Bad Ambassadors Announce Debut, Self-Titled EP

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Effortlessly collaborative and uniform, ear candy for you to indulge in, definitely hip-hop, but not really, Bad Ambassadors are here to announce their debut, self-titled EP, out January 10th on Shoebox Records, and today present the project’s lead single, “Up For You.” The Chicago duo of Rich Jones, known for both his own solo work and collaborations with the likes of Nnamdï, Mykele DeVille, and The O’My’s, and Walkingshoe, who’s spent time producing for himself and others, notably Ness Heads, Frank Leone, yU, ShowYouSuck, and Qari, Bad Ambassadors explores the determination to pursue your passion in the face of the inevitable obstacles life places in your way. Musically, the project combines elements of surf-rock, psychedelic hip-hop, and dance beats into a quick, easy-to-swallow pill that will get you your fix on first listen all the way to your tenth.

Listen to “Up for You” – 

https://soundcloud.com/ambassadorsbad/up-for-you

As with many stories this decade, this one begins on the internet – specifically Twitter. Prior to finding each other, the two had been on quite different paths. Jones, a prolific artist and fixture in the Chicago cultural community, was living a decidedly more Bohemian life of couch surfing, odd jobs and hustles while sharpening his skills in various clubs and DIY venues. Meanwhile, Walkingshoe was biding his time in “Corporate America”, producing in his spare time.

After sharing their mutual appreciation for each other’s work in the DMs in 2015, Jones and Walkingshoe met for beers IRL. The pairing provided them with something that neither of their solo endeavors could – a chance for a fresh start and the kind of freedom that could only come from releasing this music as a group. After Bad Ambassadors was temporarily shelved for personal pursuits, they returned with a renewed zeal and began working out of a basement studio in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood, creating records that paired Jones’ sense of unease and sadness over a rapidly changing city and community (themes found throughout much of his work) with Walkingshoe’s expertise in forging genre-defying production and their mutual, keen pop sensibilities.

“To me, ‘Bad Ambassadors’ connotes mischief, bold living, maintaining a sense of humor,” says Jones. “We’re both outsiders in certain senses as neither of us have necessarily been FULLY embraced and elevated, though we’ve certainly been acknowledged and received opportunities respective to the time we’ve put in separately and hopefully through this project in concert.”

Jones and Walkingshoe look forward to sharing what they’ve created as Bad Ambassadors not only for solo listening pleasure but also LIVE for friends and fans alike. For those in the Chicagoland area, Bad Ambassadors will play an EP release show at the Hideout on January 10th, the project’s release day. Tickets are on-sale now and available now.

Pre-order Bad Ambassadors EP – 

https://ambassadorsbad.bandcamp.com/album/bad-ambassadors

Bad Ambassadors EP Tracklist:

1. Who Me

2. Up for You

3. Pinky Promise

4. Mornings With You

5. Pardon

6. Saturday