We met alternative hip-hop duo Sound Photographers back in late 2020.
Since then, they’ve been hard at working preparing to release their self-titled debut album.
The original version of the album actually came out in 2017, before the band had even established a social media account.
This re-release serves as a new beginning for the duo and is introducing many new listeners to their unique brand of alt-hop.
To celebrate the re-release of their first full length, they took a look back at some of the records that inspired them the most:
Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
“There was something about this album. The style, the music, the freedom. It was really unique, and still is today. No one else sounded like them and they weren’t trying to be anyone but who they were. It came through in the music. It was like Hip-Hop theater, and they always brought a show.”
Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense
“David Byrne’s soul is something else. He really speaks through the music. It’s just slammin’. I came across Talking Heads in college and it really opened my mind to what music could be. The band is so cohesive and creative. Everybody brings something unique. Seeing the live performance film and watching the audience go crazy for the
band lit a fire under me. Byrne is strange and unashamed.”
Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
“This album spoke the Pop-Rock side of Sound Photographers. I heard “Sweet Dreams”, on one of those scrolling music infomercials, as a kid. It stuck with me for life. Annie Lennox, man. Start to finish, the music and lyrics are great. This is an album that always inspires creativity and gives us juice.”
David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
“Super Wiggy. Bowie really knew how to put on a show. He was unique, bold, and powerful. Who you are is enough and more is my takeaway from David Bowie and his legacy.”
Blackstar – Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Blackstar
“Blackstar. Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Listening to this duo as youngin’ was something special. Raw, rugged, classy. Hood gentleman. I connected with the variety of music they made individually. When they came together on this project it benefitted black culture.
The beats, the verses, the flows. They were all immaculate. They were really teaching with style in their lyrics and delivery. This was an album that became a part of me.”
Dungeon Family – Even in Darkness
“This collaboration was a spectacle. 3 Stacks, Fat Sax, Cee-Lo, Ali Gip, Kurupt. Cee-Lo’s verse on “Crooked Booty” sets the tone for the whole album. It’s funky, it’s jazzy, it’s Hip-Hop on a whole different level. The project is one of a kind and hits home every time I put it on.”
Mos Def – Black on Both Sides & Talib Kweli – Quality
“These two albums came into my life at a young age with equal effect. I loved the rawness of Talib Kweli and the laid back swagger of Mos Def. They made me want to write. And write well. With style and flavor. The messages behind the beats, confident flows and lyrics had me keep them on repeat.”
Gorillaz – Self-Titled
“This is a recent favorite. Major favorite. You can really connect with the lyrics in these songs. This album’s got a feel you can touch. Pour yourself into your highest energy is my takeaway from this one.”
Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
“Life changing music. Hearing her process her experiences through the music helped me process mine. The musicality and vocal range is inspiring. It’s raw and full of love.”
Macy Gray – On How Life Is
“The first time I saw Macy Gray was in the Spiderman movie. Her vocals blew me away. I heard her one day on Spotify singing “Do Something” by Outkast. She tells a story with this album. I also really love her adapted covers. She’s a very confident artist.”
LISTEN TO SOUND PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ALBUM:
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