Gazeebow Unit is a rap group from Newfoundland, Canada, founded by a group of teenagers in the provincial capital of St. John's.[1] Gazeebow Unit uses a home computer to develop their music; they integrate samples and downloaded drum loops.[2] The group was noted for its combination of the rap music styles with depictions of working-class Newfoundland culture and the use of the Newfoundland English dialect.[3]
History
Gazeebow Unit was formed in 2005 by young white rappers from a suburban community, calling themselves Mike $hanx, Alpabit, and M to the C.[2][4] They performed and recorded a number of satirical raps, including "Trikes & Bikes", "Mugsy" and "The Anthem". The group did not perform their music live at the time; instead they began distributing them online.[5][2]
In 2006, Gazeebow Unit began performing, and appeared as part of a Donnie Dumphy concert in St. John's.[6]
Critical reception
As well as gaining a large online audience of young rap fans, Gazebow Unit's raps attracted the attention of folklore experts, including Professor Philip Hiscock of Memorial University, who declared the trio's raps to be a form of folk music, blending the new rap form with traditional Newsfoundland culture and lyrics.[2] There was disagreement, however, as to whether the members of the group were serious rappers.[7] Academic Sandra Clarke declared that the use of Newfoundland vernacular by Gazeebow Unit was parodic, imitating the "skeet" blue-collar white culture of Newfoundland, to which the suburban youth did not actually belong.[8][9] Marina Terkourafi, on the other hand, describes their use of Newfoundland dialect as metaparodic.[3]
Further reading
- Gazeebow Unit: Local Language And Vernacularity In A St. John’s Rap Group, Philip Hiscock. Presented MUN Folklore Society, 15 November 2005[1]