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Plastic Little (band)

{{short description|American hip hop group}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Plastic Little

| image = Plastic Little Sept 2007.jpg

| caption = Kurt Hunte and Jayson Musson (from left) performing at Sonar, Baltimore, September 12, 2007

| image_size =

| alias =

| origin = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|2-step}}

| years_active =

| label = {{hlist|aNYthing|SoundInk|Free News Projects{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p841566/discography|accessdate=March 30, 2011}}}}

| website = {{URL|http://www.myspace.com/plasticlittlerap|Plastic Little on Myspace}}

| current_members =

  • PackofRats
  • No Body's Child
  • Jon Thousand
  • DJ Si Young
  • Squid

| past_members = MC Spank Rock

}}

Plastic Little is an American rap group consisting of Jayson Musson (PackofRats), Kurt Hunte (No Body's Child), Jon Folmar (Jon Thousand), Si Young Lee (DJ Si Young) and Michael Stern (SQUID).{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9700-shes-mature | title=She's Mature review | work=Pitchfork Media | first=Sean | last=Fennessey | date=January 3, 2007 | accessdate=March 30, 2011 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.myspace.com/plasticlittlerap | title=Official Myspace site | work=Myspace | accessdate=March 30, 2011 }} The name "Plastic Little" comes from the Manga and OVA, Plastic Little simply as, according to Musson, "The way the 2 words go together, I like it".{{cite web | url=http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/features/national/3318/Interview+with+Plastic+Little | title=Jayson Musson Interview | work=Glasswerk | publisher=Art In The Age | first=Ant | last=Standring | date=November 26, 2007 | accessdate=April 20, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325072449/http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/features/national/3318/Interview+with+Plastic+Little | archive-date=March 25, 2012 | url-status=dead }} Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; they've worked with other notable artists from the area, including Amanda Blank and Spank Rock.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/12/plastic.little | title=The Guardian - Band Intro | work=The Guardian | first=Paul | last=Lester | date=September 12, 2008 | accessdate=March 30, 2011 }}

Background

Originally consisting of only Musson and Hunte, Plastic Little formed during the summer of 2001.{{cite web | url=http://www.simpleproductions.co.uk/acts/plastic_little.php | title=Plastic Little Bio | work=Simple Productions | author=Coda | date=October 4, 2008 | accessdate=May 4, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324001437/http://www.simpleproductions.co.uk/acts/plastic_little.php | archive-date=March 24, 2012 | url-status=dead }} After little success the pair started looking for "some proper white folks" to appeal to a wider audience. In late 2002, producer Michael Squid joined the group and together they completed their self-released album Thug Paradise 2.1, released in 2003. A few years later, DJ and producer Si Young joined the group as the group's DJ.

Subsequent to its release the first 6 tracks were released by 'aNYthing Records', for which it received wide critical acclaim from a variety of sources such as Pitchfork Media and Vice Magazine.{{cite web | url=http://www.apolloaudio.com/album.asp?a=Plastic-Little-Selections-From-Shes-Mature | title=She's Mature | work=Apollo Audio | accessdate=April 21, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904052602/http://www.apolloaudio.com/album.asp?a=Plastic-Little-Selections-From-Shes-Mature | archive-date=September 4, 2011 | url-status=dead }}

Following up on this success, Plastic Little released their first studio album, She's Mature, in 2006 to mixed reviews.

Subsequent to the release of this album the band spent much of the next following years touring both the United States and the UK, both playing shows of their own and also in a supporting role for various artists. The group has shared the stage with M.I.A., Diplo, Blockhead, Mark Ronson,{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/29906-lollapalooza-report-sunday-amy-phillips/ | title=Lollapalooza report | work=Pitchfork Media | first=Amy | last=Phillips | date=August 3, 2008 | accessdate=May 4, 2011 }} Jay-Z, Bonde Do Role,{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/nme/30045 | title=Bondo De Role | website=NME | date=August 1, 2007 | accessdate=May 4, 2011}} Roots Manuva,{{cite web | url=http://www.shout4music.com/new-music-radar/plastic-little.html | title=Roots Manuva | work=shout4music | first=Neil | last=Baston | date=October 1, 2008 | accessdate=May 4, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Z-Trip,{{cite web | url=http://www.prefixmag.com/news/z-trip-plastic-little-pics-videos-from-studio-b/9246/ | title=Z-Trip | first=Dave | last=Park | date=May 2, 2007 | accessdate=May 4, 2011}} Belleruche,{{cite web | url=http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/361553-belleruche-and-plastic-little | title=Belleruche | work=Metro | publisher=Associated Newspapers Limited | first=Amanda | last=Trickett | date=October 16, 2008 | accessdate=May 4, 2011}} Dizzie Rascal,{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/name/9529 | title=Dizzee Rascal | work=NME | publisher=IPC Media | first=Jamie | last=Fullerton | date=February 29, 2008 | accessdate=May 4, 2011}} Santogold{{cite web | url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/09/santogolds_gold.html | title=SantoGold | work=BrooklynVegan | date=September 20, 2008 | accessdate=May 4, 2011}} and Chromeo as well as Philadelphia's own Need New Body and Man Man.

File:Plastic Little performing, 2005.jpg, PA.]]

Plastic Little released their second album Welcome to the Jang House in 2008 to the UK audience only. The album compiles tracks from their self-released album, Thug Paradise, as well as their debut album, She's Mature; adding a couple of new tracks also. The album received mainly positive reviews, with critics praising Little's ability to blend many genres together into one album while still sounding "fresh and bold";{{cite web | url=http://www.dailymusicguide.com/Reviews/plastic-little-welcome-jang-house-album-review-07092008-1358.aspx | title=Welcome to the Jang House - Daily music guide review | work=dailymusicguide | first=Charlie | last=Ashcroft | date=August 29, 2008 | accessdate=May 5, 2011 }} their "tongue-in-cheek brilliance";{{cite web | url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/plastic-little_0908.htm | title=Welcome to the Jang House - musicOHM review | work=musicOMH | first=Azeem | last=Ahmad | date=September 29, 2008 | accessdate=May 5, 2011 }} and their "biting critique of society at large" and "acerbic wit and intelligence".{{cite web | url=http://www.noizemakesenemies.co.uk/plastic-little-present-their-uk-debut-welcome-to-the-jang-haus | title=Welcome to the Jang Haus - Noize review | work=Noize Makes Enemies | author=Noize | date=August 5, 2008 | accessdate=May 5, 2011 }}

2008 also saw them touring the UK in support of their album{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/11/plastic.little.tour | title=Guardian Tour info | work=The Guardian | publisher=Scott Trust | first=John | last=Robinson | date=October 11, 2008 | accessdate=May 5, 2011 }} and featuring in a number of festivals; including Glastonbury (for Mark Ronson),{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/mark-ronson/37733 | title=Glastonbury festival info | work=NME | publisher=IPC Media | date=June 29, 2008 | accessdate=May 5, 2011 }} Creamfields,{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/events/creamfields08.shtml | title=Creamfields festival info | work=BBC | date=August 11, 2008 | accessdate=May 5, 2011 }} Get Loaded in The Park (for Ronson),{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-hives/36069 | title=Get Loaded festival info | work=NME | publisher=IPC Media | date=April 21, 2008 | accessdate=May 5, 2011 }} Lollapalooza and the O2 Wireless festival (again for Ronson).{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/jay-z/37853 | title=O2 Wireless festival info | work=NME | publisher=IPC Media | date=July 4, 2008 | accessdate=May 5, 2011 }}

=Harlem Shake=

A sample of the song "Miller Time", from the self-released 2003 album Thug Paradise 2.1, was featured in the Baauer song "Harlem Shake" in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/02/15/fader-explains-harlem-shake/ |title=FADER Explains: Harlem Shake |work=The Fader |first=Naomi |last=Zeichner |date=2013-02-15 |accessdate=2013-03-04}} The sample was used without the permission of the band, who then sought compensation from Mad Decent records for the copyright infringement, along with reggaeton artist Héctor Delgado,{{cite web|url=http://www.latinorebels.com/2013/02/22/is-uncredited-voice-behind-con-los-terroristas-sample-in-harlem-shake-song-suing-dj-bauuer/ |title=Is Uncredited Voice Behind "Con Los Terroristas" Sample in "Harlem Shake" Song Suing DJ Baauer? |publisher=Latinorebels.com |date=2013-02-22 |accessdate=2013-04-03}} due to the success of the release.{{cite web|last=Stern |first=Marlow |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/17/meet-baauer-the-man-behind-the-harlem-shake.html |title=Meet Baauer, the Man Behind the Harlem Shake |work=The Daily Beast |date=2013-02-18 |accessdate=2013-04-03}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/11/arts/music/baauers-harlem-shake-hits-no-1-with-unlicensed-samples.html?pagewanted=all |work=New York Times |first=James C. |last=McKinley Jr. |authorlink=James C. McKinley Jr.|date=2013-03-10 |accessdate=2013-04-03 |title=Surprise Hit Was a Shock for Artists Heard on It}} Musson stated the label were "more than cooperative during this". "Harlem Shake" became an internet meme in February 2013 after various groups of people performed a dance (unrelated to the original Harlem shake) to it and uploaded the videos to YouTube.{{cite magazine|last=Frere-Jones |first=Sasha |authorlink=Sasha Frere-Jones |url=https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/sashafrerejones/2013/02/shake-what-your-internet-friend-gave-you.html |title=Shake What Your Internet Friend Gave You: Baauer and "Harlem Shake" |magazine=The New Yorker |date=2013-02-22 |accessdate=2013-03-04}} The original lyrics ("And if you bring a 40 bottle to battle me/ I'll just punch you in the face/ then do the Harlem Shake") were a reference to a fight Musson had with a local graffiti artist after a Plastic Little gig.{{cite web|first=Jill |last=Rosen |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/02/17/harlem-shake-has-baltimore-moving-too/ |title='Harlem Shake' has Baltimore moving, too |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=2013-02-17 |access-date=2013-03-04}}

Musical style

Their music has been variously described as rap, hip-hop, 2-step, Gallery Rap and, in their own words, Broke Pop{{cite web | url=http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/plastic-little | title=Plastic Little | work=Clash Magazine | first=Paul | last=Sullivan | date=August 1, 2008 | accessdate=March 30, 2011 }} and Party Rap.{{cite web | url=http://thechuckler.com/blog/interview_with_jayson_musson_artist_rapper_folk_singer | title=Jayson Musson interview | work=The Chuckler | author=The Vulture | date=August 10, 2006 | accessdate=March 30, 2011 }}

Plastic Little are known for their often tongue-in-cheek, comedic lyrical style while still being "simultaneously too full of themselves and astoundingly self-aware".

Influences

Plastic Little list a wide range of artists as their influences, including The Roots,{{cite web | url=http://www.montrealmirror.com/2007/051007/music1.html | title=Fools Gold - J Musson interview | work=Montreal Mirror | publisher=Communications Gratte-Ciel Ltée | first=Rupert | last=Bottenberg | date=May 16, 2007 | accessdate=April 11, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630172953/http://www.montrealmirror.com/2007/051007/music1.html | archive-date=June 30, 2012 | url-status=dead }} Yellowman,{{cite web | url=http://www.subba-cultcha.com/features/article.php?contentID=13427 | title=Plastic Little interview | work=Subba-Cultcha | first=Ron | last=ONeill | accessdate=March 30, 2011 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326103546/http://www.subba-cultcha.com/features/article.php?contentID=13427 | archivedate=March 26, 2012 | df=mdy-all }} Three 6 Mafia, Bonnie Raitt, Dwight Yoakam, Sade, R. Kelly and even Disney.

Discography

=Albums=

=EPs=

  • Thug Paradise (2005){{cite web | url=http://www.wavelengthtoronto.com/wavelog/2006/08/august-reviews | title=Thug Paradise review | work=Wavelength Music Arts Projects | first=Ryan | last=McLaren | date=August 9, 2006 | accessdate=May 6, 2011 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130209025037/http://www.wavelengthtoronto.com/wavelog/2006/08/august-reviews | archivedate=February 9, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}

=Singles=

  • "F.O.I.L. (I Rock)" (2004){{cite web | url=http://www.urbansmarts.com/reviews/vinyl/plasticlittle.htm | title=F.O.I.L review by Urban Smarts | work=Urban Smarts | author=Tadah | date=January 11, 2005 | accessdate=May 6, 2011 }}
  • "Crambodia" (2006){{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/apr/22/shopping | title=Crambodia - Observer review | work=The Observer | first=Steve | last=Yates | date=April 22, 2007 | accessdate=May 6, 2011 }}
  • "The Jump Off" (2006){{cite web | url=http://www.discogs.com/Plastic-Little-The-Jump-Off/release/983720 | title=The Jump Off at Discogs | work=Discogs | accessdate=May 6, 2011 }}
  • "I'm Not a Thug" (2007){{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/nov/11/verve | title=I'm Not a Thug - Observer review | work=The Observer | first=Ben | last=Thompson | date=November 11, 2007 | accessdate=May 6, 2011 }}
  • "Get Close" with sample from The Cure's song "Close to Me" (2008){{cite web | url=http://www.noizemakesenemies.co.uk/plastic-little-find-the-cure-new-single-tour-news | title=Get Close announcement on Noize | work=Noize Makes Enemies | author=Noize | date=February 27, 2008 | accessdate=May 6, 2011 }}
  • "La La Land" (2009){{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=122&title=plastic_little_la_la_land_free_mp3&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 | title=NME - La La Land review | work=NME | publisher=IPC Media | first=Tim | last=Chester | date=May 29, 2009 | accessdate=May 6, 2011 }}

=Appearances and remixes=

  • 2007 Dub Pistols – "Open" (Plastic Little Remix){{cite web | url = https://music.apple.com/gb/album/open/256437813 | title = Dub Pistols - Open at iTunes| website = iTunes| date = June 10, 2007| access-date=April 1, 2011}}
  • 2007 Just Jack – "Writer's Block" (Plastic Little Remix){{cite web | url = https://music.apple.com/ie/album/writers-block-plastic-little/257753820 | title = Just Jack - Writer's Block at iTunes| website = iTunes| date = January 2007| access-date=April 1, 2011}}
  • 2007 Leon Jean Marie – "Bed of Nails" (Plastic Little Remix){{cite web | url = http://www.discogs.com/Leon-Jean-Marie-Bed-Of-Nails/master/255640 | title = Leon Jean Marie - Bed of Nails at Discogs | work=Discogs | accessdate=April 1, 2011}}
  • 2008 Ministry of Sound – The Annual 2009
  • Hervé - "Cheap Thrills" (Vocal Club Mix)
  • 2008 Daniel Merriweather – "Chainsaw" (Plastic Little Remix){{cite web | url = http://www.stokedpr.com/news/daniel-merriweather-54.htm | title = Daniel Merriweather - Chainsaw at Stokedpr | accessdate = April 1, 2011 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100324020128/http://www.stokedpr.com/news/daniel-merriweather-54.htm | archivedate = March 24, 2010 | df = mdy-all }}
  • 2008 Filthy Dukes – Nonsense in the Dark
  • Filthy Dukes - "Tupac Robot Club Rock" (Feat. Plastic Little){{cite web | url = http://www.discogs.com/Filthy-Dukes-Nonsense-in-the-Dark/master/149072 | title = Filthy Dukes - Nonsense in the Dark at Discogs | work=Discogs | accessdate=April 1, 2011}}
  • 2008 The Clik Clik – "Did You Wrong" (Plastic Little Remix){{cite web | url = http://www.discogs.com/Clik-Clik-Did-You-Wrong/release/1474757 | title = The Clik Clik - Did You Wrong at Discogs | work=Discogs | accessdate=April 1, 2011}}
  • 2009 Eliza Doolittle - "Rollerblades" (Plastic Little Remix Vocal){{cite web | url = http://www.discogs.com/Eliza-Doolittle-Rollerblades/release/1986640 | title = Eliza Doolittle - Rollerblades at Discogs | work=Discogs | accessdate=April 1, 2011}}
  • 2009 Eliza Doolittle – "Rollerblades" (Plastic Little Remix Dub)
  • 2009 Jahcoozi – "Watching You" (Plastic Little Remix){{cite web | url = https://music.apple.com/us/album/watching-you/317187490 | title = Jahcoozi - Watching You at iTunes| website = iTunes| date = June 2, 2009| access-date=April 1, 2011}}
  • 2011 Missill – Kawaii
  • Missill – "Raw Dog" (Feat. Plastic Little){{cite web | url = http://www.discogs.com/Missill-Kawaii/release/2752606 | title = Missill - Kawaii at Discogs | work=Discogs | accessdate=April 1, 2011}}
  • Missil – "Bemore" (Feat. Deeon, Plastic Little)

References

{{Reflist|2}}

External links

  • [http://www.myspace.com/plasticlittlerap Plastic Little on MySpace]
  • [http://anewyorkthing.com aNYthing Records]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20070730084048/http://sound-ink.com/ Sound-ink records]
  • [http://www.freenewsprojects.com Free News Projects]

{{Plastic Little}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Plastic Little}}

Category:American hip-hop groups

Category:Musical groups from Philadelphia

Category:Rappers from Philadelphia

Category:Musical groups established in 2001

Category:Hip-hop groups from Philadelphia