ho99o9, pronounced “horror,” is a new age, DIY, punk rap duo with origins rooted in and influenced by the ebullient, ever-evolving music subcultures of the northeastern United States. Often and best described as “aggro (punk) rap” and “schizophrenic," this villainous yet refreshing union can easily draw comparisons to Odd Future’s headman Tyler, the Creator for their similar deliveries of expression.

Having performed for the first time as “ho99o9” in November of 2012, this new experimental, genre-defying band’s reputation has spread like wildfire, increasing its cult-like fan base rapidly. To date, they’ve played main stages with fellow (sometimes unconventional) talents like SZA, Shabazz Palaces, Cakes Da Killa and Bad Brains, and currently on a European tour.

1. They are from New Jersey.

Both from across the Hudson, Yetti999 and theOGM met through a mutual friend in Central New Jersey and both come from Newark and Union (Yetti999) and Elizabeth and Linden (theOGM). They are known for being apart of Jersey Klan or NJ Street Klan, described as a “performing arts collective.”

2. They are not easily defeated, go-getters.

In 2013, when the duo wanted to play at New York’s Afropunk Festival, they weren’t selected. But instead of being defeated, they set up a merch booth and performed, unofficially, right there at the booth. According to an interview with Red Bull Sound Select, that performance is how their current manager discovered them on the spot.

3. They are really independent and unorthodox.

When they’re not conveying messages about drugs, necrophilia or whatever else they choose on record, Yetti999 is making sure his children’s children’s children’s children knows how cool he was. Twenty years from now, he hopes he’s able to frame a photo of their grandfather onstage, with his penis out on some photographer’s or video man's forehead “and every time they walk in, they go, “That’s a legend on the wall.” In addition, they are straightforward about being “neutral” and not having a master, boss or a god to report to.

4. They’re playing the Vans Warped Tour this year.

According the official list released, h099o9 will play this year’s Vans Warped Tour alongside Bebe Rexha (co-writer for Eminem’s “The Monster” featuring Rihanna), Memphis may Fire, the cartoony Houston, Texas-native rapper RiFF RAFF, and Kosha Dillz, a Jewish rapper, also from New Jersey, who raps in English, Hebrew and Spanish) and I Killed the Prom Queen.

5. There are actually three 6s in the band’s name.

“999” inverted is “666.” Devil worshipping and Theistic Satanism aside, it is said to be “an emblem of dispassion toward ideologies and doctrines of all stripes,” according to the LA Weekly. After all, their name is “ho99or” and they do tap into occult realms.

Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images

6. They like to spit water.

Among the usual crowdsurfing and spitting lyrics, blowing fuses and and smashing microphones on their faces, Yetti999 and theOGM like to spit water. A lot. In fact, they’re known for spitting into photo pits and, specifically, spitting into the faces of photographers.

7. They’re into gender-defiance.

The founding member of the group theOGM enjoys wearing women’s clothing onstage, much like his cross-dressing predecessors Kurt Cobain and Twisted Sister, somehow adding a sweetness or delicacy to their signature noise and gory MO. 

8. They have a three-track EP out called Mutant Freax.

Though it’s only three tracks long, Mutant Freax represents the rapcore duo’s free spirit and rebellious nature. On tour now, Yetti999 and theOGM are prepping to release their forthcoming EP titled Horrors of 1999 on June 9 via Family, an artist development-label imprint.

9. They grew up listening to rap/hip-hop.

In an interview with LA Weekly, the group shared that they grew up listening to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, DMX, Ja Rule and many other '90s rap heroes and discovered other genres of music, namely punk, when they ventured out into New York City underground music scene, where they saw bands like Cerebral Ballzy, Japanther and the Death Set.

Todd Owyoung/Red Bull Content Pool

10. They’re great live

Seeing this duo perform live for the first time at SXSW this year left a tremendous impression—they were easily the most unique and best performance of the night, outside of the floor-trembling we all experienced when OG Maco walked onstage to perform his hit-singles “Bitch U Guessed,” “FUCKEM3X” featuring Migos, and more.

Listen to their two new singles from their forthcoming EP, Horrors of 1999.