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Injury Reserve

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For the sports term, see Injured reserve.

Injury Reserve
Injury Reserve performing in 2018; from left to right: Ritchie with a T, Stepa J. Groggs, Parker Corey
Injury Reserve performing in 2018; from left to right: Ritchie with a T, Stepa J. Groggs, Parker Corey
Background information
OriginTempe, Arizona, U.S.
Genres
Years active2012–2023
Labels
SpinoffsBy Storm
Past membersRitchie with a T
Stepa J. Groggs
Parker Corey
Websiteinjuryreserve.online

Injury Reserve was an American hip hop group formed in 2012 in Tempe, Arizona. The group consisted of rappers Ritchie with a T (Nathaniel Ritchie), Stepa J. Groggs (Jordan Groggs), and producer Parker Corey.[3] After the death of Groggs in 2020 and the release of the group's second and final studio album, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, the remaining members regrouped under the name By Storm in July 2023.[4]

History

[edit]

2012–2014: Career beginnings, Depth Chart and Cooler Colors

[edit]

Injury Reserve was initially formed as a duo in late 2012 by rappers Stepa J. Groggs and Ritchie with a T.[5][6] Ritchie first met Groggs as a child through his mother, who managed the Vans store Groggs was employed at in Phoenix. Ritchie later met eventual member Parker Corey through a mutual acquaintance in high school, and the two began collaborating on Ritchie's solo debut, Days Slow Nights Fast, in early 2012, with Corey serving as executive producer.[7][8] Groggs appeared on the mixtape as a featured artist,[9] and the two rappers would begin work on a collaborative full length together, with Corey again serving as executive producer.

On January 16, 2013, the duo released their debut standalone single, "Electric Relaxation," on YouTube, accompanied by a music video. The video has since been removed, and is now considered lost media.[10]

On March 6, 2013, the duo released "On Point," which served as the lead single to their debut mixtape, Depth Chart, which was executive produced by Parker Corey.[11][12] Another single, "Growing Down," followed on March 15, 2013.[13] The mixtape was released on March 27, 2013 to little fanfare or media attention.[14] It was initially billed as Injury Reserve's debut album, but the group no longer acknowledges it as such.[15] It was released through digital platforms such as Audiomack, but was delisted after the subsequent media attention from 2015's Live from the Dentist Office.

On April 26, 2013, it was announced via Ritchie's Twitter account that Corey had joined Injury Reserve as the group's producer.[16]

In 2014, the now-trio released Cooler Colors, a 7-track EP, led by singles, "Black Sheep", "Groundhog Day", and "How Bout You".[3] It was released through digital platforms such as Audiomack, but was delisted in the same fashion as Depth Chart. The group doesn't refer to these projects as their debuts, and instead refers to Live from the Dentist Office as their debut.[17]

Cooler Colors was mostly us trying to replicate our favorite artists, and we found that really corny. When me and Parker critique people, we'll say "Oh that guy sounds like this guy" and then we were realized we're total hypocrites. Live from the Dentist was us finding our own sound, and that's why we call that the first actual Injury Reserve project, because the music's original and it gets at our personalities.

Ritchie with a T, in a 2016 interview with The Daily Texan[17]

2015–2016: Live from the Dentist Office and Floss

[edit]

In 2015, the group self-released Live from the Dentist Office, their 11-track breakout mixtape with features from Chuck Inglish, Curtis Williams, Glass Popcorn, and Demi Hughes.[18] The mixtape was released through multiple digital platforms such as SoundCloud, iTunes, Tidal, and Spotify.[19] Physical copies of the project were later sold through Injury Reserve's online store.[20] Live from the Dentist Office generally received acclaim from music critics.

On December 15, 2016, Injury Reserve released their second mixtape titled Floss, released again through a variety of digital platforms to similar acclaim. The mixtape featured Vic Mensa and Cakes da Killa. Both projects were actually recorded in a dental office belonging to producer Parker Corey's grandfather.[21]

2017–2019: Drive It Like It's Stolen, signing to Loma Vista, Injury Reserve

[edit]

On September 29, 2017, the group released an EP titled Drive It Like It's Stolen, preceded by the singles, "North Pole" (featuring Austin Feinstein), "See You Sweat", and "Boom (X3)". All of the singles were released with accompanying music videos. They joined Ho99o9 and The Underachievers on separate tours in 2017. In 2018, the group embarked on their first headlining tour, accompanied by Indiana artist Freddie Gibbs for its second half, and were featured on the Aminé single "Campfire".

On September 6, 2018, the group released a statement through their social media, stating they signed a record label with Loma Vista, helmed by A&R, Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua, and they'd be releasing their debut album under the label.[2] On May 17, 2019, the group released their self-titled debut album to generally favorable reviews. Following their debut album, the group embarked on a world headlining tour.

2020–2023: Death of Stepa J. Groggs, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, disbandment of group and By Storm

[edit]

Stepa J. Groggs died on June 29, 2020, at age 32. The group announced his death on their Twitter account, mourning "a loving father, life partner and friend."[22][23] No cause of death was released.[24] Since Groggs's death, the group has been featured on songs by Dos Monos,[25] Tony Velour and Aminé.[26]

On September 15, 2021, the group self-released their second studio album, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, led by the singles, "Knees", and "Superman That". The album features Bruiser Brigade rapper ZelooperZ, and was engineered by Zeroh.[27] Shortly following the release, the group embarked on a worldwide tour, alongside Slauson Malone and Colloboh on the US leg. Initially, Zeroh was the supporting act alongside Slauson Malone, but was replaced with Colloboh due to unforeseen circumstances.[28]

In an interview with Huck Magazine, interviewer Thomas Hobbs asked Ritchie with a T if the group could continue without Groggs. Ritchie responded: "I can imagine [Groggs] joking and saying: 'Y'all better still do this shit!'. But then I can also imagine him saying: 'You better not step on a stage without me!'. We're still figuring it out... We've not had an explicit conversation about continuing the group, but me and Parker will continue to create together [in some capacity]."[29]

On September 28, 2022, the group released a remix of "Ghost" by experimental pop musician, Body Meat, marking their first release since By the Time I Get to Phoenix.

On July 6, 2023, the group confirmed on their Instagram story that there would be no new music from Injury Reserve going forward, and that Ritchie and Corey would continue to produce music under the name By Storm.[30] On their Twitter account, they posted an announcement for the premiere of a double music video. The first half of the video is for "Bye Storm", the final track on By the Time I Get to Phoenix and billed as "Injury Reserve's last song"; the second half is for By Storm's debut single "Double Trio".[31]

Members

[edit]

Final lineup

[edit]
  • Ritchie with a T – vocals, recording (2012–2023)
  • Parker Corey – production (2013–2023)

Former members

[edit]
  • Stepa J. Groggs – vocals (2012–2020; died 2020)

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details
Injury Reserve
By the Time I Get to Phoenix
  • Release: September 15, 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl, CD, cassette, streaming

Mixtapes

[edit]
Title Album details
Depth Chart
  • Release: March 27, 2013
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Live from the Dentist Office
  • Release: July 22, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl, streaming
Floss
  • Release: 15 December 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl, streaming

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Album details
Cooler Colors
  • Release: June 18, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Drive It Like It's Stolen
  • Release: September 29, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl, streaming

Guest appearances

[edit]
List of guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Main artist Album
"Mutual Destruction"[32] 2017 TEEKS Non-album singles
"Campfire"[33] 2018 Aminé
"Talkin' Greezy (Remix)"[34] Cakes da Killa
"745 sticky (Injury Reserve Remix)"[35] 2019 100 gecs 1000 Gecs and The Tree of Clues
"Fetus"[36] 2020 Aminé Limbo
"Robert"[37] Jockstrap Wicked City
"Aquarius"[38] Dos Monos Dos Siki
"TED TALK"[39] Tony Velour 3M
"Ghost (Injury Reserve Remix)"[40] 2022 Body Meat Non-album single
"Counting Sheep (V2) [2018 Export Wav]"[41] 2023 Flume Things Don't Always Go The Way You Plan

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

  • Injury Reserve Arena Tour (2018)[42]
  • Injury Reserve World Tour (2019)[43]
  • By the Time I Get TOuring (2021)[44]
    • North American leg (2021)
    • European leg (2022)[45]
    • Australian leg (2022)[46]
  • Injury Reserve & Armand Hammer & AKAI SOLO Joint Tour (2022)[47]

Supporting

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Injury Reserve Insist They Are a Rap Group". FLOOD. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (September 6, 2018). "Injury Reserve coming soon ❤️ https://t.co/pHoNUwU4kF" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.[better source needed]
  3. ^ a b "Injury Reserve - Cooler Colors [EP]". OK-Tho. June 23, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  4. ^ "Members of Injury Reserve relaunch as By Storm". The FADER. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "@Injury__Reserve consists of @Groggsie_Boi and me! Thanks to the help of @Tylee2nice & @ParkerCorey we present". X. January 16, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  6. ^ "Am i a good man? Am i a fool? #goodman #injuryreserve #depthchart #inthemaking". X. September 2, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  7. ^ "DAYS SLOW NIGHT FAST PRODUCED BY @ParkerCorey". X. September 20, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  8. ^ "Meet Injury Reserve: Code Orange–Endorsed Rap Trio That Won't Be Pinned Down". Revolver. June 13, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  9. ^ "The newest member of @CAKEWHALES @JOrdanry AKA Steppa has a dope verse on my mixtape executively produced by @ParkerCorey". August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  10. ^ "Injury Reserve - Electric Relaxation music video releasing Jan 16th #StillPending #InjuryReserve". X. January 10, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  11. ^ "@ParkerCorey on production mixing mastering engineering and a lot more". X. March 28, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  12. ^ "INJURY RESERVE'S DEBUT SINGLE ON POINT FOR OUR FRESHMAN ALBUM DEPTH CHART RELEASED WEDN MARCH 6th AT 6pm". X. March 4, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  13. ^ "INJURY RESERVE PRESENTS TO YOU OUR SECOND SINGLE GROWING DOWN". X. March 15, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  14. ^ RiTchie (March 27, 2013). "Me and @Groggsie_Boi as @Injury__Reserve present to you ... Depth Chart". X. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  15. ^ "On the 27th @Injury__Reserve is releasing our debut album Depth Chart! Hard copies will be given out for minimum $5 donations". X. March 18, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  16. ^ "@ParkerCorey is the unknown hidden soldier and genius third member of Injury Reserve feel bad for that kiddo". X. April 26, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2024. [better source needed]
  17. ^ a b "Q&A: Rap trio Injury Reserve discusses how they found their sound and separate themselves from the pack". September 18, 2021.
  18. ^ "Live from the Dentist Office by Injury Reserve on iTunes". iTunes. July 21, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  19. ^ "Live From The Dentist Office". livefromthe.dentist. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  20. ^ "Physical Copy". Injury Reserve. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  21. ^ Becker, Olivia (June 1, 2017). "Injury Reserve Are the Latest Weirdo Internet Rappers — But They're Actually Good". Complex.
  22. ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (June 30, 2020). "REST IN POWER Jordan Alexander Groggs a loving father, life partner and friend. (6/1/1988-6/29/2020) https://t.co/tYUa4nnebV" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.[better source needed]
  23. ^ DeVille, Chris (June 30, 2020). "Jordan Groggs Of Injury Reserve Dead At 32". Stereogum. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  24. ^ Kent, Sara-Aisha (July 1, 2020). "Jordan Groggs' cause of death a mystery as rapper dies suddenly". mirror. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  25. ^ Dos Monos [@dosmonostres] (July 24, 2020). "Thank you Injury Reserve @InjuryReserve for joining us on "Aquarius". RIP Stepa, we're honored to have met you" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Aminé [@heyamine] (August 7, 2020). "My sophomore album Limbo, out now. https://t.co/F40WRoHPkS https://t.co/V8EqQMDn0Z" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.[better source needed]
  27. ^ "By the Time I Get to Phoenix | Bandcamp". Bandcamp. September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  28. ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (October 4, 2021). "BtTIGtouring starts this friday in Chicago, unfortunately Zeroh won't be able to join us anymore so @colloboh will now be playing in Chicago and Philadelphia and @slausonmalone will be playing New York as well ! https://t.co/k457tiFS3d" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 13, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.[better source needed]
  29. ^ "'He was the heart of the band': Injury Reserve on a future without Groggs". Huck Magazine. September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  30. ^ "Image". Imgur. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.[better source needed]
  31. ^ "Injury Reserve Status". twitter.com. [better source needed]
  32. ^ "Mutual Destruction (feat. injury reserve), by TEEKS". TEEKS. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  33. ^ "Campfire" by Amine, Injury Reserve on Spotify, April 6, 2018, retrieved February 9, 2023
  34. ^ "Talkin' Greezy - Remix" by Cakes da Killa, Injury Reserve on Spotify, March 2, 2018, retrieved February 9, 2023
  35. ^ "745 sticky (Injury Reserve Remix)" by 100 gecs, Injury Reserve, July 10, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
  36. ^ "Fetus (feat. Injury Reserve)" by Amine, Injury Reserve on Spotify, August 7, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
  37. ^ "Robert" by Jockstrap, Injury Reserve on Spotify, June 16, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
  38. ^ "Aquarius (feat.Injury Reserve)" by Dos Monos, Injury Reserve on Spotify, July 24, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
  39. ^ "TED TALK" by Tony Velour, Injury Reserve, November 13, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2023
  40. ^ "Ghost (Injury Reserve Remix)" by Body Meat, Injury Reserve on Spotify, September 28, 2022, retrieved February 9, 2023
  41. ^ "Counting Sheep (V2) [2018 Export Wav] feat. Injury Reserve" by Flume, Injury Reserve on Spotify, February 8, 2023, retrieved February 9, 2023
  42. ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (January 12, 2018). "TICKETS ON SALE NOW. INJURY RESERVE ARENA TOUR 2018. 🎫 https://t.co/bmtXe0CYXr https://t.co/2kdSpRlfAm" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.[better source needed]
  43. ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (June 3, 2019). "INJURY RESERVE WORLD TOUR. US/EUROPE TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS FRIDAY. AUSTRALIA/NZ/JAPAN RUN STARTS THIS THURSDAY IN CHRISTCHURCH. https://t.co/iz3B9M6QZf" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.[better source needed]
  44. ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (September 7, 2021). "BtTIGtouring us & euro dates this fall/winter, tickets go on sale friday at 10am local time. V thankful to have @slausonmalone joining us again and excited to play w @_zeroh ofc after mixing this new record w him <3 https://t.co/6MXqdstYN0" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.[better source needed]
  45. ^ "Sorry to announce bttigtouring euro dates have been postponed to this summer and fall, now w added dates in Glasgow, Pohoda & Budapest, all tickets will roll over to these dates unless refunds are specifically requested, stay safe <3". Twitter. Retrieved June 16, 2022.[better source needed]
  46. ^ @InjuryReserve (May 3, 2022). "Announcing bttigtouring AUSTRALIA dates, tickets available now at http://injuryreserve.online/tour" (Tweet). Retrieved February 1, 2024 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (March 2, 2022). "Joint tour this May w Armand Hammer & AKAI SOLO, tickets will be available this Friday at noon est. https://t.co/5de7P5Akon" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter. [better source needed]
  48. ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (May 12, 2017). "NORTH AMERICAN TOUR w/ Ho99o9 https://t.co/r0h4X3Trfy" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.[better source needed]
  49. ^ Injury Reserve [@InjuryReserve] (September 19, 2017). "North American tour with @THEUALIFESTYLE Tickets available now at https://t.co/bmtXe0CYXr https://t.co/SB9M5hHFq9" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Twitter.[better source needed]
  50. ^ "Announcing we'll now be joining @bmblackmidi for 4 of their shows next April in Seattle, Vancouver, Portland & Berkeley". Twitter. Retrieved June 16, 2022.[better source needed]
  51. ^ "We'll be supporting IDLES @idlesband from August 30 to September 17 in Phoenix, Dallas, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Detroit, Toronto (2x), Cleveland, Newport (KY), Pittsburgh, DC, Brooklyn & Boston". Twitter. Retrieved June 16, 2022.[better source needed]
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