Bad Taste is the brainchild of esteemed turntablist/beatmaker extraordinaire ALPHABETHEAD and multi-disciplinary lyricist YOUNG GHO$T. The pair began making music in 2020 through remote collaboration, before putting their heads together to devise their self-titled debut. Inspired in equal parts by MF Doom and King Crimson, Bad Taste aims to captivate with a sound that is both referential and refreshing.
Their first album, “Bad Taste” was released in 2021 to critical acclaim across the board, including a nomination for “best album” at the SRN Music Awards, and has garnered support from radio stations and journalists across the country. Their sound has been described as a form of ‘psychedelic hip hop’, with Alphabethead’s production leaning heavily on sampling, and Young Gho$t’s vocal delivery drawing inspiration from “stream-of-consciousness” style writing.
They are known for their energetic and theatrical live shows, and have performed at festivals such as Newtown Festival, Camp A Low Hum, Welcome to Nowhere and Twisted Frequency, as well as at a number of headline shows in their twin hometowns of Pōneke and Whanganui, not to mention crushing opening slots for esteemed rappers such as Oddisee, Deadforest and Church & AP. The duo released their second album in June 2023, entitled “Bad Taste II”, followed by a sold out national tour. Watch this space because big things are coming!
