TNGHT
TNGHT is an electronic music production duo consisting of Scottish producer Ross Birchard, known as Hudson Mohawke, from Glasgow, and Canadian producer Lunice Fermin Pierre II from Montreal.[1][2] Formed in 2011,[3] the pair is renowned for their bold, sample-heavy trap beats that blend hip-hop, bass music, and electronic elements into high-energy, genre-defying tracks.[1][4] The duo's collaboration began with a standout performance at South by Southwest (SXSW) in 2012, leading to their self-titled debut EP, a five-track release on Warp Records and LuckyMe that spans just 16 minutes but delivers massive, minimalist post-trap sounds inspired by producers like Lex Luger.[1] Tracks like "Higher Ground" and "Goooo" feature zig-zagging synths, stomping breaks, and chaotic bass lines that evoke controlled mayhem, earning the EP widespread praise as one of the year's most innovative electronic releases.[1][4] Recorded in a London studio, the project marked a pivotal moment for both artists, who transitioned from individual bedroom production to super-producers influencing broader pop and hip-hop landscapes.[1][2] Following the EP's success and exhaustive touring, TNGHT took a seven-year hiatus before reuniting for their sophomore release, the eight-track EP II, issued on Warp Records and LuckyMe in November 2019.[2] The album amplifies their signature wildness, exploring new forms with tracks like "Serpent" and "Dollaz" that reinterpret diverse influences into dynamic, bass-driven compositions.[2] Despite the break, TNGHT's work continues to resonate in electronic and hip-hop scenes, with the duo occasionally performing live and maintaining an active presence through merchandise and streaming platforms.[2][5]Members
Hudson Mohawke
Hudson Mohawke, born Ross Matthew Birchard on February 11, 1986, in Glasgow, Scotland, is a Scottish producer, composer, and DJ whose early immersion in the city's vibrant club scene shaped his musical trajectory.[6] Growing up in Glasgow, Birchard began DJing as a teenager, drawing from the underground hip-hop and electronic influences prevalent in local venues like the Sub Club, where he honed his skills amid a community of like-minded artists.[7] By age 15, he had produced his first beat, marking the start of a prolific career that blended raw experimentation with club-ready energy.[8] Birchard adopted the moniker Hudson Mohawke in his late teens, derived from an engraving on a statue in his Glasgow residence.[9] His production style reflects deep influences from artists like J Dilla, whose intricate, soulful beats informed Mohawke's approach to rhythm and texture, alongside the chiptune-like sounds of classic video game soundtracks that added a playful, glitchy dimension to his work.[10] This fusion evolved into a signature "wonky" electronic sound—characterized by warped hip-hop rhythms, funky basslines, and glitch effects—that positioned him as a pioneer in the late-2000s UK bass scene. In 2009, he signed with Warp Records and released his debut album Butter, an 18-track collection that showcased his chaotic yet melodic production, blending hip-hop grooves with electronic abstraction.[11][9] As a co-founder of the influential LuckyMe collective alongside Rustie and Jackmaster, Mohawke helped foster Glasgow's experimental electronic and hip-hop ecosystem, releasing mixtapes and EPs that amplified the city's sound globally.[12] His rising profile led to high-profile production credits, including contributions to Kanye West's 2013 album Yeezus, where he co-produced tracks like "Blood on the Leaves," infusing the project with his distinctive glitch-hop elements.[13] This Warp affiliation also paved the way for his duo TNGHT's signing to the label.[14] As of 2025, Mohawke has scored the film Tron: Ares and remixed tracks for artists including Kenshi Yonezu.[15]Lunice
Lunice Fermin Pierre II, born May 15, 1988, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is a producer and DJ of Haitian descent, with a Haitian father and Filipino mother.[16] His early involvement in Montreal's hip-hop scene as a competitive breakdancer honed his rhythmic sensibilities, drawing from the city's vibrant multicultural influences.[17] Transitioning to music production in the mid-2000s, Lunice developed a style rooted in percussive, sample-heavy electronic sounds, subtly informed by Haitian percussive traditions and Montreal's experimental club culture, including the "piu piu" electro scene.[17] He released his debut EP, One Hunned, in 2011 through LuckyMe, a label co-founded by Hudson Mohawke, which helped establish his reputation in the burgeoning wonky and trap-adjacent electronic landscape.[18] Known for high-energy live performances that fuse house, hip-hop, and experimental beats, Lunice gained early recognition through appearances at events like the Red Bull Music Academy in London in 2010.[19][20] Lunice's aesthetic bridges streetwear and music, reflecting his breakdancing roots and urban influences, though his primary focus remained on innovative production techniques that emphasized dynamic percussion and eclectic sampling.[21] In 2025, he released a remix of "IDGAF" and performed at events such as Fréquences Locales.[22]Formation and Early Career
Meeting and Initial Projects
Hudson Mohawke (Ross Birchard) and Lunice (Lunice Fermin Pierre II) first met in 2008 during LuckyMe Records' inaugural North American tour, when Lunice booked Mohawke to perform at a Turbo Crunk party during the Pop Montreal festival, where the two bonded over their mutual interests in electronic music and hip-hop production.[23][14] As label mates on LuckyMe—Mohawke through his early ties to the Glasgow-based collective and Lunice via his role in promoting its artists—their connection deepened as they recognized aligned creative directions, particularly after Lunice heard Mohawke's remix of Gucci Mane's "Party Animal" on Sinden's 2011 mixtape, which highlighted their shared affinity for bold, bass-heavy beats.[14] In 2011, the duo formalized their partnership as TNGHT, a production alias focused on crafting minimalist, trap-influenced instrumentals designed as "blank canvases" for rappers.[23] Their initial collaborations involved informal studio sessions, including a productive few days in a cramped London studio off Oxford Street, where they experimented rapidly with sounds over whiskey-fueled nights, emphasizing quick completion of tracks in two to three hours to capture raw energy.[23][14] In 2012, TNGHT signed a joint deal with Warp Records and LuckyMe, leveraging Mohawke's established Warp connection and the label's support for their joint venture.[23] They made their live debut as a duo at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, in March 2012, performing unreleased material that created significant industry buzz and showcased their seamless onstage chemistry.[23] Later in 2012, they announced their self-titled project, signaling a deliberate shift from their individual solo outputs to a collaborative process centered on innovative hip-hop production.[23]Debut EP and Breakthrough (2011–2013)
Following their signing to Warp Records and LuckyMe in 2012, TNGHT quickly gained momentum in the electronic music scene with the release of their self-titled debut EP on July 23, 2012.[1] Issued jointly by the two labels, the five-track EP showcased the duo's explosive fusion of trap beats, hip-hop elements, and electronic production, clocking in at just over 16 minutes of high-energy instrumentals. Standout tracks like "Bugg'n," with its relentless bass drops and stuttering percussion, "Goooo," featuring warped vocal samples and booming 808s, and "Higher Ground," a rework of an earlier demo that incorporated pitched-up elements from Julie McKnight's "Home," highlighted their innovative approach to genre-blending.[1][24] The EP marked a breakthrough, propelling TNGHT to prominence through key live performances that year. They made their U.S. festival debut at Coachella in April 2013, delivering a set on the Gobi Stage that captivated audiences with their visceral, crowd-stirring sound.[25] Later that fall, during their show at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn on November 30, 2012, Kanye West made a surprise onstage appearance, joining them for a rendition of "Cold" and amplifying their rising buzz in hip-hop circles.[26] These events, coupled with a sold-out performance at Toronto's Opera House on November 29, 2012, solidified their reputation as a must-see act.[27] Media outlets praised the EP for its bold trap-electronic hybrid, which pushed boundaries in instrumental hip-hop production. Pitchfork lauded it as containing "some of the year's most brazen, positively huge hip-hop sounds," emphasizing its aggressive yet playful energy.[1] The Guardian similarly highlighted TNGHT as a "powerhouse" duo in a 2012 podcast, noting their rapid ascent from experimental collaborators to festival favorites influencing broader electronic trends.[28] This attention peaked in 2013 when TNGHT contributed to Kanye West's album Yeezus, with "Blood on the Leaves" sampling their earlier track "R U Ready" (later reworked into "Higher Ground"), marking a high-profile crossover into mainstream hip-hop.[29] The duo's momentum continued with the release of the single "Acrylics" on April 9, 2013, via Warp and LuckyMe, a track that amplified their signature chaotic drops and synthetic flourishes.[30] TNGHT's sound during this period, characterized by maximalist trap rhythms and electronic experimentation, inspired producers to blend hip-hop's grit with EDM's euphoria.[1]Hiatus and Reunion
Inactivity Period (2013–2019)
Following the success of their 2012 self-titled EP, which propelled TNGHT into a whirlwind of international tours and high-profile remixes, the duo announced an indefinite hiatus in late December 2013, via Twitter, emphasizing the need to pause collaborative efforts due to exhaustion from relentless touring and production demands.[31][32] Hudson Mohawke later explained in a 2015 interview that the break was necessary as "we were just touring too much and it was getting a bit too much for us," allowing both members to prioritize solo endeavors while maintaining their close friendship.[33] During this period, Hudson Mohawke immersed himself in major-label productions and collaborations, blending electronic elements with R&B vocals on his sophomore album Lantern (2015), which featured Miguel on the track "Deepspace," and remixed his own "Chimes" into a hip-hop-heavy version featuring Pusha T, Future, Travis Scott, and French Montana in 2014.[34][35] These pursuits extended Mohawke's influence into mainstream hip-hop and electronic circles, building on pre-hiatus work like contributions to Kanye West's Yeezus (2013). Lunice, meanwhile, channeled his energy into solo releases and live DJing, dropping the 180 EP in 2015 via LuckyMe, which showcased his evolving beats with tracks like "Burnt" and "All Clear" emphasizing raw, club-ready energy.[36] This was followed by his debut full-length album CCCLX in 2017, a genre-spanning project featuring guests like SOPHIE and Le1f on cuts such as "Drop Down," marking a shift toward more experimental hip-hop and electronic fusion.[37] He maintained an active presence through DJ residencies and sets in his hometown of Montreal and various European venues, honing his performance style amid the duo's separation.[38] The underlying burnout traced back to TNGHT's grueling 2012 itinerary, including festival appearances at Pitchfork Music Festival and Red Bull Music Academy alongside constant studio output, which both members cited as prompting a pivot to individual major-label explorations for creative replenishment.[33] This recharge period allowed Mohawke and Lunice to refine their techniques independently, setting the stage for future joint innovations without the pressure of immediate collaboration.[14]Return and Recent Releases (2019–Present)
In 2019, TNGHT reunited after a seven-year hiatus, with Hudson Mohawke and Lunice revealing in a Billboard interview their intent to collaborate anew, building on solo successes while advancing their trap-influenced electronic sound.[39] The duo's return materialized with the EP II, released on November 12, 2019, via Warp Records and LuckyMe; the eight-track project includes standout cuts like "Serpent"—with its lead single dropped in September 2019—and "Dollaz," emphasizing bold, experimental production techniques.[40][41] TNGHT followed this with the singles "Tums" on November 4, 2021, and "Brick Figures" on December 17, 2021, high-energy tracks that reaffirmed their collaborative chemistry without veering into full-length territory.[42][43] As of 2025, no major albums have emerged, though the pair sustains activity through sporadic releases and live engagements, maintaining their presence in electronic music circles.[44]Musical Style
Genre Characteristics
TNGHT's music primarily operates within the trap, future bass, and wonky electronic genres, defined by their fusion of hip-hop-derived rhythms with experimental electronic production.[45][46] The duo's sound is characterized by heavy 808 basslines that provide a rumbling low-end foundation, distorted synths that create abrasive textures, and rapid, intricate hi-hat patterns that drive relentless momentum.[46] These elements draw from trap's percussive intensity while incorporating wonky's off-kilter glitches and future bass's melodic flourishes, resulting in tracks that feel both club-ready and sonically disorienting.[47] Signature aspects of TNGHT's style include high-energy drops that erupt with sudden intensity, often built around hip-hop sampling techniques influenced by mainstream rap producers like those associated with Kanye West, and futuristic, chaotic song structures that blend aggressive club energy with experimental abstraction.[48] This approach yields a hybrid vibe that prioritizes bold, immediate impact over linear progression, evoking a sense of controlled pandemonium suited to both dancefloors and headphone listening.[1] The influence of Hudson Mohawke's glitch-oriented solo work and Lunice's percussive focus subtly informs these traits, lending a distinctive asymmetry to their collaborative output.[14] The evolution of TNGHT's genre characteristics is evident across their releases, with their 2012 self-titled debut EP emphasizing raw trap aggression through massive, unyielding beats and minimalistic arrangements that amplify hip-hop's bombastic side.[1] In contrast, their 2019 release II channels experimental spirit into more varied tempos and genres, referencing trance and hardcore alongside trap and hip-hop elements.[49][50] This includes irreverent, playful tracks that maintain core elements like booming bass and hi-hat rolls. Their 2021 singles "Tums" and "Brick Figures" continue this trajectory with raucous, bass-heavy club tracks incorporating experimental sound design and high-energy drops.[51][52] TNGHT's sound stands apart from pure EDM through its deep hip-hop roots, prioritizing instrumental rap beats with electronic exaggeration over typical four-on-the-floor dance structures, which helped catalyze the early trap subgenre within broader electronic music.[53][54]Production Techniques and Influences
TNGHT's production process emphasizes spontaneous collaboration between Hudson Mohawke and Lunice, often resulting in tracks completed in under three hours during distraction-free sessions. Mohawke typically lays down beats and synth elements, while Lunice contributes rhythmic layers and improvisational elements drawn from their DJ backgrounds, fostering a workflow rooted in non-verbal cues like nods and laughter rather than detailed planning. This approach involves chopping and manipulating samples collaboratively, as seen in "Higher Ground," where they sampled and looped vocals from Julie McKnight's "Home" to create a hypnotic hook layered over booming 808 bass.[50][55][24] The duo relies on a mix of hardware and software for live manipulation and sampling, including FL Studio as their primary DAW for rapid sketching and arrangement, Ableton Live for vocal chopping and effects processing, and hardware like Akai MPC-style samplers or Native Instruments Maschine for tactile drum programming. Mohawke introduced Lunice to tools like Sonic Destructor for mixing, helping achieve punchy dynamics without excessive compression. Their sessions often incorporate improvisation, such as recording ambient sounds or spontaneous vocalizations—Lunice's screams in "Serpent," for instance, were captured on the spot alongside a neighbor's barking dog and Mellotron textures—mirroring the energy of their live DJ sets.[55][14][56][50] Key influences on TNGHT's sound include hip-hop producers J Dilla and Madlib for their sample-flipping techniques, electronic innovators like Flying Lotus and Rustie for glitchy, experimental beats, and cultural scenes such as Scottish rave culture via the LuckyMe collective and Montreal's techno underground. These draw from Mohawke's glitch-hop roots in Glasgow and Lunice's crunk-infused productions, blending underground experimentation with mainstream rap's bravado. Building briefly on trap foundations, their methods prioritize playful, high-energy hybrids over rigid genre constraints.[57][14][58] TNGHT pioneered the "trapstep" hybrid with their 2012 debut EP, employing sidechain compression to craft bass-heavy drops that merge trap's 808 propulsion with dubstep's wobbles, influencing subsequent EDM-trap crossovers like "Harlem Shake." Their 2019 reunion with II incorporated trance and hardcore elements, expanding their palette while retaining the duo's instinctive edge.[50][58]Live Performances
Key Early Shows
TNGHT's inaugural live performance took place at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, on March 17, 2012, marking the duo's first public appearance together as they unveiled unreleased tracks from their forthcoming EP.[59] The set, held at the Warp Records showcase, generated significant industry buzz due to its explosive energy, culminating in the duo accidentally shattering a plate-glass window during the show, which symbolized their raw, boundary-pushing approach.[60] This debut established TNGHT's reputation for high-octane performances that blended hip-hop influences with electronic experimentation, attracting attention from labels and promoters alike.[53] Following the July 2012 release of their self-titled EP, TNGHT expanded their live presence with headline shows in key North American cities, including a November 29 performance at The Opera House in Toronto, Ontario.[61] The set featured tracks from the EP alongside improvisational elements, drawing a fervent crowd and highlighting the duo's chemistry through seamless transitions between Lunice's and Hudson Mohawke's contributions.[27] Just one day later, on November 30, they played Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York, where surprise guest Kanye West joined them onstage during a remix of his track "Cold," amplifying the event's visibility and underscoring TNGHT's rising connections within hip-hop circles.[26] These intimate venue appearances solidified their stage dynamic, with the duo's synchronized DJing and on-the-fly sampling creating immersive, hype-building experiences that propelled their early momentum.[62] A pivotal early festival slot came at Coachella in April 2013, where TNGHT performed on the Sahara Tent stage, delivering a high-energy set infused with vibrant visuals and direct crowd engagement.[63] The performance showcased booming bass drops and layered samples that captivated the large audience, reinforcing TNGHT's ability to translate their studio sound to massive outdoor environments.[64] Throughout these initial outings, their style emphasized collaborative, real-time production—merging turntablism, live instrumentation, and vocal chops—to foster an electric atmosphere that not only previewed their material but also cemented their status as innovative live acts in the electronic scene.[14]Tours and Collaborations
Following their 2019 reunion, TNGHT scheduled a limited tour to support the release of their EP II on Warp Records, featuring dates across North America and Europe in late 2019 and early 2020. The itinerary included a performance at The Dance in New York City on December 12, 2019, which was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, followed by scheduled shows at Village Underground in London on March 13, 2020, and Le Trabendo in Paris on March 17, 2020, both of which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[65][66][67][68] These appearances marked TNGHT's first live outings in over six years and were positioned as key promotional events for II, aligning with Warp Records' rollout of the project. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely curtailed further touring plans, restricting the duo to just a handful of in-person events during this period.[66][69] In terms of collaborations, TNGHT's most notable joint production prior to their extended hiatus was "Blood on the Leaves" for Kanye West's 2013 album Yeezus, where Hudson Mohawke and Lunice contributed beats and arrangement. Post-reunion, the duo focused on self-contained releases, including the 2021 singles "Tums" and "Brick Figures," both issued via Warp Records without additional guest artists.[70] TNGHT's live performances evolved to emphasize high-energy, bass-heavy sets drawing from their trap and electronic influences, as seen in their surprise one-off show at a private Los Angeles event on November 6, 2021, coinciding with the "Tums" release. By 2022 and beyond, touring remained scaled back amid ongoing pandemic effects, shifting toward virtual streams and sporadic appearances. As of 2025, TNGHT's live performances have remained limited, with no major tours announced.[71][5]Discography
Extended Plays
TNGHT's discography is anchored by two extended plays, both issued via Warp Records and LuckyMe in digital and physical formats, with the duo opting for this format as their principal mode of release rather than full-length albums.[69][3] The self-titled debut EP TNGHT, released on July 23, 2012, marked the project's breakthrough with its bold fusion of trap beats, hip-hop elements, and electronic experimentation, earning acclaim for pushing the boundaries of instrumental trap music.[1][72] The five-track release spans approximately 16 minutes and includes standout cuts like "Higher Ground," which served as a lead single and showcased stuttering vocal samples, thunderous bass, and rave-like energy.[73] Its tracklist is as follows:- "Top Floor" (1:53)
- "Goooo" (3:21)
- "Higher Ground" (3:19)
- "Bugg'n" (3:25)
- "Easy Easy" (3:51)
- "Serpent" (2:50)
- "Dollaz" (3:13)
- "First Body" (2:58)
- "Club Finger" (2:53)
- "What It Is" (2:52)
- "Clever Pants" (1:59)
- "I'm in a Hole" (3:31)
- "Gimme Summn" (3:47)