Showing posts with label pnd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pnd. Show all posts
Despite Ashton Rich’s recent EP, “Sober Enough”, being one of the most thunderous, modern-trap projects of the season, he makes it explicitly clear from the opus’s opener that he does not condone the new wave. “Pretend”, the track in question, is a flagrant dissection of the trendy, stereotypical personas rappers embody today; matchlessly kicking off six-tracks of identically astounding energy. For, Ashton Rich maintains that audacity throughout the entire fifteen minutes that “Sober Enough” runs. Briskly, it is translated into records such as “Problems”, and the ascending anthem “Lemma Know”, which is already soaring with plays. Merging Hip-Hop and R&B alone may be difficult for some. However, on this EP, Ashton Rich makes it an effortless accomplishment. Like a pendulum, he swings between both genres; and as the momentum builds, so does the strength of his records. In many aspects, that is the perfect simile for Ashton Rich, and “Sober Enough” entirely: a pendulum, whose swung has built up enough momentum to be a wrecking ball; ready to smash right through the rap game.



Some people travel so much, they become an amalgamation of every place they visit. They journey to a new region and easily assimilate into that culture, amazingly making it their own. East Coast rapper, Ray Reaves is one of those people. After a recent move to Toronto, Canada (likewise attaining permanent residence), the chameleon artist offers us “The Only One”; a passionate bop that is more Toronto than your favorite Toronto act. At the very least, it comes dangerously close. “The Only One” is teeming with melody. In crooning to a special someone, Ray Reaves bares the dint of his melodious soul. Certainly, the track upholds a Hip-Hop bounce: colorful synths backed by pattering trap drums. A verse from the emcee even channels his East Coast heritage: raw with lyrical aggression. However, the atmosphere on “The Only One” is insanely alt-R&B. The same alt-R&B forwarded by the stars of OVO Sound. With this record, Ray Reaves adds his own flavor to the sound of his newfound home. What comes of that is an astounding, radio-hungry banger. Give “The Only One” a play, and you too will be counting down the days until Ray Reaves is Canada’s next heralded star.




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“The Only One” 


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 Slow and solemn, a haze of ambiance glides floats along your peripherals. Before this chill completely engulfs you, a warm 808 splits it in half, and the tap of a rimshot pushes gentle, West Coast crooning into the mix. It is rising, Los Angeles R&B talent, DMNS; wrapped in autotune, formally welcoming you to his latest single, “Sacrifices”. And it is an ethereal welcome, to say the least. The rattle of subtle hi-hats and bounce of R&B drums will guide you through the melodic mist of the record; whilst DMNS’s flavorful, reverberating harmonies tug at the very threads of your heart and soul. “For you I make sacrifices...” he sings, backed by arctic ad-libs and vocal alternates; whose presence create this unique duality for the song. Yes, our singer’s delivery and intentions are warm, however, the reality that surrounds him is callus, cruel and cold. For his warmth to be felt; for DMNS’s love to truly be cherished, he must make “Sacrifices”. That realization is what brings us this chilling, alternative R&B record; and this chilling, alternative R&B record will be the reason DMNS is eventually on everyone’s radar.



“Sacrifices” on Spotify



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With a brilliant blend of melodic R&B and hardcore trap comes North Carolinian artist, Benjamin Ken. Loaded with fourteen, versatile tracks, is his recent, astronomical endeavor, “BEN 2 REAL”. When it comes down to it, there is a distinct dichotomy that spans the entirety of the project. On one hand lies the gentle, melodious side of the Atlanta-based artist, that bleeds out on records such as “INTRO (HERE FOR YOU)”, “PRETTY GIRL VIBES”, “REAL ONE (ft. Lea Robinson)”, “DRUNK TEXT”, and “LIFELINE”, among others. In the shadow of that hand, lies Ken’s darker half, molded by those Southern streets. That treacherous, trunk-thumping sound can be found in cuts such as “ROOFTOPS”, “2 Real”, “GUCCI (ft. Walt)”, “CELEBRATION” and “CRAZZI”.


What Ken demonstrates through this duality, is the powerful dexterity of his songwriting. He proves proficient in crafting slow-burning, alt-R&B records for the ladies; while, likewise, giving fellas a list of bangers to ride to. The only other we’ve ever known as skilled with this separation of sound, hails from Toronto, and has been dominating the charts for the past ten years, hit after hit. The moment “BEN 2 REAL”, in all of its impressive versatility, hits the mainstream, Benjamin Ken could be following in those same, exact footsteps. Click the link, and see for yourself.



“Ben 2 Real” 
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On August 16th, back in 2016, a Louisiana singer-songwriter had a brush with death. New Orleans’ own, Mansa Obi’s, story almost ended with a horrific fall from a thirty-five foot height. Yet, as the saying goes, the only thing that can circumvent death is new life; and our creative crooner embellished every ounce of that notion with his latest work of unignorable vitality. Titled “What Matters”, Obi’s latest drop is a four-track reunion with the life he almost lost; and genesis of a new chapter in his artistic parable. 

In every way, “What Matters” is Obi’s heart in audio form. Just as his own refused to quit pumping on the eve of that fateful day, the project pulsates with a consistent tempo of “New Orleans Bounce”. This groove slithers through every beat on the singer’s album, undulating underneath some of the most breathtaking R&B ballads you’ll hear all year. Your soul will be opened by his initial track, “You Remind Me”, which features Obi’s vivacious vocals and disemboweled adlibs flowing freely across a violin-tinged melody. On the record, the Louisianian smolders with infatuation over a particular love interest; letting them know who they remind him of, and exactly what he wants to accomplish for the night. Tracks “Cinderella” and “Now” trail close behind, with the latter being a personal favorite next to the album’s opener. It is a softer record in comparison to its predecessors, featuring Obi singing in a falsetto that will reach deep into that very soul of your’s he opened not too long ago. “Lust” is the final track on the project; and here, he’ll ultimately melt your spirit away; burning with such sultry, and soulful inflection. There are synth stabs and xylophone melodies that season the instrumental, spicing up the man’s vocals even further. Next to his vocals, the sparse production on this album is one of its greatest assets, due to how well it allows Obi’s performance to shine; and showcase his undeniable star power. In 2016, this talented musician took a life-threatening fall. In 2018, he’s landed on the top of underground R&B.



“WHAT MATTERS”


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Soaring on a melodic cloud of vocalism and versatility, is New Jersey upcomer, Rich Ab. Representing Sicklerville specifically, the artist shows not only is he a force to be reckon with in the studio, but that he has also been gifted with the ability to create something for everybody, through his latest album, “E.W.R.”. 




 “E.W.R” comes ten tracks in length; and by the end of a single listen, there shouldn’t be an audience in the world he hasn’t captivated. In the short span of 35 minutes, Rich Ab dives from his cloud of bars and melody, into nearly every urban genre imaginable. If you fiend for trap smashes, his intro “5 Freestyle” and third track, “Too Much” will throttle your speakers and turn up any function you find yourself in. Nostalgic about the early 2000s? His record, “Body” comes with an undeniable East Coast bounce, that would’ve set any club in the country on fire. In the mood for the softer, more melodic takes of modern hip-hop? “Nights Like This”, “White Girl”, “Ghost”, “Alive” and “Dance With Me” are soaking in autotune and emotion; perfect for those smooth, nighttime rides through your area. He even freaks a dancehall record through the stellar track “On It”, and a remix of Young Thug’s “Killed Before”, through the ninth track, “No Love Left”. All in all, this album is undisputed proof that, in being blessed with such well-rounded range and versatility, Rich Ab has all the makings of a superstar. The moment mainstream radio gets a hold of any one of these records, he will be unstoppable.





Recent Interview
http://tobtr.com/s/10929017



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