BLVCK / WHXTE is the first double EP from Calgary’s hotshot newcomer, YXNG BLVCK, f.k.a. Black$tar. Having been influenced by a variety of cultures and genres ranging from rap to more experimental sounds such as rock, pop-punk, and alternative. With the addition of his Jamaican heritage to this healthy mix, Black$tar fell in love with music, from melodies, to memorizing vocal and drum patterns, and even later picking up piano.
2011 was the year the Calgary artist truly fell in love with hip hop, being heavily influenced by idols within the genre, such as Lupe Fiasco, the late Mac Miller, and T.I..
After a few years of honing his craft, YXNG BLVCK was introduced to another upcoming Calgary artist, by the name of Deezy. Together, the two would put on show after show, and soon brought on BLVCK’s long-time friend, Stik for collaborations and projects.
After 3 years the three had stunned and awed the Calgary rap scene with fully booked sets and packed crowds, as well as grabbing the attention of big-time promoters within their city, even opening for Smokepurpp at the Palace Theater. Later, getting booked for shows under major headlining artists such as The Outlaws, Kent Jones, Rich Homie Quan, Lil Nas X, and the late Juice WRLD, in addition to selling out shows within Kelowna, BC, and generating over 50,000 streams on his 2 highly anticipated EPs, BLVCK and WHXTE, on the sole power of Apple and Spotify alone, and YXNG BLVCK’s catalog was full and ready for the music industry in 2018.
Now, having signed to Underdog Entertainment, arguably Calgary’s first perpetual artist development powerhouse, Nefarious Supply has had the great opportunity of giving our readers and fans an in-depth review of his double EP, BLVCK / WHXTE.
Enjoy, and look out for more from this Underdog powerhouse.
BLVCK
LETS TALK ABOUT IT
Let’s Talk About It is the first track on BLVCK / WHXTE and runs out the gate, leading the rest of the double EP with bars almost as hard hitting as the 808s underneath. A roughly 1-minute track, YXNG BLVCK uses the track to get the starter energy off his chest. He requests all his haters to come talk about the success they’re so worried about, flexing his energy, work ethic, aspirations and achievements all in 60 seconds.
GAME TIME (ft. Tyson Meshaq)
Another banger, straight out the gate, YXNG BLVCK lyrically dances along the energized 808s, complimented by a simple yet entwining flute melody overtop. BLVCK brings on Tyson Meshaq for this feature, who brings just as much grime and heavy lyricism as his counterpart. The two go bar for bar, running through the 2 minute 50 second track with effortless flows and various switched styles. The gist of the track centers around grinding, gaining, and locking into your craft, no matter what it is. God is a major motivator behind the track’s influence.
JB FABRIC (ft. Sevan Mattar)
Right off the bat, BLVCK’s first words on JB Fabric is “I want it all”, a running theme throughout the course of the track. Topics of fashion, religion, and fake supporters are introduced, melding and flowing in and out of another heavy-hitting beat. The production switches to a murkier and stylistically darker tone as Sevan comes on and spits heavy material through a distorted voice, wrapping the weight and uncompromising feel of the track in a pristine bow.
SET IT OFF (ft. Deeper)
Set it Off is the fourth song on BLVCK’s double EP. A hype track from start to finish, BLVCK speaks on his past struggles with addiction, his relationship with God, his hunger for success and his unsparing approach to said success. Halfway through, a surprise feature from upcoming grime artist, Deeper, appears as BLVCK alley-oops to him for a final no holds barred verse, before the chorus hits the listener one last time.
LIT
A tonal shift in the tracklist, Lit’s production is much more crepuscular than the other tracks so far. Yet again BLVCK shows his versatility as an artist, switching effortlessly through various flows on-top of a bulky 808. The hi-hats add a playful cliffhanger for the rest of the beat, leaving the listener satisfied with the great blend between BLVCK’s energy and the production.
WHERE YOU AT
Where You At shifts the tone of the EP through the roof once again, and BLVCK seems to regain his composure and find himself within his music once again, flexing his success and fame, as well as his aspirations for even higher heights within his career, hitting the listener with a dose of “I’m still here, and I’m going to do what I set out to do.”
ECHOES II
The last song on the BLVCK side of the EP, Echoes II cruises in with pleasing guidance into the first Black$tar’s first verse, carrying a similar light-heartedness to the production style, yet, being injected with a sense of nostalgia and somberness. YXNG BLVCK speaks on tragedy, life experiences, introspection, and moving forward throughout the dark times thrown at you, a fitting end to the EP’s tenebrous side.
WHXTE
SPEECHLESS
The opening track on YXNG BLVCK’s WHXTE duality, the Calgary artist shows his versatility over different forms of productions. BLVCK rides the beat with lyrical stories of grandeur, fame, money, and women, all in all propogating the fact that in every aspect of his life, whether it comes to his music, his relationships, or his life in general, he’ll always leave those in his presence in awe.
JUST LIKE YOU (feat. Kaje)
Just Like You is the second track on the WHXTE half of the EP, and shows YXNG BLVCK’s lower register and as the tone of his voice changes, so does the tone of his lyrics. He and featured artist, Kaje, touch on topics of heartbreak, nights with the one you love, and nights without them, as well as moving forward and finding the one that compliments you inside and out. The production is smooth and compliments both artist’s voices perfectly.
ON ME
On Me starts off with a synth build up that leads into an almost afrobeat-esque beat progression. BLVCK, as it seems with every track on this double EP, rides the beat flawlessly and adds his own poppy, yet bodacious and real lyricism. He laments over witnessing a girl who is going through struggles with failed love and drug abuse, proposing that with him, she won’t have to worry, and that he has everything on lock.
MIAMI
Miami’s piano chord progression in the beginning smoothly allows for BLVCK’s almost submerged vocals to glide through and inject themselves into the track’s culmination. The beat speeds up as Black$tar builds for the chorus, before expanding for the chorus yet again. BLVCK talks about a heartbroken girl he’s met in Miami who took drugs to seemingly ease the pain.
SORRY
Sorry is YXNG BLVCK’s most introspective and heartfelt song on his double EP. The track is a tribute to a close friend of his who has passed away. On the track, BLVCK is lost, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually about the loss of his friend. All he wants to be able to tell them is that he’s sorry, that he wishes it was him instead, that he drinks to ease the pain, and that he just doesn’t know what to say. Grief has no answer, and BLVCK approaches this concept cautiously and sincerely.
ALL FOR YOU
All For You is one the most melodic tracks on the WHXTE side of our double EP. The production is exceptionally more light-hearted than the others within the tracklist, with sunny chimes and light synth progressions, underneath a warm 808 blanket. YXNG BLVCK speaks on love and how everything he’s working for is all for someone he holds dear, even through their ups and downs.
STAY
And Stay, the final track on YXNG BLVCK’s double EP, reigns the emotions of the project in, settling them down and laying them to rest. The track paints the picture of the artist asking a simple question and trying to answer it through every aspect he can, especially through his faith in God. He knows he has to move on, yet he also knows he can only go at his own pace, and he is just fine with that.
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Big shout out to YXNG BLVCK for the amazing music we were able to review at Nefarious Supply, to keep up to date with him you can find him on Instagram. And be sure to check out his new double EP BLVCK / WHXTE on all streaming platforms, and while you’re there be on the lookout from quarantines which features new releases from UDE signees every week.
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