Injury Reserve are an Arizona-based alternative rap trio whose music is highly reminiscent of golden age hip-hop acts like A Tribe Called Quest and Black Sheep, yet thoroughly in tune with the sounds and issues of the 2010s. Like Brockhampton, their songs are playful and exuberant, relating stories of everyday events and daily struggles, while their music is also urgent and socially conscious, criticizing the music industry and addressing issues such as racism. Their debut, Live from the Dentist Office, was issued in 2015. Consisting of MCs Ritchie with a T and Stepa J. Groggs, and producer Parker Corey, Injury Reserve formed in Tempe in 2014 and released their debut EP, Cooler Colors, that year. The release featured heavy boom-bap production, but by the time the group released their full-length debut, Live from the Dentist Office in 2015, their sound was slightly mellower and jazzier. Featuring guest appearances by Chuck Inglish (of the Cool Kids) and Demi Hughes, the self-released album was critically acclaimed and garnered the group a word-of-mouth following. In 2016, Injury Reserve released the singles "Oh Shit!!!" and "All This Money." Both songs appeared on Floss, the group's second full-length, which was released at the end of 2016. The album included guest appearances by Vic Mensa and Cakes da Killa, and featured more varied production, ranging from caustic trap to dreamy chillwave. Following 2017's brisk set Drive It Like It's Stolen, the crew released their self-titled third LP. Injury Reserve featured appearances by Rico Nasty, JPEGMAFIA, Amine, Freddie Gibbs, DRAM, and more. Stepa J. Groggs died on June 29, 2020 at the age of 32. ~ Paul Simpson
