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About Gods & Defects

Started in 2016, Gods & Defects is an American Hip Hop Rap duo from Chico, California consisting of members; Marin “eMpress” Kemper (Born July 22, 1998) and Aaron “Nocuous” Kemper (Born April 6, 1996). While coming from vividly different upbringings the duo found many commonalities in music, dating for four years before founding Gods & Defects and marrying soon after. The duo now boasts superior lyrical skill, exceptional vocals, and the ability to execute intricate raps of many styles; highlighting West-Coast and Mid-West Chopping styles. Currently, the duo is working with Hollywood Studios Media Center in an effort to break out of the Northern California music scene.

Origin of the Name

The idea for Gods & Defects originated as a play on words of cause and effect. Wanting to show how gods (people/ideas worshipped by others) and defects (persons who leave a belief/cause or faults/flaws) are always directly related connected and forever bound together in ways that are obvious and some that are not.

The goal of the name Gods & Defects is to also embody two core ideas. The first is that any physical “god” – or a person looked to by others or those held up as idols such as celebrities – is not without defects and should not be followed blindly or thought of as an example of a goal to achieve. The second part is that any “defect” – or a person who devalues themselves feels flawed or insufficient, or is led to feel that way by others – still has the potential for greatness to achieve their dreams and be looked up to by others, or – in other terms – to become godly.

About the Artists

eMpress

What does not kill you makes you stronger. A coal, when subjected to immense pressure, becomes a diamond. Weapons are forged in flames. All of these analogies can be applied to eMpress and the artist she has become. Starting in acting at the age of five, she took to the stage in a way that can only be described as instinctual. While she was on the brink of the acting world she decided to take a step back choosing to pursue a normal life; though continuing to work in the local theaters and strengthening her singing voice. By the time eMpress was fourteen, she had survived more hardships and tragedies than most people will ever experience, not the least of which was the loss of her father to cancer at the age of eleven. All of the pain and loss tried to tear her down and break her, but all it did was give her an indomitable spirit and unstoppable drive to achieve her goals. While still holding onto her passion for acting, within Gods & Defects eMpress found a way to channel the force boiling within her through her alluring singing voice and fierce execution of rap lyrics. eMpress has been singing her entire life but rapping only for a few years, though the genre could not be considered foreign to her. Being raised on the likes of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, and often finding solace in Eminem and Tech N9ne hip hop burns in her veins as much as any emcee alive today.

Nocuous

Growing up in Chico, California Nocuous did not have many open windows into the dark side of the world. Many close their minds off from it, but Nocuous sought it out. He kept his eyes wide and his ears open. He paid attention to the glimpses of corruption everywhere, from high school politics to nationwide affairs. Nocuous has one of those minds that sees the world as a whole. He sees the good and the bad, the light and the dark as one mosaic picture. Nocuous uses this expansive mindset of his to ignite a whole world of knowledge. His intelligence and philosophies are what make him stand out in a crowd. These show in his lyrics and is why they are so impactful. He has been writing for more than 7 years, starting with poetry and then–when discovering rap and the different artists who inspire him–he began writing the songs you hear now; telling the world’s story through his eyes. His captivating presence, commanding voice and message filled lyrics are what makes him a force to be reckoned with in the hip hop world.