Flobots
Flobots is an experimental hip hop band from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2005 by MCs Jamie Laurie (Jonny 5) and Stephen Brackett (Brer Rabbit), who incorporate live instrumentation such as viola, trumpet, guitar, and drums into their rap performances without relying on backing tracks.[1][2] The group expanded from childhood friends Laurie and Brackett, who met in fourth grade and later collaborated with guitarist Andy Guerrero in high school, forming a full band during college that debuted as a live act around 2005-2006.[1][2] Flobots achieved mainstream success with their major-label debut album Fight with Tools (2008), propelled by the single "Handlebars," which reached number 3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and helped the album peak at number 15 on the Billboard 200.[2] Subsequent releases include Survival Story (2010), which charted at number 9 on the Billboard Alternative Albums chart, and Noenemies (2017), alongside extensive touring and a platinum-selling status for their music.[2][1] Core members today comprise Jonny 5, Brer Rabbit, Andy Guerrero on guitar, and Kenny Ortiz on drums and beatbox, with the band emphasizing genre-blending alternative hip hop that addresses social issues like equality and democracy.[1][2] In addition to their music, Flobots founded the nonprofit Youth on Record in 2009, initially as Flobots.org, to provide music education and recording opportunities to underserved youth in Denver.[1][2]History
Formation and early years (1996–2005)
The Flobots originated in Denver, Colorado, with foundational work by Jamie Laurie, known as Jonny 5, who began pursuing hip-hop music around 2000 after earlier interests in the genre developed during childhood.[3] Laurie, born in 1977, had bonded with Stephen Brackett (later Brer Rabbit) over shared affinities for comic books and hip hop since fourth grade in elementary school, laying early creative groundwork.[1] During high school, they connected with guitarist Andy Rok Guerrero, which influenced subsequent band development.[1] In 2000, Laurie initiated a hip-hop project under the moniker Jonny 5 + Yak, releasing the album Onomatopoeia in 2001, which featured original tracks and marked an initial foray into experimental rap with influences from progressive artists.[4] This effort preceded the full Flobots ensemble and included elements later echoed in the band's sound, such as lyrical focus on social themes, though it remained a smaller-scale endeavor without widespread release. While attending college, Guerrero recruited additional Colorado-based musicians, including drummer Kenny Ortiz, to build a live band setup inspired by groups like the Roots, emphasizing instrumentation over pre-recorded tracks.[1] The group's first performance as a more complete live unit occurred during these college years, prompting a commitment to organic performances without backing tracks, which shaped their evolving identity.[1] By 2005, these precursors coalesced into the Flobots proper, incorporating MCs Laurie and Brackett alongside instrumentalists like Guerrero, Ortiz, trumpeter Joe Ferrone, and violist Mackenzie Gault, setting the stage for their debut EP Flobots Present... Platypus.[3] This period from the late 1990s through 2005 reflected grassroots experimentation in Denver's local scene, prioritizing community-driven collaboration over commercial aims.Breakthrough and Fight with Tools era (2005–2009)
In 2005, Flobots recorded an early version of their track "Handlebars," which would later contribute to their rising profile.[5] The band self-released their debut album Fight with Tools on October 16, 2007, initially distributing it locally in Denver, Colorado, where it gained traction through grassroots promotion and word-of-mouth sales that outperformed major national acts at independent record stores.[6][7] By early 2008, the single "Handlebars" achieved significant radio airplay, topping Los Angeles station KROQ for over two months and reaching number one on its playlist.[8] This momentum led to a major-label deal with Universal Republic Records, signed in late March 2008 following performances that showcased the band's live energy.[9] The label re-released Fight with Tools on May 20, 2008, propelling the album to peak at number 15 on the Billboard 200 chart and sustaining 12 weeks on the list.[9][10] "Handlebars" further solidified their breakthrough, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in May 2008.[11] The song's success, driven by its themes of personal agency and power dynamics, expanded Flobots' audience beyond local scenes to national recognition.[8] During this period, Flobots embarked on their first national tour in summer 2008, performing at venues across the U.S. to capitalize on the album's chart performance and radio hits.[12] The band's fusion of hip-hop, rock instrumentation, and activist-oriented lyrics resonated in live settings, fostering community engagement that aligned with their mission to use music as a tool for social discourse.[5] By the end of 2009, Fight with Tools had sold over 265,000 copies in the U.S., marking a transition from independent obscurity to mainstream viability while maintaining their Denver roots.[13]Mid-career albums and shifts (2010–2017)
Flobots released their second studio album, Survival Story, on March 16, 2010, via Universal Republic Records.[14] The record maintained the group's rap-rock fusion, incorporating elements of conscious hip hop across 12 tracks, including the single "White Flag Warrior."[15][16] It featured production emphasizing rhythmic interplay between vocals and live instrumentation, though it did not achieve significant commercial chart success comparable to prior hits.[17] Following Survival Story, the band underwent a key lineup change with the departure of founding guitarist Andy Guerrero in 2011.[18] This shift influenced their sound on the subsequent third studio album, The Circle in the Square, released August 28, 2012, through independent label Shanachie Records.[19][20] The 12-track effort explored alternative rock and hip hop with layered arrangements and social commentary, but critics noted its occasionally labored complexity and departure from earlier accessibility.[21][22] After a five-year gap marked by touring and activism, Flobots returned with Noenemies on May 5, 2017, self-released under Flobots Music as their most ambitious lyrical and musical statement to date.[23][24] Funded entirely through fan crowdfunding, the seven-track release focused on protest themes amid contemporary social unrest, blending hip hop with orchestral and electronic elements in songs like "Carousel" featuring Eva Holbrook.[23][24][25] This era reflected a pivot to independent operations, reduced major-label involvement, and intensified emphasis on direct activist messaging without core lineup disruptions beyond Guerrero's exit.[26]Recent releases and activities (2018–present)
In October 2020, Flobots released Flobots Present: Platypus, a seven-track EP featuring re-recorded and reinterpreted versions of select tracks from their catalog, including "Handlebars," "Jetpack," and "One Love," produced under Republic Records.[27] [28] The release emphasized live energy and thematic continuity with the band's earlier work, clocking in at approximately 20 minutes.[27] On April 23, 2021, the band issued the single "Roshni," marking their first original material since the 2017 album Noenemies.[29] Co-produced with contributions from vocalist Roshni, the track explores themes of unity and resilience amid diverse experiences, available in standard and extended versions.[30] Later that year, on June 4, 2021, Flobots released "When It All Falls" as a standalone digital track via Bandcamp, continuing their pattern of sporadic digital singles rather than full-length albums.[31] Touring activity remained limited in the immediate post-2017 period, with documented performances in early 2018, such as shows on January 21–23 in Ohio and Pennsylvania venues including Skully's Music-Diner and Rex Theater.[32] The band resumed live engagements more prominently in 2025, announcing the Revival Mini-Tour on May 18 for summer dates across Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Colorado, including stops at Beer City Music Hall in Oklahoma City on June 15 and Levitt Pavilion Denver on July 6.[33] These outings focused on regional U.S. markets, aligning with Flobots' grassroots performance history, though no major national or international tours were reported in the interim years.[34]Musical style
Genre fusion and instrumentation
Flobots fuse hip hop and alternative rock, blending rapid-fire rap vocals with live rock instrumentation to create a progressive rap-rock sound.[35] Their music incorporates elements of conscious hip hop, emphasizing lyrical delivery over guitar riffs, bass lines, and percussion rather than solely electronic beats.[36] This genre fusion draws comparisons to rap-metal acts like Rage Against the Machine, but distinguishes itself through orchestral touches that add melodic depth to politically charged tracks.[37] Central to their instrumentation is a full live band setup, featuring dual MCs Jamie "Jonny 5" Laurie and Stephen "Brer Rabbit" Brackett on vocals, Andy "Rok" Guerrero on guitar, Jesse Walker on bass, and Kenny Ortiz on drums.[1] The viola, performed by Mackenzie Gault, serves as a signature element, providing rich, lower-pitched strings that weave through rap verses and form hooks, as evident in songs like "Handlebars" from their 2008 album Fight with Tools.[38] Trumpet contributions from Joe Ferrone introduce jazz-infused solos and harmonies, enhancing the experimental fusion with brass accents that evoke smooth jazz influences amid rock energy.[39] Occasional keyboards and saxophone further expand their sonic palette, allowing for dynamic shifts between aggressive rap sections and instrumental builds. This configuration enables Flobots to perform with a chamber-ensemble feel, prioritizing musicianship in live settings to underscore their message-driven compositions.[40]Lyrical content and themes
Flobots' lyrics characteristically address social justice, political activism, and the dual potential of human agency for creation or destruction. Drawing from hip-hop traditions of conscious rap, the band's wordsmiths—primarily Jamie "Jonny 5" Laurie and Stephen "Brer Rabbit" Brackett—employ dense, metaphorical language to critique systemic inequalities, war, consumerism, and authoritarianism, often advocating for education, empathy, and collective action as antidotes.[1][41] This approach aligns with their self-described mission to revive "the poetry of politics," blending personal introspection with broader societal analysis to foster rebellion against entrenched power structures.[42] Central to their thematic corpus is the exploration of power's corrupting trajectory, as exemplified in "Handlebars" from the 2008 album Fight with Tools. The track narrates an individual's ascent from mundane achievements—like riding a bicycle without hands—to global dominance, culminating in oppression and no-holds-barred control, symbolizing how unchecked ambition erodes moral boundaries. Jonny 5 described it as reflecting humanity's "incredible potential... to be destructive or to be creative, to be powerful or to be powerless," underscoring a cautionary arc from empowerment to tyranny.[43] Similar motifs recur in songs like "Same Thing," which dissects cyclical political hypocrisy and calls for breaking patterns of injustice through vigilant activism.[44] Across albums, Flobots interweave personal narratives with calls to confront racism, inequality, and democratic erosion. In NOENEMIES (2017), lyrics grapple with ancestral racism and fear-mongering, urging listeners to dismantle internalized divisions for unified progress.[45] Earlier works, such as "Stand Up" from Fight with Tools, promote education as a tool for empowerment amid social ills, while The Circle in the Square (2012) draws from global uprisings like the Arab Spring to evoke soul-level awakening and resistance against complacency.[46][47] Later releases like "When It All Falls" (2021) confront the fragility of peace, portraying societal collapse as a psychological reckoning that demands resilience and solidarity.[48] These themes maintain a positive undercurrent, emphasizing transformation over despair, though critics note occasional shifts toward personal over political focus in mid-career output.[49]Activism and politics
Core positions and campaigns
Flobots' core positions center on social justice, equality, and the transformative power of music and education in addressing systemic inequalities. The band promotes empathy, non-violent conflict resolution, and community empowerment as antidotes to division, drawing from influences like hip-hop activism and historical protest movements. Their advocacy emphasizes youth development, racial equity, and democratic participation, viewing art as a tool to foster dialogue rather than confrontation.[1][50] A primary campaign is the founding of Youth on Record, a nonprofit organization established in 2007 (initially as Flobots.org) to provide music production training, mentorship, and recording opportunities to underserved youth in Denver and Aurora, Colorado. This initiative targets at-risk teens in vulnerable communities, aiming to equip them with skills for personal growth and leadership while addressing barriers like poverty and lack of access to creative outlets. By 2018, the program had empowered thousands through partnerships with local schools and served over 3,000 participants, focusing on life skills alongside artistic development.[51][52][53] The band has actively supported broader social movements, including Occupy Wall Street in 2011, where members participated in occupations and reflected on the role of music in sustaining activism. They have composed and performed songs for contemporary protests, such as those aligned with Black Lives Matter and refugee rights advocacy, emphasizing collective action over partisan division. In interviews, Flobots members have described their approach as "future-facing patriotism," prioritizing emotional resonance and long-term community building in campaigns against inequality and for music education reform.[54][55][5]Achievements and impacts
The Flobots founded the nonprofit organization Flobots.org in 2008, initially using proceeds from their album Fight with Tools to support youth mentorship through music and arts programs; this entity evolved into Youth on Record (YOR), which provides creative education to underserved youth in Denver by pairing them with professional local artists as coaches.[56][5] YOR's programs have demonstrated measurable educational outcomes, including an 85% rate of improved school attendance among participants and 71% showing grade improvements, based on data from its early years.[57] By 2014, the organization reached approximately 700 students across multiple high schools and juvenile facilities, and over the subsequent decade, it expanded more than 1,000% to become a prominent provider of initiatives linking artistic development with academic and personal growth.[58][59] Band co-founder Stephen Brackett was appointed Colorado's first state Music Ambassador in October 2020, a role aimed at promoting the music ecosystem's contributions to community and economic vitality.[60] In this capacity and through YOR, where he serves as Director of Special Programs, Brackett has overseen expansions including the development of a $2.8 million music studio on Denver's west side for youth use.[61][62] The band's activism has also extended to direct community actions, such as organizing social-movement training workshops nationwide and creating protest chants to enhance participant engagement during demonstrations on issues like climate change and immigration.[63][64] These efforts have fostered grassroots development in Denver, emphasizing music as a tool for empowerment and social change, though quantifiable broader political influences remain tied primarily to local youth outcomes rather than large-scale policy shifts.[65][3]Criticisms and counterarguments
Critics of Flobots' activism-infused music have primarily targeted the delivery of their political themes, arguing that albums following their 2008 debut Fight with Tools adopted an overly didactic tone that prioritized messaging over artistic subtlety. Reviews of the 2010 album Survival Story frequently cited this "preachiness" as a shortcoming, with observers noting that the explicit calls for social change sometimes overshadowed the band's innovative genre fusion and lyrical nuance.[26][66][67] In counterargument, Flobots members have maintained that their intent is to evoke shared human experiences—such as trauma, love, and collective potential—rather than issue-specific lectures, framing this emotional approach as essential for fostering genuine activism without alienating listeners.[55] They have refined their style in later works, including the 2017 album Noenemies, to balance provocation with accessibility, positing that protest music must evolve to inspire action amid shifting cultural contexts rather than rigidly adhering to early formulas.[26] This perspective aligns with their self-described "future-facing patriotism," which emphasizes inclusive, compassion-driven reform over confrontational critique.[55] Broader detractors occasionally interpret their anti-war and anti-violence advocacy as unpatriotic, but the band counters by invoking historical American movements like abolitionism and civil rights as precedents for their human-centered dissent.[55]Controversies
Logan Paul copyright lawsuit
In December 2017, YouTuber Logan Paul released a parody track titled "No Handlebars," which interpolated elements from Flobots' 2008 single "Handlebars" without permission.[68] [69] Paul's version altered lyrics to reference crude humor, such as "I can ride your girl with no handlebars," while retaining the original's rhythmic structure, melodic phrasing, and chorus hook.[70] The accompanying music video amassed over 10 million views on YouTube, generating substantial revenue estimated at more than $1 million for Paul and his production entity, Maverick Media.[70] [69] Flobots publicly criticized the track as unauthorized plagiarism shortly after its release, prompting fan backlash on social media and Paul's defensive response denying infringement.[71] On May 16, 2019, Flobots Music Publishing filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. 2:19-cv-04267), accusing Paul and Maverick Media of direct and contributory copyright infringement of both the musical composition and sound recording of "Handlebars."[68] [71] The complaint detailed substantial similarities, including nearly identical lyrical phrasing (e.g., Paul's "No handlebars, no handlebars" mirroring Flobots' refrain), beat patterns, and violin riffs, arguing that the parody did not qualify as fair use due to its commercial exploitation and lack of transformative commentary on the original's themes of power and control.[70] [69] Plaintiffs sought a permanent injunction, destruction of infringing materials, and unspecified statutory damages up to $150,000 per work infringed.[69] The case did not proceed to trial and was settled out of court, with Flobots receiving financial compensation though exact terms remain undisclosed.[72] Paul's team had contended the work fell under parody protections, but the resolution avoided a judicial ruling on fair use boundaries in commercial hip-hop interpolations.[73] This dispute highlighted tensions between viral content creators and established artists over unauthorized sampling in the digital era.[72]Political and cultural disputes
Flobots' integration of political themes into their music and activism has occasionally prompted discussions about the appropriateness of overt messaging in art, with some observers arguing that such content risks alienating audiences seeking entertainment over advocacy. However, the band has positioned its work as emotionally resonant rather than polemical, aiming to foster inquiry and unity amid social challenges.[55] In response to perceptions of divisiveness in protest-oriented music, Flobots members have articulated a "future-facing patriotism" that critiques systemic issues while promoting collective action, distinguishing their approach from more confrontational styles associated with bands like Rage Against the Machine.[55] This framing has helped mitigate broader cultural backlash, as their campaigns—such as NOENEMIES, which supported movements like Black Lives Matter and anti-TPP efforts—emphasize grassroots organizing over partisan attacks.[74][75] Unlike high-profile activist artists facing sustained media scrutiny, Flobots have encountered limited documented cultural friction, with album reviews noting tensions between personal introspection and political commentary but praising the band's avoidance of dogmatic excess.[49] Their lyrical explorations, such as in "Pray," which interrogates privilege and systemic racism, have garnered acclaim in academic and activist circles rather than sparking widespread disputes.[76] Overall, the group's emphasis on nonviolent resistance and community empowerment has sustained their relevance without escalating into polarizing conflicts.[42]Band members
Current lineup
The core lineup of Flobots, as maintained for live performances and recordings in recent years, comprises emcees Jamie Laurie (stage name Jonny 5) and Stephen Brackett (stage name Brer Rabbit), both handling primary vocals and lyrical delivery; guitarist Andy Rok Guerrero, who also contributes vocals; and drummer Kenny Ortiz, known for incorporating beatboxing elements into percussion.[1] This configuration emphasizes the band's hip-hop roots fused with rock instrumentation, originating from their formation in Denver, Colorado, where Laurie and Brackett first collaborated as childhood acquaintances before expanding with Guerrero in high school and Ortiz during early live shows to replace pre-recorded tracks.[1] The group has sustained this quartet as its foundational unit through global tours and releases up to 2025, occasionally augmented by additional touring musicians for brass or strings but without formal core expansion.[1][77]Former and touring members
Flobots' original lineup, formed in 2005, included trumpeter Joe Ferrone, violist Mackenzie Gault (also known as Mackenzie Roberts), and bassist Jesse Walker alongside the core emcees Jamie Laurie (Jonny 5) and Stephen Brackett (Brer Rabbit), drummer Kenny Ortiz, and guitarist Andy Guerrero.[3] Following the 2007 release of their debut album Fight with Tools, Ferrone, Gault, Walker, and Guerrero departed the band, with Guerrero citing creative differences as he pursued his project Bop Skizzum.[78][79] Guerrero rejoined Flobots in 2020, restoring much of the original dynamic for subsequent recordings and tours, while the other three have not returned as permanent members.[80] Former members have participated in reunion performances, including a 2018 benefit concert for Youth on Record featuring the full original lineup.[79][81] Beyond the core group of Laurie, Brackett, Ortiz, and Guerrero, Flobots have utilized additional touring musicians for live shows, though specific names beyond former members like Gault, Walker, and Ferrone—who contributed to early tours—are not consistently documented in band announcements.[82] The band's flexible approach allows for varied instrumentation to support their hip-hop and rock fusion on stage.[1]Discography
Studio albums
Fight with Tools, Flobots' debut studio album, was self-released on October 4, 2007, prior to its re-release by Universal Republic Records in 2008.[83][84] The album features 12 tracks blending hip-hop, rock, and political themes, produced by the band members.[85] Survival Story, the second studio album, was released on March 16, 2010, by Universal Republic Records.[17] It contains 12 tracks continuing the band's activist-oriented lyrics and instrumentation, including viola and brass elements.[17] The Circle in the Square, the third studio album, appeared on August 28, 2012, via Shanachie Records.[86] The release includes tracks such as "Flokovsky" and "Run (Run Run Run)", emphasizing experimental rap-rock fusion.[86] Noenemies, the fourth studio album, was independently released on May 5, 2017, by Flobots Music LLC.[87] Featuring 11 tracks like "Philia (Prelude)" and "Carousel", it explores themes of unity and social issues through layered production.[87] Flobots Present: Platypus, the fifth studio album, was issued on October 23, 2020, by Republic Records.[27] The seven-track project mixes original compositions with reinterpretations, including "Jetpack" and a cover of "Handlebars".[27]Extended plays and singles
Flobots' debut extended play, Flobots Present... Platypus, was independently released on November 11, 2005, as a CD containing seven tracks that introduced the band's fusion of hip-hop, rock, and political themes.[88] The EP featured an early version of "Handlebars," which later became their breakthrough single, alongside tracks like "Anne Braden" and "The Effect."[89] A remixed and remastered edition of the EP was digitally re-released on October 23, 2020, coinciding with guitarist Andy Guerrero's return to the band.[90] The band has issued numerous singles, primarily as digital releases and promotional tracks tied to their albums, emphasizing social activism and introspection. Key early singles include "Handlebars" (2008), which originated from the Platypus EP and achieved commercial success upon re-release.[91] From Survival Story (2010), "Rise" and "White Flag Warrior" (featuring Tim McIlrath) served as lead singles, with "Rise" released in March 2010.[92] Later singles encompass "You & Me (Happy 2gether)" (2012) from The Circle in the Square, "When It All Falls" (2017), and "We Win the Day" (2021 digital reissue).[93] Additional standalone or promotional singles include "Breadcrumbs," "Carousel," "Roshni" (2021), and "Pray (Extended Version)."[93]| Title | Release Year | Album/EP Association | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handlebars | 2008 | Fight with Tools (re-recording from Platypus EP) | Peaked at #3 on US Alternative Songs chart[92] |
| Rise | 2010 | Survival Story | Lead single[92] |
| White Flag Warrior | 2010 | Survival Story | Featuring Tim McIlrath[92] |
| You & Me (Happy 2gether) | 2012 | The Circle in the Square | Digital single[93] |
| When It All Falls | 2017 | Noenemies | Promotional single[93] |
| We Win the Day | 2021 | Standalone (reissue) | Digital AAC single[94] |