Bang Data: Band Profile

One thing I've learned from studying bands in the Bay is that every group has a heritage and someone to pay homage to.

Bang Data is a funky, Latin-alternative rock band from Oakland, California, that pays its respects to Credence Clearwater Revival and Latin-American musical tradition. The band derives their sound from traditional Cumbia music, hip-hop and rock, but like cultural alchemists, they mix and meld different traditions, hoping to create gold in the process.

Formed in 2009 by Hip Hop emcee Deuce Eclipse, the band has been in Oakland for almost 10 years. As their website's bio describes them, "Bang Data is like California itself- built on Latin traditions but deeply hybrid in expression.

After producing three original albums, Bang Data was invited to feature on Quiero Creedence, a compilation album of Latin-rock covers of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their track, Fortunate Hijo (a cover of Fortunate Son) blends modern rock and rap, adding verses about how Latin-American culture is put in a box and about how it's time to break down the boundaries that separate people. The song received recognition by CCR, and by fusing genres and musical tradition, Bang Data is doing their part to tear down these walls.

Their new album, Loco, which dropped in February 2018, is a mix of Latin rap, rock, and with a little funk tossed in. It has an energetic groove and Deuce Eclipse's half-Spanish, half-English verses compliment mostly alt. rock tracks. The single, Candy, is a up-beat, brassy track with trumpets, maracas and  Deuce Eclipse's vigorous Spanish vocals. They may rap and rattle a rock heavy sound, but there's no mistake that the album is Latin to the core.