When Injury Reserve co-founder Stepa J. Groggs passed away in June 2020, many were uncertain about the future of the rap group, including the group itself. "We were struck with his loss and of course everything was put on hold," Injury Reserve wrote in a statement.
But now, members Parker Corey and Ritchie With a T are ready to perform again. The duo have announced a new album, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, and have scheduled the project to drop September 15.
By the Time I Get to Phoenix is the follow-up to the group's 2019 self-titled studio debut and was largely finished before Groggs' untimely death. The album will contain 11 tracks and the first single, "Knees," has already been released.
The release of "Knees" is accompanied by a music video that sees Corey and Ritchie with a T grimly sitting on a stage while bright lights blare around them. Grogg's ghostly silhouette seeps in as the light show continues.
Injury Reserve formed as a trio in 2013, with producer Parker Corey joining rappers Stepa J. Groggs and Ritchie With a T. They released their first mixtape, Live from the Dentist Office, in 2015, followed by the 2016 mixtape Floss and their self-titled album in 2019.
Since Groggs' death, the group has been featured on songs by Dos Monos ("Aquarius"), Tony Velour ("TED TALK") and Aminé ("Campfire").
As of right now, it is unclear if By the Time I Get to Phoenix will be the last album from the group or if Corey and Ritchie With a T will continue to make music under the band's name. In any case, Injury Reserve released a long press statement on social media about the new album's creation, and its dedication towards Groggs.
By the Time I Get to Phoenix is available to pre-order digitally off Bandcamp.
Watch the video for "Knees" and read Injury Reserve's statement below.
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Article Image: A black and white image of Richie With a T from Injury Reserve, looking down while performing during a 2017 Toronto show. (Michael Gonçalves for The Come Up Show [CC BY 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons.)
