Kevin Bronson on April 6th, 2021

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Alternative rap duo Neza Alexander have been laying down gritty, EDM-influenced tracks for about five years, highlighted by their Trump diss “Thizzz’d Out,” the neurotic “Tape Decks” and the 2019 EP “Plum.”

The duo — Rwanda-born, Indiana-reared vocalist Neza Rufuku and producer Alexander Halliday, a native of Philadelphia — have been busy as activists, too. Among other things, they donate all the proceeds from their Bandcamp sales to social justice charities. Now, Neza Alexander are working with producer Matt Lange and composer/sound designer Anthony Baldino on a new album for L.A.’s Chain Letter Collective and are pulling back the curtain on the first single.

“Poison Berries,” out this week, wraps up its rage over cultural appropriation in buzzing beats and synths and seething, processed vocals.

“The single speaks on and projects the frustration of feeling underutilized and overworked,” the duo says. “It’s hard as an artist to watch along as the corrupt music/art industry extracts, benefits and exploits BIPOC. Many corporations outside of art as well benefit, and we should take ownership back. We are culture. No more benefiting off the backs of the oppressed. Take our shit back.”

For this release, Neza Alexander will be supporting the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), a nonprofit that educates and engages African American and black immigrant communities to organize and advocate for racial, social and economic justice. Support the track here.

Ryan Nunnerly directs the video.

||| Stream: “Poison Berries”

||| Also: Watch the video