballad
MIIKE – Planet
Galcher Lustwerk – Life
MIKE – It’s Like Basketball
First Circle – Morgan 2
Camden Malik – Thermal Vision
Kanye West – 80 Degrees
Blood Brothers – Bruce
Sporting Life – Destination Nowhere
STEPHA – you see me
Sport – Memory of Falling
Sporting Life – Cold Girl Winter (instrumental)
Young Nudy – Homies
