“Gongshi” is a new Hip Hop beat by music producer Astroboter from Germany. The beat is inspired by the movie “Parasite” and the current state of human wisdom.

The wise are usually portrayed as elders, who are living in quiet and social distant places. Think of your favorite Yoda or Buddha. Typically they were respected and honored by the common folk. Kings and clansmen always held the wise close to them, trusting and fearing their knowledge.

Nowadays you'll find your typical wise lifestyle guru spreading truth on Instagram and TikTok. Even politicians are using influencers to influence their influence. Just tap the like button and pure wisdom will follow. But please subscribe, otherwise your newly gained wisdom will vanish into ones and zeros.

Is this the right way to think, especially in times where our actions are determining the future of humanity? Where are the Yodas of today, guiding us to use our precious force?

Add to this the theme and story of the movie “Parasite” by Bong Joon-ho from 2019:
Humans shown as parasites in social classes, feeding off of each other in a mansion which is based on a concept of a genius architect. As the house itself reveals more secrets, we learn about different ways to perceive time and dreams. As one is living a hectic life outside, bombarded by millions of bits of information and hunting for a pricey dream, another one is living in a cave, transmitting a message over and over in a nearly forgotten language, just to keep a small hope for something good alive. And in the midst of it is a scholars stone, which are called “Gongshi” in Chinese.

For Astroboter, these themes tie well into his music production. Getting older and more experienced in all aspects of life, the musician and producer also sees new measures of time and is gaining new wisdom for his craft daily.

“I've learned a ton about music and crafted my sound in different areas last year. After some Tech inspired tracks and pipelining 52 songs for a secret side project, I wanted to get back into Hip Hop beats. Gongshi kicked off some dominoes that became rusty and forgotten. So yeah, Beat Sutras Vol. III is in the making. Gongshi is a sweet teaser, a signal that I'm still in the beat game – wherever I will push the sound of Astroboter soon.”

The beat is rooted in Astroboter's love for raw and dusty Hip Hop. Undeniable, the vibe is inspired by classic Wu-Tang Clan joints and the quirky handwriting of Madlib. Astroboter is a sound druid, who adds mysterious flavors and sound trickery to pull you deeper into his music, preparing your thoughts and feelings to roam.

Honoring the wise, Astroboter once again powered up with Krautrock legend Eroc, who mastered “Gongshi” at his Mastering Ranch in Germany. The former member of the band Grobschnitt was involved in mastering Astroboter's single “Stenograph Letters” in 2013 and the first EP of Astroboter's former band Aeronautix in 2009. Now Eroc has delivered a fresh cut with an old flavor, ready for your speakers and your headphones.

“Gongshi” is available on all music streaming services worldwide and as an exclusive maxi single CD in selected electronics stores in Tokyo, Japan. The track is being released and published via Astroboter's label Psychedelic Dungeon Records on March 19th 2021.