There is a shroud of darkness that hangs over Mixed Blood Majority's full-length debut, Insane World. Rather than addressing the specific events and movements that have made 2015 especially insane to live through, emcees Joe Horton (No Bird Sing) and Crescent Moon (Kill the Vultures) steep themselves in the mood and emotion of the day, turning inward to reflect on how to survive in a world that feels increasingly fractured.

I was curious how the songs on Insane World would translate in an in-studio setting, and all three members definitely delivered their performance with intensity. But what struck me the most about this session was how in tune Joe Horton, Crescent Moon, and producer Lazerbeak were with one another — at times, the two MCs blend their voices so seamlessly that it's hard to tell them apart — and how exceedingly thoughtful they were in their approach and their answers to my interview questions.

In addition to delivering three songs from Insane World, the trio shared stories about how they started working together, how they shaped the narrative and mood of the new album, and how their shared experience of fatherhood has affected the way they view the world.

Mixed Blood Majority play an album-release show at First Avenue on Friday, Dec. 11, with P.O.S. and GRRRL PRTY.

Songs Performed

"Same Thing Coming"
"Blinded"
"One Chain"

All songs off Mixed Blood Majority's self-released album Insane World.

Hosted by Andrea Swensson
Produced by Andrea Swensson
Engineered by Mike DeMark
Web feature by Andrea Swensson

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