ESG

Formed in the South Bronx, ESG is a one of a kind art funk group defined by a spartan, economical approach to songwriting.

The core of the band, the Scroggins sisters, crafted a sound built on tersely phrased bass, minimal guitar, and a rhythmic foundation of drums and congas. Their vocal style is equally stripped back, favoring chants and taunting phrases that bridge the gap between singing and rapping. This precise, skeletal groove made them a major influence on hip hop and dance punk. Their track UFO became one of the most sampled songs in history, utilized by artists like the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and DJ Shadow. While they operated as unpretentious amateurs who fit into both downtown art scenes and underground dance parties, their music remains vital for its fearless simplicity. From snotty put-downs to languid grooves, ESG created a distinct, irreducible blueprint for modern dance music.