If you had “the return of a fictional, anonymous, cult-classic rap alter ego” on your 2026 bingo card, congratulations.
Captain Murphy—the dark, pitch-shifted pseudonym of electronic polymath Flying Lotus (Steven Ellison)—has officially crept back out of the internet shadows. His mission? To drop “Mudhole,” an original, skull-rattling track for Lionsgate’s upcoming martial arts thriller, The Furious, hitting theaters on June 12.
Produced alongside Brainfeeder labelmate Little Snake, the track is a textbook definition of a menacing rage record. Built on a cold flow and an absolute bulldozer of a beat, “Mudhole” weaponizes ordinary sounds. That includes a car unlocking or a cartoonish wind whoosh—and strips them of any warmth.
To complete the nostalgic trip back to the project’s 2012 roots, the track features visuals by longtime Adult Swim animator Adam Fuchs (aka Lilfuchs). This creative mind helped forge the Captain’s original, occult-tinged iconography.
A Sonic Onslaught for a Perfect 100% Masterpiece
“Mudhole” is the ultimate sonic companion for The Furious. This upcoming action flick already boasts a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The plot is a lean, mean, vengeance-fueled ride. When a human trafficking cartel snatches the daughter of Wang Wei (Xie Miao), the corrupt local police look the other way. Wang Wei goes on a one-person rampage, teaming up with Navin (Joe Taslim), a journalist whose own wife has mysteriously vanished.
It is directed by stunt legend Kenji Tanigaki. And produced by Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). The film features an absolute masterclass in choreography, pitting Xie Miao’s lightning-fast Wushu strikes against Taslim’s bone-shattering Judo throws.
Flying Lotus Lays Down a Beat
The return of Captain Murphy is just the latest victory lap in what has already been a massive year for Steven Ellison. The grandfather of LA’s Low End Theory beat scene, producer on Kendrick Lamar’s seminal To Pimp a Butterfly, and cinematic director (Ash, V/H/S/99) is actively feeding his fanbase this summer.
Beyond dropping his house-inspired BIG MAMA EP and reissuing his debut album 1983 for Record Store Day, FlyLo is about to trade the DJ decks for a full live band. He is taking over both coasts this July for a bi-coastal jazz residency at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Clubs.
If you want to catch the maestro in his natural element, grab your tickets fast—he’s playing two shows a night.
Flying Lotus Blue Note Jazz Residency
July 8 — Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City, NY *
July 9 — Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City, NY *
July 11 — Blue Note Jazz Club, Los Angeles, CA *
July 12 — Blue Note Jazz Club, Los Angeles, CA *
*two shows per evening
Watch The Furious when it hits theaters on June 12. This is one action flick you don’t want to miss! You can listen to Flying Lotus’ “Mudhole” HERE.
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