Drop Day #7, 2020 With Misa Narrates
Drop Day is a phrase we use to describe the day that most musicians opt to debut new music. In the United States, it was historically on a Tuesday, but since Beyonce’s fifth studio album, advocacy to change the standardized album release date gained more traction. In South Africa, most musicians release on Fridays, albeit for many on the up-and-up, this isn’t necessarily the case. Nevertheless, below are the various music drops for Valentine’s Day 2020!
The Big Hash, “Amnesia”
“A song about love on Valentine’s Day? Groundbreaking.” is what I imagine Miranda Priestly would say if she were a music aficionado instead of a fashion mastermind. However, she wouldn’t be able to deny the brilliance of The Big Hash’s latest single. As a blend between singing and rapping, or maybe we could simply call it “melodic rap,” Hash is crooning over a lover who should have long been sent packing. Not that the love is unrequited, but one would swear that the relationship is loaded with complications, poor communication, and insecurity that could be overcome; however there is an air of toxicity in the described romance that we can all relate to in one way or another. There seems to be no salve for this wound as Hash sings, “Don’t let me fall for your games/ You set me up then put me down/ Want to move on, wish I could forget your name.”
Justin Bieber, Changes
When “Baby” hit the market in 2010, Justin Bieber’s reign as teenage heartthrob took over. Since then, he released four studio albums and an EP, but we haven’t heard much from him since 2015. Between health issues, public romantic ups-and-downs, and a drug habit, Justin Bieber arguably “fell off” the scene. However, with the release of his fifth studio album, Changes, Justin Bieber is re-staking his claim on the music industry as a pop sensation. Calling on featuring acts like Quavo, Post Malone, Cleber, Lil’ Dicky, Travis Scott, Kehlani, and Summer Walker, Justin maintains his pop, R&B, hip-hop specific style of genre-bending with this release. This project is an act of determination for Bieber, who at one point forgot that he was once the international pop sensation who serenaded the world. If you forgot the power of Bieber Fever, granted while Justin is finally presenting a “grown and sexy” aesthetic, Changes reinforces the strength of Justin’s prose, production, and voice.
Espacio Dios, “Jabulani”
The South African Space God is back with an upbeat, confident, and energy loaded single. “Jabulani,” is the story of a supportive loved one who succumbed to death too soon to see Espacio Dios’s success. Maintaining the soundscape fans know and love Espacio for, “Jabulani” both mourns the loss and celebrates the life of the fallen, as well as elicits to the world that Espacio has no fear to continue pursuing his dream. The song feels good, not in the way you play a pop song on a road trip, but in the way that the perfect song during a film montage makes the scene feel good. There’s no indication that Espacio Dios is going to debut an album this year, but for those who have been starved for new music, “Jabulani” will be a welcomed drop!
Kehlani, “Konklusions”
You may have thought YG’s carelessness in front of an LA nightclub was the end of the road for this couple, but they’ve come out beautiful and proud with their musical duet, “Konclusions.” YG’s flow is reminscent of 50 Cent’s “21 Questions” with the way he opens the song with questions around the seriousness of a relationship. Granted, this allusion is momentary. For the rest of the single, he describes the style of relationship he intends to have and the type of lover he is, meanwhile Kehlani brings her style of song to the chorus with lyrics that reaffirm her as a “ride or die.” Whether or not you ship the two as romantic partners, as musical collaborators, the wordplay and vocal delivery between the two make them a strong duet.
pH Raw X, SENSE EXPERIENCE & EKEYOTO
Instead of a single about love, pH Raw X presents a project with a few themes including love on this auspicious occasion! SENSE EXPERIENCE & EKEYOTO bears 14-tracks with features from Ootz the Afronaut, Sho Madozi, Una Rams, Berita, Ricco, J Molley, and Riky Rick. All of whom haven’t released full bodies of work in a while, making their contributions even more welcomed by their fans. pH’s album is a clear genre-bend, with pop, classic hip-hop, trap, and R&B soundscapes. There is positive flow throughout the project, from the spoken word that opens the album, to the occasional anecdotal interludes between tracks, this is a 14-track work of skill and musical aptitude. SENSE EXPERIENCE & EKEYOTO is the producer/rapper’s third studio project and it goes up!
Tink, Hopeless Romantic
Newly independent singer, Tink’s Hopeless Romantic is a musical “I love you.” Formerly signed to Timbaland’s label Mosely Music Group, they formally parted ways in 2018. Since then, she dropped Voicemails, making her 2020 release her second project since parting ways with the man revered as a production god. This project leans towards R&B and soul, with themes around being in love, sometimes poorly required, but more above all else, being okay without love. Tink’s style of R&B isn’t soulful in the way of church choirs, instead, she sounds alluring with and relatable. Sad in love, sad out of love, but aware of one’s own beauty and strength, those are the words to best describe her listener.
