‘So Many Feelings’ is grown-folk music that speaks on topics like relationships, commitment, and marriage. Song of Solomon vibes are strong on this. If you’re immature and not creative, you might not rock with this dope work of art or certain biblical passages. [Warning: Explicit – Made For Married Couples/Adults]  

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Google Play link HERE.

Spotify link HERE.

Social media: @VanessaHillHTX @AmishoBaraka @116BeatBreaker.

Cover art by @BlackRoseTheArtist.

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Thematically, the album fits together like a jigsaw puzzle. Each track, when properly observed and placed, offers another glimpse at the bigger picture which captures the scenery of a life that is all too familiar for many of us. Whether it's haunting past relationships ("Fabulous Dramatics"), arguments with people who are important to us ("Unhappy Birthday"), struggling to make it through the day ("Take Me Away"), and a general sense of frustration ("Why"), each song speaks to a common part of life and the difficulties that many of us face during our journey. "Overloaded" relates beautifully to schedules that are hard to keep and the busyness that fills our lives and often overwhelms us.

4th Avenue Jones pulled out all the stops and have achieved new heights with Stereo: The Evolution of HipRockSoul . With a firm grasp of musical standards and traditions, the group stretches the borders on this phenomenal effort. Read More Here

I’ve always appreciated how Swoope cares about fluidity in his albums. It’s evident to me that he chooses to pull in elements from the next song at the end of the current song in order to make everything flow together. 

On “Never Left” Natalie Lauren (fka Suzy Rock) brings in the theme right away. The beat is full of brass and a lot of synth layers. I feel like the beats on this project tell a story. Swoope treats the beats with as much intentionality as he does his flows and how his performances grow, the beats are a performance in themselves. Beatbreaker brought some heat on this track, and that switch up in the back half of this song is bonkers. The flow here is on point too.

“I’m an Anomaly/Check the gold plaque/’Crae, tell ’em we still follow Jesus/They can hold that/I’m back like a chiropractor off of vacation/Couldn’t come home ’til I covered all my bases/It’s it’s least I could do, like I’m working out of Avis/Eyes on Zion, unplug from the Matrix/Now I’m back”

“Old Me” begins with an old-school piano vibe and bass samples. There’s some record static on the track, and it feels a little old school. Wordplay has always been a strength of Swoope’s. This track is nuts with the wordplay. I want to decipher all the lyrics for you here, but how about you just go listen. He straight brings it on this tune with no hooks.

“TSNK” is another old-school vibe at the top. For some reason, it reminds me of the movie Scarface. TSNK stands for “Thou Shalt Not Kill” and it’s an important track. Not only because he’s speaking on injustices, but because he points to how murder isn’t right for anyone to have to deal with.

“It’s not a feeling any mother should feel/That’s why the Father said “thou shalt not kill”/It’s good cops, I’m just looking for balance/Can we stop hashtagging caskets please?”

“Way Up” is an interlude but picks up topically where that last one left off. One day Jesus is coming back and will renew everything. This track ends with a conversation that continues into the beginning of the next track. Fluidity on point.

“Black Boy” is chilled out with some soul samples and piano beds. Again there’s so much wordplay and meaningful words, and again the beat progresses naturally along with the performance of the flow. This song is talking about how to grow up into a man, and how the black boy is a king.

“You Got Me” is a song we all need to hear, about how our Father will never stop loving us. Here Swoope switches back and forth from singing to rapping. While this tune has a modern vibe, I love how he won’t waste an entire song by singing. It’s in this way that he gives us what we want. Some of us like to see versatility, and on the other hand, some of us just want to hear a tight flow. Taelor Gray is the only emcee feature on the album and lights it up. I have nothing bad to say about any of this.

With next to no features he shows he can carry an entire project all on his own. Throughout “Sonshine” the creative direction is on point, the topics are fire, the fluidity, writing, and performances are all above the bar. This is a slam dunk album for me. 

You can stream ‘Sonshine’ on Spotify.

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SEVIN & SEVIN DUCE “FROM THE PARK TO THE PALACE”

  
No matter how high you get up on the latter of life, there is always work to do at the bottom. And Sevin’s new album, From the Park to the Palace, is a true representation of that. He’s really reaching out to all of Christ’s children and the homies back home on this one. God Over Money staff sergeant Sevin, from Sacramento, California, has got something to put into your ear.

Yankin’, starts the album with a west coast bump to it. Sevin begins to weave a story from where Jesus saved him, to what mindset he’s gained in Christ, to telling satan; he better beware of the ministry that God has given him.

Help Us, tells a tale of what a person from the streets goes through. From carrying a “tool” (gun) to survive, to robbing, to banging for your set or streets, to getting the benefits for all the work you’ve done for streets, (like selling drugs). Sevin & Sevin Duce are telling the truths about what happens out there in the streets, with young urban males. It’s a cold world out there, but with guys like them. I believe we’re going to make it.

99 brings everything to a close. It’s a beautiful poetic song, where Sevin Duce; talks about some personal things that happened to him, like the shooting of his daughter. Sevin even speaks truth about, how grave a loss of someone who’s been killed; without remorse or feelings. The song really hits home, and reveals some truth about the street life.

God Over Money, I must admit. You all have brought another heart reflecting album, as you always have. Making people aware of what goes on out here. Thank y’all from the bottom of my heart. Because people really need to know. Much love to Sevin & Sevin Duce on this one. I’m definitely going to download this one for memory sake. Read More Here