Paris Texas - BOY ANONYNMOUS

The Enigma that is Alt Rap.

We’ve finally getting a lot of really good music! It feels like forever ago that I enjoyed a project in its entirety but this album takes the cake; everything that’s come out has either disappointed, totally flopped or under delivered (specially in the alt rap stratosphere) but Paris Texas has come in to save the day!

In this review, I’ll be covering a brand-new duo in the rap scene that I think you should keep your eyes on; these dudes know what they’re doing and it shows: Compton rappers Louie Pastel and Felix joined forces in the past year and broke into the mainstream with their hit single “HEAVY METAL”. There isn’t too much to say about the duo’s emergence into the scene since “BOY ANONYMOUS” is their first album that JUST released last Friday, so lets just jump right in.

You know the drill; I pick my top 3 favorite songs off the project, go into detail about how ingenious and innovative they are, then you go and listen to it and share it with your friends!

Starting off with the intro song “CASINO”: when my roommate put this on in our music-listening area I was immediately put into a trance at how Paris Texas’s vocals compliment the spaced out, almost hyper poppy melody that ducks in and out throughout the whole track whenever they decide to deliver a bar that goes against all conventional rap topics; like my personal favorite: “I’ve never been on the block, I just stay in the house, I used to cum in a sock”. The instrumental also takes a nosedive into the grey area between some alt rock, EDM and stereotypical trap; a super well-balanced song that delivers on all parts.

One to the next song; “PACK 4 DA LOW” is the second song on this project and BOY does it BANG! A lot of shit goes down in this song, like the introduction on the heavy, distorted guitar riffs layered on top of that FATASS 808 pattern with another weirdly melodic rage-esqe melody which I’m sure that if you were to speed up the sample the tiniest bit you can pull off an Uzi feature on this track. Lyricism follows the same sorta vibe as the previous song; some weird, off-kilter-ass delivery all throughout mixed with some more stabs taken at being a socialite.

Lastly, my favourite song award off this project must go to “SITUATIONS”. This track is what it would be like if you were to get the Beatles singing over a beat produced by Kevin Abstract and King Krule all mashed together;  an awesome headbanging compilation of filtered out background vocals mixed with a catchy guitar riff and a hip-thrusting bassline and drum pattern. This track makes me wanna throw on a white leather jacket with skinny red leather pants, walk down the street and  smoke a cigarette as I gatekeep the shitty, run down café down the street from all the “cool kids”.

That’s it for this review! I strongly recommend this album to anyone that’s interested in venturing into the weirder sides of rap and rock. To all my BROCKHAMTON, Baby Keem, and early hard rock fans out there, this project doesn’t shy away from wearing its inspirations on its sleeve as both rappers mess around with similar vibes and groove. Thanks again for stopping by! Don’t forget to keep up with the latest Nefarious news (especially the new merch drop). Stay safe, get vaccinated, and show love to small artists.

---

[MYMHM 5] - Rico Nasty - Nightmare Vacation

Rico Nasty, whew. What else can we say? Originating from Prince George’s County, Maryland, the DMV artist has made waves in the music industry that have had the metaphorical boats rocking since her Tales of Tacobella mixtape. Rico has put out consistent and solid projects since then, including the headbanging, face souring Sugar Trap 2, which helmed fan favorites such as “Poppin” and “Key Lime OG”. Her debut album, Nasty, featured upcoming artists at the time such as Blocboy JB and Lil Gnar, and with the coming of her sophomore project, Anger Management, Rico had officially solidified her name in the rap game.

Now with her final studio debut project, Rico Nasty’s Nightmare Vacation has finally taken stage. Take a ride with us as we walk you down the the chaos ridden beaches of Rico’s World.

Candy

An aggressive and hyperactive first track off the project has Rico throwing listeners in an off-kilter production, engineered by Jay Que, supplemented by her subtle, yet gnarly lyricism. On this track Rico beckons her haters and critics to try their best because they’re going to have to kill or fight because, despite all of the negative energy, she’s shining brightly regardless, evident in her first lyric:

“On a dark and stormy night, I don't blend in, bitch, I shine bright (Okay)”

(fyi) There is a more in-depth analysis into this particular lyric on Genius.

IPHONE

IPHONE is the most experimental of the tracks on the project, with innovative producer Dylan Brady, who fans speculated was 100 Gecs due to their similar engineering styles. IPHONE is a trap song on an EDM trip, switching between the genres effortlessly as Rico styles out in a high-pitched, elecrtic synth vox-like delivery, followed by beautiful harmonies.

Honestly, this song is just a vibe. We love it. That’s it.

STFU

STFU is is probably one of our favorites due to Rico’s bare delivery on the track. She didn’t let the beat rest, and surprisingly vice-versa, bringing out this beautiful give and take that drew us in from start to finish. Rico’s storytelling has also improved, proving her growth as an artist in such a short period of time, lyrically and as a curator of her style of music, scream rap.

Back & Forth (with Amine)

Any day Rico and Amine decide to collaborate, the fans are always happy. The Sugarparents feed their children since Amine’s vibe-ridden ONEPOINTFIVE. On the beautifully orchestrated track (thank you CashMoneyAP) the two vetted rappers go “back and forth” with each other, slipstreaming through each other’s topics, ranging from not wanting to play games to the fear of saying what they need to say for whatever this is to move forward.

The song is an absolute vibe and Amine is already a fan favorite of mine, a very good collab!

Smack A Bitch (ft. ppcocaine, Sukihana, & Rubi Rose)

Smack A Bitch has been a staple track that signifies most, if not all, of what Rico is trying to convey in her music, with the energy, the grit, the demand for respect, the absence of care, Rico made this breakout single back in 2018, and decided to bring it back in full force on Nightmare Vacation, with the help of some of the most confidence off-kilter black female rappers in the game.

RICO NASTY · Nightmare Vacation

---

What’s your favorite track on the album and most importantly what’s your number one favorite Rico Nasty song let us know in the comments below. And to stay up to fate with Rico Nasty be sure to follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

If you want to stay up to date with news and content coming from Nefarious Supply you can find us onInstagram,Twitter, and for our weekly newsletter you can sign up below, and we also working on some things for Nefarious Supply Wear, sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop!

Snoh Aalegra Takes Us Back In Time with "Ugh, Those Feelings Again."

If you could put all the feelings, ambiance, and overall vibe of Snoh Aaegra’s sophomore album into one word it would have to be outstanding! By taking the best sounds of what makes R&B music a sensational genre, and packing it into a 14 song LP that is exactly 40 minutes. Snoh Aalegra ‘s “Ugh Those Feelings Again” has solidified its place as one of the best albums of 2019., and she continues the trend of releasing bodies of work that emphasize quality over quantity

For those who are not to fambiliar with Snoh Aalegara and her body of work her big sky rocket came in 2017 with the release of Drake’s newest album ”More Life”. Sampled on Do Not Disturb her vocals over the beat produced by Boi-1da and she caught her biggest break. But she was making music for years before that and she has had some heavy hitting album’s in her early career.

Sheri Nowrozi, better known by her stage name, Snoh Aalegra was born in September 13, 1987 to Swedish and Persian parents and spend the majority of her early childhood days in Enköping, Sweden. By the age of 13 she signed an artist development deal with Sony Music Sweden and during this time she would record and work with producers to help develop her sound and overall style. She later left Sony Music Sweden and began working with Universal Music Sweden and 2009 under the name of Sheri she began working on new music. Her first single “Hit and Run” was released February 2009 and peaked at number 12 on the Swedish Single Charts, and her next single "U Got Me Good" was released in December 2009, peaking at number 2. By January 1, 2010 she expanded on her artistry and formally released her debut album, “First Sign”, which was received positively by the masses.

Moving forward into 2014, Sheri formally changed her name and started going by the pseudonym Snoh Aalegra and began working with artists like Common who featured her on his tenth studio album “No Body’s Smiling”. She went on to capitalize off of her connections and released her debut EP There Will Be Sunshine though Epic Records. in 2016 she moved form Universal Music Sweden and signed a new deal with No I.D’s record label ARTium Recordings and released Don’t Explain which featured production from James Fauntleroy, No I.D., Boi-1da, Christian Rich and DJ Dahi. From then on everything is history and she has added a new body of work to her extensive discography with;” Ugh, Those Feelings Again”

Music video for "I Want You Around" performed by Snoh Aalegra. ©2019 Artium Recordings www.snohaalegra.com https://instagram.com/snohaalegra https://www.twitter.com/snohaalegra https://www.facebook.com/snohaalegra

From the opening track to the ending track ;”Ugh, Those Feelings Again” feels like one of the most personal albums she has put out. After a long hiatus and staying very quiet Snoh Aalegra popped back up again and released the first single “I Want You Around” on February 18, 2019 following it up stunning visuals video featuring which features Asap12vy. She then followed up with three more singles; You, Find Someone Like You, Situationship.

The 14 track which featured production from No ID , Rob Holiday, Steve Wyremen from the Cocaine 80’s and more is divided into two parts a Side A and Side B. Side A being the “happy” side, and compared Side B to her previous effort FEELS, which summed up her emotional state and past relationships. This split is very evident in not only the production on both sides but the lyrics. Take for example ”I Want You Around” which is the second track on Side A. The sound of the song is happy, With the production featuring melodic happier sounding chords, which falls in line with the lyrics.

We can get away
Palm trees, beach views
Ordinary day
All I wanna hear is Innervisions on replay
And sit right next to you, you
I try not to show how I feel about you
Thinkin' we should wait, but we don't really want to
I just wanna get away
And sit right next to you, you

Overall this song is one of happiness with a current lover, this song signifies all the happy parts of being in love with a person that truly compliments you. Now ”You” from Side B is the complete opposite, the song definitely is sadder sounding song and the lyrics fall in line

I wish I thought before I-I spoke, yeah, yeah
Made up my mind before I talk
Everybody close to me
Think you are no good to me
They don't believe us
'Cause they had to see me
See me that way
But I only see us
Oh yeah
Yeah, I only see

This song is longing and the sadness that surrounds and individual after losing someone who meant so much to them. And this is what truly makes the album stand out because each song gives you this type of feeling. Both sides have some heavy hitters including Whoa, Find Someone Like You (which is very similar to TLC Waterfalls as far as the sound), and Love Like That. From Side B the most stand out tracks have to Be Careful (Which serves as the opening track to side B), Nothing To Me, I Didn’t Mean to Fall In Love, and Peace.

The solid production effort along with the deep and sincere vocals from Aalegra allows for the album to have unique place within industry right now as far as new R&B releases sound. On Snoh Aalegra’s new album similar to her previous work there is more of an emphasis of natural sounds and lighter sounding instruments with very simple drums patterns. Quality over quantity seems to be the main of focus of this album like her previous work. And this isn’t a bad thing because, like her previous work she has found a blue print that works for her and with the release of her album she continues to improve on it. Overall Snoh Aalegra’s new album is one of the best albums that artists have graced us with in 2019. By focusing on a sound that will help her stand out, cultivating a body of music that emphasizes quality, and featuring production that truly compliments her style Snoh Aalegra continues to grow her name as an artist.

Snoh Aalegra “Ugh, Those Feelings Again”- 10/10

---

Let us know in the comments what you think about the new album do you agree with our rating why or why not? Comment down below! To stay up to date with news and content coming from Nefarious Supply you can follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

TheNasa8 - Conviction Arc

Super-groups are such a rarity in this current generation of hip-hop. Groups like Pro Era that seemingly looked to carry the torch, split up to go in their own directions. Nowadays when groups of artists come together it’s more to bounce off the hype of each other in a pursuit of solo success. Not in the case of Baltimore hip-hop group TheNASA8, who have been childhood friends for years. Their activity spans over six years of work and discography stretches over 50 projects. The NASA8 deviates from what we usually see from a group in that they pride themselves on being able to create a myriad of sounds and never sticking to one lane. The group’s evolution over time shines in their new collective album “Conviction Arc”. set for release tomorrow 8/8/19.

TheNasa8 consists of Bito Sureiya, Tislam the Great, Jiro Sama, Opo Ra, Varth Dader & Ale, From Summerclub. A good portion of the production comes from in-house too, HippuHoppuOtaku, God Sense Beats, DK The Punisher, Tek.Lun all provide luscious, atmospheric thumpers on this album. Influences span the entire universe, underground, trap, electronic, grime it’s all here. This may be your introduction to the internationally based super-group, however the minute you press play you’ll immediately hear the chemistry and showmanship the group has built up. They’re no longer young upstarts trying to break into the industry, TheNasa8 is now a group of veterans that have a body of work under them, performance chops and a number of hits. The “Conviction Arc” album is a testament and embodiment of the years of work this group of artists has put in Stream TheNASA8's Conviction Arc Here, and while you listen Check out TheNASA8's #1 spot on Gimmie That Beat's Top 10.

Stephen Jailon - Oak CIty Blues

After a long wait Carolina artist Stephan Jailon dropped his new album Oak City Blues. The 28 track album which is split into a A-side and B-Side has Stephen showing is versatility as an artist, and flexing musical talent in what is just an intro of what is he has to offer. Oak City Blues is 28 crisp tracks that are filled with fun, love, and loss. I know you might see that “28 tracks” part and want to skim through the project, but you would be missing out on what is arguably one of the best underground projects this year.

“A.L.I Freestyle” the opening track chose for this project is sonically phenomenal, and what really ties the opening track together is the beat. Sampling Jasmine from Jai Paul the producer which is Stephen his self shows that he knows what he is doing not only vocally but is also a beast on the production end as well. In our latest interview with him we go on depth about the album to learn more about what inspired the sound for the album, why he chose to do an A - Side, B - Side track list, and many more. Find out more below.

What does the title Oak City Blues mean for you and how does this latest album add value to your discography?

Oak City Blues for me is the alignment of a story fully hitting home and where I am with music right now and the value I think added for me personally was I finally think I made something in the direction I really want to go

Give us a background about Oak City Blues what themes, locations, individuals and experiences have inspired the LP?

Oak City for one is a name for the city, my city Raleigh, North Carolina the blues was added to gesture the themes of pain, hard-work, and dedication that runs deep in the city and state. Not to dive to deep but memory was the main driver for this project I tried to tap into the feelings of when we first had that good summer night party or the first love and the shortcomings in between to the recognition of truth and growth with me as a person and my situations etc..

What gave you the inspiration to do an A side and B side for the album and what type of vibes were you going for each side?

Honestly in my opinion I just noticed the full length albums were starting to come back into play for the masses and at first I originally prepared for two releases Word on Road was originally side A and OCB was originally side B but after countless sessions and listenings we figured we just compile the best of the two and show both sides of me in the booth

Give us walkthrough of Side A

Point Blank Side a for all the hard gritty, we gone get this money sh*t...real raleigh sh*t !

Give us walkthrough of Side B

Side B I wanted a little more intricate I wanted this one to really capture the emotions and subtlety of the city

On production credits your name not only appears as the artist, but you also were executive producer, played a direct role in production of the majority of the songs, and also helped with engineering. How was it playing so many different roles in the making of the album?

That’s really how I make all of my music from ground up but i def have producers and engineers I love truly but most of the time I like to record like “next, next, NEXT” and when I don’t like something I go right back like oh the 808 should be like this or nah imma take this vocal out. You have direct access to it it’s not middle man I think everyone gets where I’m going with it...but I also really loved playing all the roles because I really get to treat and careful for my music like I know no one else will not a perfectionist but I definitely like to be apart of my process I don’t sit back and smoke all day in the Studio I’m really active in the yo, like leave me there by myself type sh*t!


Give us some background on Ali Road Studios, how and what kind of role did the collective play in the making of the album?

The team really kept my spirits high they’ve helped on some the production, promotion, and performance of the album. My favorite part of the team is the perspectives we are all from the same area mostly but very different views but it works so it’s dope ya know?!

On the album you only have two features Noah, and Krew$ can you tell us more about these artist and your decision in only featuring both?

Noah is Amazing, I consider him a brother first before the music shit he’s not only an artist but one of the best A&R’s in the city he gets every one from every crowd and can respond to each and get people that wouldn’t be in a room together on a stage or in a studio and that’s specials admire him and the The Lo$t Generation family’s work entirely.

I actually met Krew$ via Soundcloud long story short we chopped shit in dm’s and got to working Money Counter was the first song we ever made I remember I made the beat and laid my sh*t in the same session and I sent it to him and like the next day or so he sent his verse back and I just knew from then ok we make hits and Losing Faith was the second record and everything happened the same way exactly all over again so my brother Krew$ is a no brainer when you need the hits man

What was the timeline with the album, about how long did it take before you knew it was ready for release?

Really this album was a living process more than a musical one it’s some songs where I felt things that were pure to me fours years ago and some four months and for me it finally came together July and I decided the date like the first

What are some of your favorite tracks on the album and why?

Carolina Cruiser just cause it’s one of the oldest songs on there and I made that when I first started making music like one of my first few songs so to sit on that one for a while and just now release it feels super good, Weekdayz my second just because that whole song is really a conversation with myself and my demons

What can we expect in the future from Stephen Jailon, and Ali Road Studios

I’ve got a tape promised to my supporters locked tight at the moment but that’s for later this year but there will be new merch + videos in the following months.

Any last words?

I’m just super humbled and thankful for the reception. When you know it’s whipped from scratched it just feels different but all in all we just working

You can stream Oak City Blues now on Apple Music and SoundCloud and to keep up with Stephen Jailon and Ali Road for new releases you can find Stephen on Instagram and Twitter and find Ali Road on Instagram here. Also if you want to support him snd his collective studio be sure to check out there merch store right here. Big shout out to Stephen Jailon for coming on Nefarious Supply, he really did his city proud with this body of work.

If you have listened to Oak City Blues let us know your favorite song below and If you enjoyed this interview be sure to leave a like and comment. To keep up with content coming from Nefarious Supply you can find us on Instagram, Twitter, Apple News and Facebook.

Zach Taylor - The Calm EP

Zach Taylor is an up and coming artist from Calgary, AB. We have interviewed Zach before and have really enjoyed his content. Zach raps in a unique fashion and continues to keep his audience on their toes. The Calm takes a new direction from Zach’s previous sound and creates a more chill vibe, with warmer tones in it. We look forward to hearing Zach live on July 10th at his album release in Calgary, which Nefarious Supply will be covering.

Q: What is the main goal with this album?

EP! The Calm is an EP, haha. I had several goals for The Calm.

1. Making our beat production more diverse, as well as thinner, working off less is more.

·       With these 4 projects we’re trying to build the Alternative Trap (Alt-Trap) sound right. Coming from strictly producing hip-hop into this alternative world I had to learn what sounds mix with what sounds. How far I can take certain areas. How many different subgenres and elements from those cultures can we involve in a singular record. Coming off a full year of that mindset we’re really break it down and thin out our production. There’s a beauty in making it work together for sure.

2.              Summer tunes

·       Since I rebranded (Jan. 2017) I’ve always tired to get a summer release following Up to 11 (Sept. 2017). The Backgrounder Tape (Mar. 2017) came out in the early spring but there was nothing that screamed summer about the project itself. Being an executive, marketing value is super important to me. 

3.              Reaching a different audience

·       With how we’ve made music so far, it’s been great. The reaction of the Rock and Trap is awesome. There’s definitely a demographic for it but what's so great about it, is also our biggest down fall. It’s so loud and energetic and up in your face. It’s a very big scale act having Slade (Guitarist) and Ewok (Drummer). Makes it great for us to do big shows like Bliss N Eso and the Release Party for The Calm. We needed to make it digestible for a more timid and initame audience, a side of the indie demographic we’re moving more into.

4.              Easter Eggs

·       Anyone who knows me or Slade knows we love Marvel. Easter eggs are in literally every project and you can follow the trail from The Backgrounder Tape all the way to The Calm. There’s something really cool within Trust, There’s Always an Alternative & The Calm that may need a little closer examination, it’s not impossible to detect but if you’re just bumping the singles you won’t be able to play this 4 year game we’ve been in for the past 2 years and even earlier releases.

Q: The Calm is a part of a series so when can we expect to see it had a very unique sound to it and is a step in a different from your last project. Why did it take this step?

So each of the 4 audio projects in Project EndGame (4 Avengers Movies, 4 Projects) will be different in sound than the last. The Alt-Trap sound is still yet to be officially defined in my mind right we’re on the hunt out there for it. Trust is The Trap mixed with Rock, Indie, & Jazz. We touch on EDM and Boom Bap but stick very Linkin Park, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Leon Bridges. The Calm is the Trap with a big LA, Miami, Caribbean, pop vibe. The next will be the Trap mixed with genres we’ve picked to work on, mostly ones we’ve never touched on. I can officially announce we’re in album mode! Working on the debut album! I’m really excited to see how it turns out.

Q: This is a big release for this album as you’ve been teasing it slowly, what would you say your favourite track is before we dive into it?

I love each record in a different way and could literally go into depth why but for max replay-ability, if i had to show someone ONLY one song. Late Nite Crew. It’s the simplest beat we made, it was the first record we created for The Calm in Nov/Dec, wrote it thinking about the summer I just came off of. The vibes with my girlfriend. The late night longboards. The Denny's trips. I feel like no matter where you’re at in your relationship even if you’re dealing with each other and growing as anyone will tell you should happen (considering it happens in a healthy degree for both parties involved) you’ll be able to relate to the song if you both skate and smoke.

From here Zach and I break down the songs and individually unwrap them, giving them their own personal backstories.

Q: Switch the Addy is the first song that gives this idea of massive change in your music style. What is the inspiration behind this song?

Production wise I love Hobo Johnson, the choppy inconsistent flow on the most empty beats. His “tiny desk” was amazing. I discovered him off that as many probably did. I knew I had to make something like it. I finished producing and wrote this song in The Den in the middle of January during the -40 dip in the weather and I just wanted to be elsewhere. Daydreaming I was elsewhere.

Q: You put the sound bit of waves in the beginnings and give a very tropical feel to it, what ideas are you trying to convey with this?

The Calm start to finish is actually a sunrise to late night narration of this one Characters day, the adult version of the youngin you see in the artwork, who we will actually come to meet soon. In this story he wakes up and goes back to sleep but when you’re asleep you’re (hopefully) not going to go into a deep sleep you just daydream a bit, and that’s his Daydream. The waves really induce that hypnotic feeling of being on the Santa Monica Pier even if you’ve never been there. I’ve been lucky to have been down multiple times. Not recently but it takes me down there for sure.

Q: The song is very light hearted and reflects ideas we haven’t seen from you before, where did they come from?

We’ve been making some banger music, high intensity. It was time to chill out a bit. I listen to every kind of music and i need to make music I listen to right. Can’t always make heavy trap music. I think it was mostly tapping into a whole other realm of storytelling and wordsmithing, painting a picture. Eminem and Joyner paint very good lyrical pictures, sometimes with very commercial records and that’s the dream. It’s really cool to have been able to grow in both.

Q: Drip forever is a bit of a beckoning back to your older music, with more of a trap feeling. What caused this slight shift?

In every record we make there's always a Trap element for Switch the Addy the element was only the hi hats on top of the Indie Pop. Listening to a lot of Aminé around the time of making this record. My good friend and someone who I consider a Calgary OG The Blue is coming out of his 2-3 year hiatus and he blessed me with a verse, his first verse in years! He killed it, he’s working on new stuff and I can’t wait to see what he decides to do in the future.

Q: Need to know you released earlier this year on Valentine's Day, as a single. What was the motivation for this?

Need to Know was the only record we saved from the creation of Trust (August 2017 - Sept. 2018) that went on The Calm. I started production on it Sept. 2017 and couldn’t relate at all. Wrote the first verse completely and left it for at least 4 months without a second thought. Even though the beat was so infectious and the hook was so catchy, I wasn’t dating, I wasn’t seeing anyone, I didn’t even have a crush on a girl for that matter. I’m being assessed for High-functioning autism, and that certain disconnect in my head makes it really hard for me to listen to and especially create music I don’t relate to. It does happen, but it's rare. Long story short, February/March this girl who I had extreme history with just walked right back into my life after dipping 100% out of it for 13-14 months. Her friend brings her to a show I was headlining at (S/O Jess) and she’s been by my side since. I finished writing the second verse and the bridge in a matter of minutes like 6 weeks after. I don’t jump into relationships and I had that “I never said it but I love you” at the end of the second and the bridge asks her out, so I wanted to make sure I was actually gonna ask her out, I saved it cause we have to naturally vault records and we were producing so many records I could fill her need for new music. May 19th, i'm like 3 days away from perfection the record and she deadass tries to tell me she loves me. So I had to shush her before she could and play her the song with half the chant vocals that are in it now. Makes for a great story.

Q: As a tribute to your relationship and girlfriend, what lines would you say stand out in the song that are direct tributes.

100% the whole thing. Every line, inside jokes, movies we like. Need to Know is her tribute.

FUN FACT & proof that I'm the king of easter eggs! Peep game! 

 First verse, completely written Nov/Dec. We linked back up in Feb/Mar.

Her name is Yoshelle. We call her Yoshi for short.

I say “Yo She” at least 3 times in the first verse but the craziest part is the way that they sound like “Even when we cut the lights yo she (yoshi) still shine. UNBELIEVABLE BRUV!

Q: We Aint Going Home Tonight has a very interesting vibe to it, almost like a club on a tropical vacation. What was the motivation for that?

Collaboration is a very big thing for me, with doing what we’re doing too right. I got A LOT of loops I’ll sif through, I got some great plug sites and producers that I get prime, not 100% exclusive, but very rare loops. I’ve seen it happen twice in my career where I've heard someone have a loop I've used, 1 song wasn’t my song, just one I produced. The records aren’t identical right they both have the loop. The xylophone you hear is one of the loops I found, I never went on a vacation or even been out of the Province in a long time! (a Province is like a State in Canada for all the American readers). I found it 20 minutes before a booked session with Maddie. I made the whole beat drinking my breakfast smoothie waiting for her to get to The Den. I played her the beat and she instantly started singing “Sun is going down” and I was shook. We recording it all there and that alone just carried the whole turn over. It was great!

Q: Obviously this song is about a party and is set in a warmer place than Calgary, so where do you envision this song taking place?

Miami hands down! Never been, but i’ve been to Fort Lauderdale on several occasions. Would love to go tho!

Q: Slide Thru is a very vintage sounding song, with the distorted guitar and a live crowd doing artist call backs. Why did you go with this idea?

Environment and/or narration is so important when you’re creating concept projects or albums. The Calm is day to night story but there’s no actually narration to it. We had to bring in the feel with the environment. You'll notice we do it with every record. The live 80’s guitar & bass has a nice evening feel to it after the whole pick up of Drip, Need to Know, & We Ain't Goin Home. Switch the Addy with the Beach/People FX. This drops a tranquilizer in the rhythm and melody but leaves the life in the drums. It leaves you your night music, it creates that image with that environment but you still have the energy to keep partying through the night and you'll feel the same texture in Late Nite Crew. The vocal chats are always done speratley, some time months apart but really cool to do. We use them as the characters "peanut gallery" a mostly biased, hopeless romantic, extra opinion. The mini cartoon characters in musicals for meant encouragement haha.

Q: When doing the group recordings for the callback, who did you end up getting for it?

It's all people who are in circle or artists and friends that'll come to the studio.

Fun Fact 2: The other 5 Underdogs (Aypayne, Selly Cisco, Niyi, Vars, & Yung Cazzy) were on Need to Know as well as a homie of ours Colin Martin. They all were involved in asking a girl out in a way.

Slide Thru only has a 2 of the Dogs and a lot more (artist) friends. Everyone's name is on the tracklist credits! You can see everyone there!

 Q: The song has a bit of a different vibe in terms of lyrics than Need to Know, where it seems to be like a call out to get a girl into you. Was this the intention with it?

The 2 songs for sure sound like they’re different. Personally I would still say these lyrics to my girl. I see how people will interpret it that way, that’s the plan, but it’s a (phone) call to link up, nothing more. You could easily call your girlfriend and play it smooth like that you feel.

 Q: How would you describe the style of this song?

80’s Pop Alt-Trap

 Q: Finally there is Late Nite Crew. This whole EP has been a roller coaster of different styles and makes it a very interesting listen, and Late Nite Crew doesn’t disappoint. The song beckons to a darker, even sexier tone to it. What is your intended feeling with it?

It’s the closure, the end of the day. The end of The Calm. The 1am, 2am banger you listen to skating lit as fuck downtown (Calgary) booling with your girl or a girl your becoming to know. Like I said at the beginning, you can listen to it at any point in your relationship and bond over skating, smoking, & conversation under moonlight. 

Q: There is lots about escape, being apart from everybody and just enjoying life with one person, is this the right idea with it? What would you be escaping from?

 100%, escape is a huge thing for the record. Me personally, I’m trying to escape from my head, sometimes my immediate family, escaping from all the expectations of life. You’re supposed to do this, you’re supposed to do that, you’re supposed to feel like this, and it’s these 2 kids (falling) in love thinking to themselves “well like what if I don’t want to.” That was one of the foundations of my relationship, honest rebellion from outside expectation. Being taught and brought up one way your whole life and just having felt so outside of everything cause the norm didn’t end up working. 

 Q: To end this off, would you like to say anything about the EP, the event that you are doing, and also your future projects?

S/O my team and the other teams/communities that helped us sell out Junction (Calgary, Canada) in under 3 weeks! Catch ya July 10th! Put The Calm on repeat and dig, dig, dig into the projects and look for those easter eggs. There’s something crazy coming and I can’t wait for the story to continue and hopefully we’ll be able to tell the full story visually very soon!

The Calm is out on all platforms to listen to, please give it a listen!