Verona Hip-Hop Artist Amuck Set To Release New EP

Ryan Peters, better known to Pittsburgh hip-hop fans as Amuck, brings his raw and potent energy to another release. The EP Asymmetry officially hits the streets on Aug. 6. 

And with his producer Sikes in tow, Amuck will rock the stage of the Smiling Moose—in the South Side of Pittsburgh—the same night to celebrate. 

Amuck, a Verona resident, started his hip-hop journey back in 2007, originally performing under the name Enigma. His first release, Starving Artist, hit the Pittsburgh scene hard and immediately earned him respect from his fellow MCs and a nomination for Best Solo Artist at Pittsburgh’s Hip Hop Buffet Awards. His second full release, Improbabilities, released last year, brought a more reflective vibe. 

Amuck said it was time for an EP.

“I did flirt with the idea of keeping it going and turning it into a full-length,” the 25-year-old said.  “I think I got in, accomplished what I wanted to do, and got out.”

Asymmetry is taking the next step for Amuck, in that it’s short, compact and potent. 

“I just let the explosion happen and I recorded it," he said. "I guess you could call it accidental architecture.” 

Some of that explosion comes from past life experiences, job frustrations and everyday issues. He is the soon-to-be father of identical twin boys.

“Some of these tracks are my way of working out the ugliness out of my system before they arrive,” he said.

One track, “Anglerfish”, really brings the heat and allowed Amuck to empty some issues. 

“I was in an abysmal state of mind one day and rather than shrugging it off and adopting a ‘glass half full’ mentality, I decided to just be real and embrace the hell out of it, no matter how nasty it got,” he explained. 

But of course, being a father—even when the kids aren’t quite here yet—definitely makes him think about the impression he’s leaving on his kids with his rhymes. 

“I don’t want my kids to look back and think I was some blood-thirsty weirdo in a state of egocentric hyper drive," he said. "I just want them to see me as someone who puts a lot of thought and hard work into my craft, and I want them to do the same thing with their lives.” 

Amuck’s style and lyrical content isn’t all street and bragadocious though. He touches subjects like religious fundamentalism, existentialism and evolution. 

His last single, “Unfettered Ones” looks at a variety of issues surrounding religion and societal flaws. “Unfettered Ones” provided Amuck with more exposure through airplay on 105.9, The X, in Pittsburgh as well as numerous college radio stations nationwide. 

Despite being a solo artist, Amuck doesn’t go into this thing alone. His long-time producer Sikes is right there along his side making beats and really punctuating Amuck’s sound. 

“One of my favorite things about working with him is all the various styles and flavors he will bring to a track,” said Brian “Sikes” Howe. “I honestly never know what to expect when he comes over to record.” 

For the first two albums, Amuck collaborated with many Pittsburgh artists including Basick Sickness, Draztyk, PK Poo and Kiltervision. But for the EP, he stepped up to the national scene and tapped some nationally known MCs for guest spots. 

Pearl Dragon of Seattle-based punk-rap outfit Champagne Champagne contributed a verse to the EP and really enjoyed the experience with Amuck. 

“We originally hooked up when he opened for us when we played in Pittsburgh and we just really liked his style,” said Pearl.

Another collaboration on Asymmetry is with Grayskul’s Onry Ozzborn. 

“He’s a very inspiring individual and I enjoy his take,” said Ozzborn. 

Amuck definitely isn’t just a studio rapper either. He takes his skills to the stage on a regular basis regionally, performing with national acts such as Young Buck of G-Unit, Bizarre of D-12, Jedi Mind Tricks, Hed PE, Mushroomhead, Awolnation as well as local boys Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller. 

When Amuck isn’t recording, rocking the stage or readying the nursery, he is a nine-to-five kind of guy like most of us. However, after a bad experience with a previous employer and experiencing unemployment for several months, he crafted the track “99%.”

“I wanted to deconstruct the whole system and really put it all out there,” he said. “Why do we allow our employers to dangle a carrot over our heads and dehumanize us at every turn, when in reality, we are the ones with the power?” 

So while Amuck addresses society’s issues in his lyrics, there are some that definitely hit home. 

“While some of my material takes a few spins to comprehend, I think that anyone who’s ever held a job is going to feel this on the first play. It’s pretty black and white.” 

For all Amuck information, including the new EP Asymmetry, the upcoming release party at the Smiling Moose and more, visit Amuck’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/amuck412