If you were to throw Kanye West into a blender with the Power Rangers, you would probably be left with The Five One, a greater D.C. area hip hop band whose original mash-ups of popular and indie songs have gotten them attention. Known individually by their assigned colors (GREEN, RED, BLUE and GOLD), the guys are putting an unexpected twist on well-known hits.

“Everything is organic. Even if we have some projected formula, we’re always changing as the song goes, but our message stays the same,” says group member GREEN regarding the bands writing process. “In the words of Guru from Gang Starr, ‘We have formulas we just keep updating them.’”

Though their productions may seem unconventional—“Stuntin’ Like Mufasa,” mixes lines from a classic Disney movie with a track by hip hop’s current top artist—the combination flows. The group often gets their ideas naturally, rather than trying to force things together. “That’s how The Lion King and Lil’ Wayne and Weezer and Kanye get mashed up, because it’s all in our brains so we push it out that way,” GREEN says. “We have no inhibitions when it comes to making art, ‘cause you’re not supposed to I guess.”

Currently, the band is working on an EP album called Deuce Day World due out next year, and starting in January, you’ll be able to catch these guys live. In the meantime, download some tracks, and listen to some music below.

Find more music like this on Deuce Day World

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