A twist on the idiom “he wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Rouge Kills Flies is the stage name of Rouge Yang, a New York City hip hop artist. Rouge is not who you think he is, who he was, or who you want him to be; interested in topics of existentialism, contemplation, and the experiences of growing up as a perpetual outsider, Rouge’s music is densely packed with labyrinth mosaics of introspection and grit. And while cerebral, his music also packs a punch. Focused on crafting immersive soundscapes with catchy melodies and flows, Rouge developed his sound within pockets of local New York City music scenes, while recruiting production from the underground SoundCloud beatmaker space.
Rouge’s influences include highly conceptual artists like Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, and OutKast. Rouge also considers himself a new node of the MC tree rooted by hip-hop monks of the 90s and 2000s, like Nas, GZA, Lupe Fiasco, and Lloyd Banks. Ultimately though, Rouge rejects the idea of fitting into anyone’s box; make up your mind about who he is, but the fly trap closes faster than you can react.
‘The Burning’ is a 15-track conceptual LP where the central theme is of fire as representative of both destruction and rebirth. Topics of climate change / global warming, technological advancement, capitalism, burnout, self-discovery, reincarnation, and finding light in times of darkness are prevalent throughout the project. The lyrical content is very dense as is the production, and there is also an overarching story embedded through skits and the sequencing of the project.
Rouge Kills Flies’ storytelling prowess shines through in ‘The Burning’ , which follows a protagonist navigating a dystopian future, searching for illicit technology. The album’s compelling narrative and diverse soundscapes showcase the artist’s innovative vision, positioning him as a trailblazer in the hip-hop scene.
Collaborations with notable artists such as Malik English, Dante Genesis, and Rodney Chrome further elevate the album’s dynamic sound. From the gritty, explosive intro track ‘ANDROIDS DREAD THE REDS’ to the vulnerable, introspective ‘THE GHOSTS AIN’T REAL,’ Rouge Kills Flies expertly weaves together themes of apocalypse, paranoia, and self-discovery with powerful beats and thought-provoking lyrics.
‘The Burning’ solidifies Rouge Kills Flies’ status as a pioneering force in contemporary hip-hop, pushing genre boundaries and captivating audiences with his raw talent and unflinching exploration of the human experience.