Photo by Gabriel Perez/KUTX
Once in a blue moon there is a union that creates something new, different, and great. When Austin hip-hop duo Riders Against the Storm formed, it was husband-wife duo Chaka and Qi Dada. Fast forward a few years and, thanks to sampling and interpolation, we have a sonic marriage of Riders Against The Storm and Alabama Shakes.
The music of Alabama Shakes seems like a perfect choice for vocalist Qi Dada, who, like Brittany Howard, is an outspoken advocate for empowering women. With the help of producer M Rey De Leon, Riders Against The Storm turn the riff from “Don’t Wanna Fight” into a new song, which the group played live in our Studio 1A. “RE:AL” allows Chaka and Qi Dada to lyrically tag-team over a well-known lick without stealing Howard’s thunder.
Riders Against The Storm presents RAS Day Fest at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard on Saturday, August 27th.
—Jack Anderson // host, Saturdays 6-10 a.m.
