Interview w/ New School Hip-Hop Duo, SCAPEGOAT YES-MEN

I am 30 years old.

What that means is that “SoundCloud rap,” if you will, is not my preferred subgenre of rap.

SCAPEGOAT YES-MEN absolutely embodies all that is the SoundCloud rap movement. From their group name to their individual names (Ned, the Koala and Scotty M), to the tracklisting and formatting, to their photo poses, and fashion sense, to the fact that they released this on soundcloud before other streaming services… they have all the makings of your stereotypical “SoundCloud” group.

That Being Said, they make really good music.

And the “SoundCloud rap” label certainly does not define them.

Scotty M (left) & Ned, The Koala (right)

I’m a fan. So it was only right to ask them a few questions about their debut EP, how Ned and Scotty (the two members of the group) came together to collaborate on this album, and more. Ned, the Koala got back to me in response:

KEVIN CHEVALIER: I love the title to the EP and I love the group name. Both sound like you're aware of some sort of societal attack against you and you're fighting back. Care to explain the origin of the group / EP name?

NED, THE KOALA: First off, I wanted to say much love family!  SCAPEGOAT YES-MEN is definitely a source of power/confidence/self-fulfillment for the supporters and those who partake in our art. Self-awareness is key, and that societal attack you speak of a lot of the time comes from the fear of being different, as corny as that sounds. We strive to be different/unique as creators and for those who need a pallet cleanser or a different perspective, we can be that for our fans, we wanna be the reason why the kids start dressing different, start having that intelligent conversation. At the end of the day, we’re all someone’s scapegoat. The YES-MEN aspect to me stems from how me and Scotty communicate with each other. Especially in the studio, we trust each other and our respective ideas 100% and it makes for better art, we’re each other’s yes-men.

The beats are special on this thing — the switch-ups, the clashing of the tough drums and the simple melodies — it's really good and that's coming from someone who doesn't typically like the "soundcloud rap" genre. What do you think of that label being placed on your music?

Ahhhh, The “SoundCloud Rapper” Stigma. To me, that label is only gonna be as true, or as validating as you make it. People will downplay me and call me a SoundCloud rapper, but then I’ll go into my SoundCloud analytics and see them in my recent listeners, so mission accomplished I guess, haha. That label honestly doesn’t get to me as much anymore, I know what I stand for, Scotty knows what he stands for. Life goes on.

How did you guys meet and begin collaborating?

I met Scott in middle school. 6th or 7th grade I believe, so 2012-2013. I could be wrong he has a way better memory than me haha. It’s funny looking back because when I met Scotty we were both in different paths more or less. I was always doing the music thing and he was more so into directing, video games, and other creative ventures, he just stepped into my world and created his own universe in music. We initially had a shared bond over Eminem, Hopsin, Tech N9ne and things like that. Now we literally listen to and create any type of genre.

Where did you guys grow up / where do you live these days?

I was born in Philly and moved out to Phoenixville in 6th grade where I first met Scotty, Now as of late move and shake in and out of the Philly/Phoenixville/Pottstown area.

How do you think the city, it's music, it's people has affected your music?  

Philly as whole gave me a lot of my early footing as far as hip-hop goes. Black Thought is literally an animal at this rap shit. But as far as Ned, The Koala goes, I gotta say I’m tryna shake the game up. Philly in my opinion hasn’t had a renaissance man come and reconstruct it in a while, not saying that’s a good or bad thing. I just know that for me, I’m on a mission. I’m bringing a color into Philly that’s free, that’s whimsical, that’s judgement-free, that’s fun. The key word being fun. Philly has taught me not to stay stagnant and it’s time to breathe that same sentiment back into the city. Next is the world.

"UR GONNA HATE ME" is my favorite song on the EP... going from the chant-like chorus and into that steady second verse gets the head boppin' right after a good head bangin' ... awesome switch up and awareness... curious how this song came together and what the lyric "I've been alive since forever" means to you.

Wow…. LOVE FAMILY!!! Truly an honor to the fullest extent. Okay so “UR GONNA HATE ME” is definitely one for the books. Me and Scotty always have these “that so raven” type conversations, where we talk about our role in the industry now and what’ll be 20 years from now once everything we work towards comes full circle.

We basically are saying that those “powers that be” are gonna have a hard time with us because we see through all the smoke, we’re anti-establishment to the core, and we wanted to make a song that represents that. We wanted to make something very tribal yet hard-hitting with bouncy trap drums with metalcore-style guitars. Everything. And in the song when I shout “been alive since forever” that’s a direct response to when the industry tries to dismiss everything you do as an independent creator until you fall in line with their agenda. Me and Scotty been at this for 10 years plus, a lot of that gets dismissed. As soon as we sign to a label and get a Megan Thee Stallion feature, that’s when we get put in the “Pac and Biggie” convo. Nah, we been alive since forever, not when you start looking.

the album cover

Have you performed in the city at different venues and events?

Most definitely! Shout out Raven Lounge, shout out Dobbs, shout out Life Do Grow Farm, Shout out Voltage, Shout out the whole Philly performing arts circuit as a whole!

Any particular reason you are not on Spotify/Apple Music/Tidal?

To put It simply, it’s the timing for the most part. My first album, “Sebastian” is on Apple Music and all that. But as far as my entire catalog, it definitely will be, just not yet. I wanna accomplish more goals, and tidy up some loose ends before that. Good question.

Any upcoming shows / merch / etc. that you'd like us to promote?

Hell yeah, expect more visuals for the SCAPEGOAT EP to come to fruition, more music from myself, more music from Scotty, and just the SCAPEGOAT YES-MEN takeover. More shows too, definitely more shows, y’all have no idea. In due time obviously, in due time.