Injury Reserve was an American hip hop group formed in 2013 in Tempe, Arizona. The group consisted of rappers Stepa J. Groggs (Jordan Groggs), Ritchie with a T (Nathaniel Ritchie), and producer Parker Corey.[3]
Injury Reserve | |
|---|---|
_(35079647356).png) Injury Reserve performing in 2017; from left to right: Stepa J. Groggs and Ritchie with a T. Parker Corey not pictured | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Tempe, Arizona, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2013–2023 |
| Labels |
|
| Spinoffs | By Storm |
| Past members | Ritchie with a T Parker Corey Stepa J. Groggs |
| Website | injuryreserve |
After the death of Groggs in 2020 and the release of the group's second and final studio album, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, the remaining members regrouped under the name By Storm in July 2023.[4]
History edit
2013–2014: Career beginnings, Depth Chart and Cooler Colors edit
Injury Reserve was formed in 2013 by producer Parker Corey and rappers Stepa J. Groggs, and Ritchie with a T after Groggs was featured on Ritchie's mixtape produced by Corey. Ritchie first met Corey through a mutual friend in high school after looking for producers, and met Groggs in middle school when Groggs was working at a Foot Locker store in Phoenix.
In 2013, the group released Depth Chart, their 15-track debut concept mixtape. There was a music video released for "Harvey Dent" to promote the project.[5] Most tracks were based on the premise of a basketball player being drafted. It was released through digital platforms such as Audiomack, but was delisted after the subsequent media attention from 2015's Live from the Dentist Office. It was a relatively unknown release with very little press or media attention, garnering them not much of an audience.
In 2014, the group released Cooler Colors, a 7-track EP, led by singles, "Black Sheep", "Groundhog Day", and "How Bout You".[3] It was released through digital platforms such as Audiomack, but was delisted in the same fashion as Depth Chart. The group doesn't refer to these projects as their debuts, and instead refers to Live from the Dentist Office as their debut.[6]
Cooler Colors was mostly us trying to replicate our favorite artists, and we found that really corny. When me and Parker critique people, we'll say "Oh that guy sounds like this guy" and then we were realized we're total hypocrites. Live from the Dentist was us finding our own sound, and that's why we call that the first actual Injury Reserve project, because the music's original and it gets at our personalities.
Ritchie with a T, in a 2016 interview with The Daily Texan[6]
2015–2016: Live from the Dentist Office and Floss edit
In 2015, the group self-released Live from the Dentist Office, their 11-track breakout mixtape with features from Chuck Inglish, Curtis Williams, Glass Popcorn, and Demi Hughes.[7] The mixtape was released through multiple digital platforms such as SoundCloud, iTunes, Tidal, and Spotify.[8] Physical copies of the project were later sold through Injury Reserve's online store.[9] Live from the Dentist Office generally received acclaim from music critics.
On December 15, 2016, Injury Reserve released their second mixtape titled Floss, released again through a variety of digital platforms to similar acclaim. The mixtape featured Vic Mensa and Cakes da Killa. Both projects were actually recorded in a dental office belonging to producer Parker Corey's grandfather.[10]
2017–2019: Drive It Like It's Stolen, signing to Loma Vista, Injury Reserve edit
On September 29, 2017, the group released an EP titled Drive It Like It's Stolen, preceded by the singles, "North Pole" (featuring Austin Feinstein), "See You Sweat", and "Boom (X3)". All of the singles were released with accompanying music videos. They joined Ho99o9 and The Underachievers on separate tours in 2017. In 2018, the group embarked on their first headlining tour, accompanied by Indiana artist Freddie Gibbs for its second half, and were featured on the Aminé single "Campfire".
On September 6, 2018, the group released a statement through their social media, stating they signed a record label with Loma Vista, helmed by A&R, Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua, and they'd be releasing their debut album under the label.[2] On May 17, 2019, the group released their self-titled debut album to generally favorable reviews. Following their debut album, the group embarked on a world headlining tour.
2020–2023: Death of Stepa J. Groggs, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, disbandment of group and By Storm edit
Stepa J. Groggs died on June 29, 2020, at age 32. The group announced his death on their Twitter account, mourning "a loving father, life partner and friend."[11][12] No cause of death was released.[13] Since Groggs's death, the group has been featured on songs by Dos Monos,[14] Tony Velour and Aminé.[15]
On September 15, 2021, the group self-released their second studio album, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, led by the singles, "Knees", and "Superman That". The album features Bruiser Brigade rapper ZelooperZ, and was engineered by Zeroh.[16] Shortly following the release, the group embarked on a worldwide tour, alongside Slauson Malone and Colloboh on the US leg. Initially, Zeroh was the supporting act alongside Slauson Malone, but was replaced with Colloboh due to unforeseen circumstances.[17]
In an interview with Huck Magazine, interviewer Thomas Hobbs asked Ritchie with a T if the group could continue without Groggs. Ritchie responded: "I can imagine [Groggs] joking and saying: 'Y'all better still do this shit!'. But then I can also imagine him saying: 'You better not step on a stage without me!'. We're still figuring it out... We've not had an explicit conversation about continuing the group, but me and Parker will continue to create together [in some capacity]."[18]
On September 28, 2022, the group released a remix of "Ghost" by experimental pop musician, Body Meat, marking their first release since By the Time I Get to Phoenix.
On July 6, 2023, the group confirmed on their Instagram story that there would be no new music from Injury Reserve going forward, and that Ritchie and Corey would continue to produce music under the name By Storm.[19] On their Twitter account, they posted an announcement for the premiere of a double music video. The first half of the video is for "Bye Storm", the final track on By the Time I Get to Phoenix and billed as "Injury Reserve's last song"; the second half is for By Storm's debut single "Double Trio".[20]
Members edit
Final lineup edit
- Ritchie with a T – vocals, recording (2013–2023)
- Parker Corey – production (2013–2023)
Former members edit
- Stepa J. Groggs – vocals (2013–2020; died 2020)
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Injury Reserve |
|
| By the Time I Get to Phoenix |
|
Mixtapes edit
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Depth Chart |
|
| Live from the Dentist Office |
|
| Floss |
|
Extended plays edit
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Cooler Colors |
|
| Drive It Like It's Stolen |
|
Guest appearances edit
| Title | Year | Main artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Mutual Destruction"[21] | 2017 | TEEKS | Non-album singles |
| "Campfire"[22] | 2018 | Aminé | |
| "Talkin' Greezy (Remix)"[23] | Cakes da Killa | ||
| "745 sticky (Injury Reserve Remix)"[24] | 2019 | 100 gecs | 1000 Gecs and The Tree of Clues |
| "Fetus"[25] | 2020 | Aminé | Limbo |
| "Robert"[26] | Jockstrap | Wicked City | |
| "Aquarius"[27] | Dos Monos | Dos Siki | |
| "TED TALK"[28] | Tony Velour | 3M | |
| "Ghost (Injury Reserve Remix)"[29] | 2022 | Body Meat | Non-album single |
| "Counting Sheep (V2) [2018 Export Wav]"[30] | 2023 | Flume | Things Don't Always Go The Way You Plan |
Tours edit
Headlining
- Injury Reserve Arena Tour (2018)[31]
- Injury Reserve World Tour (2019)[32]
- By the Time I Get TOuring (2021)[33]
- Injury Reserve & Armand Hammer & AKAI SOLO Joint Tour (2022)[36]
Supporting
- Ho99o9 – United States of Ho99o9 Tour (2017)[37]
- The Underachievers – Renaissance Tour (2017)[38]
- black midi – West Coast North America Tour (2022)[39]
- IDLES – Crawler Tour (2022)[40]
References edit
- ^ "Injury Reserve Insist They Are a Rap Group". FLOOD. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (September 6, 2018). "Injury Reserve coming soon ❤️ https://t.co/pHoNUwU4kF" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b "Injury Reserve - Cooler Colors [EP]". OK-Tho. June 23, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ "Members of Injury Reserve relaunch as By Storm". The FADER. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Stechnij, Tanner (March 30, 2018). "The Rise of Injury Reserve". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "Q&A: Rap trio Injury Reserve discusses how they found their sound and separate themselves from the pack". September 18, 2021.
- ^ "Live from the Dentist Office by Injury Reserve on iTunes". iTunes. July 21, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ "Live From The Dentist Office". livefromthe.dentist. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ "Physical Copy". Injury Reserve. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Becker, Olivia (June 1, 2017). "Injury Reserve Are the Latest Weirdo Internet Rappers — But They're Actually Good". Complex.
- ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (June 30, 2020). "REST IN POWER Jordan Alexander Groggs a loving father, life partner and friend. (6/1/1988-6/29/2020) https://t.co/tYUa4nnebV" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ DeVille, Chris (June 30, 2020). "Jordan Groggs Of Injury Reserve Dead At 32". Stereogum. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ Kent, Sara-Aisha (July 1, 2020). "Jordan Groggs' cause of death a mystery as rapper dies suddenly". mirror. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ Dos Monos [@dosmonostres] (July 24, 2020). "Thank you Injury Reserve @InjuryReserve for joining us on "Aquarius". RIP Stepa, we're honored to have met you" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Aminé [@heyamine] (August 7, 2020). "My sophomore album Limbo, out now. https://t.co/F40WRoHPkS https://t.co/V8EqQMDn0Z" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "By the Time I Get to Phoenix | Bandcamp". Bandcamp. September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (October 4, 2021). "BtTIGtouring starts this friday in Chicago, unfortunately Zeroh won't be able to join us anymore so @colloboh will now be playing in Chicago and Philadelphia and @slausonmalone will be playing New York as well ! https://t.co/k457tiFS3d" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 13, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "'He was the heart of the band': Injury Reserve on a future without Groggs". Huck Magazine. September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "Image". Imgur. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ "Injury Reserve Status". twitter.com.
- ^ "Mutual Destruction (feat. injury reserve), by TEEKS". TEEKS. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ "Campfire" by Amine, Injury Reserve on Spotify, April 6, 2018, retrieved February 9, 2023
- ^ "Talkin' Greezy - Remix" by Cakes da Killa, Injury Reserve on Spotify, March 2, 2018, retrieved February 9, 2023
- ^ "745 sticky (Injury Reserve Remix)" by 100 gecs, Injury Reserve, July 10, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
- ^ "Fetus (feat. Injury Reserve)" by Amine, Injury Reserve on Spotify, August 7, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
- ^ "Robert" by Jockstrap, Injury Reserve on Spotify, June 16, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
- ^ "Aquarius (feat.Injury Reserve)" by Dos Monos, Injury Reserve on Spotify, July 24, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
- ^ "TED TALK" by Tony Velour, Injury Reserve, November 13, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
- ^ "Ghost (Injury Reserve Remix)" by Body Meat, Injury Reserve on Spotify, September 28, 2022, retrieved February 9, 2023
- ^ "Counting Sheep (V2) [2018 Export Wav] feat. Injury Reserve" by Flume, Injury Reserve on Spotify, February 8, 2023, retrieved February 9, 2023
- ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (January 12, 2018). "TICKETS ON SALE NOW. INJURY RESERVE ARENA TOUR 2018. 🎫 https://t.co/bmtXe0CYXr https://t.co/2kdSpRlfAm" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (June 3, 2019). "INJURY RESERVE WORLD TOUR. US/EUROPE TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS FRIDAY. AUSTRALIA/NZ/JAPAN RUN STARTS THIS THURSDAY IN CHRISTCHURCH. https://t.co/iz3B9M6QZf" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (September 7, 2021). "BtTIGtouring us & euro dates this fall/winter, tickets go on sale friday at 10am local time. V thankful to have @slausonmalone joining us again and excited to play w @_zeroh ofc after mixing this new record w him <3 https://t.co/6MXqdstYN0" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Sorry to announce bttigtouring euro dates have been postponed to this summer and fall, now w added dates in Glasgow, Pohoda & Budapest, all tickets will roll over to these dates unless refunds are specifically requested, stay safe <3". Twitter. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ @InjuryReserve (May 3, 2022). "Announcing bttigtouring AUSTRALIA dates, tickets available now at http://injuryreserve.online/tour" (Tweet). Retrieved February 1, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (March 2, 2022). "Joint tour this May w Armand Hammer & AKAI SOLO, tickets will be available this Friday at noon est. https://t.co/5de7P5Akon" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (May 12, 2017). "NORTH AMERICAN TOUR w/ Ho99o9 https://t.co/r0h4X3Trfy" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (September 19, 2017). "North American tour with @THEUALIFESTYLE Tickets available now at https://t.co/bmtXe0CYXr https://t.co/SB9M5hHFq9" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Announcing we'll now be joining @bmblackmidi for 4 of their shows next April in Seattle, Vancouver, Portland & Berkeley". Twitter. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ "We'll be supporting IDLES @idlesband from August 30 to September 17 in Phoenix, Dallas, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Detroit, Toronto (2x), Cleveland, Newport (KY), Pittsburgh, DC, Brooklyn & Boston". Twitter. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
