By Vai Thomas & Staff
Perhaps no one has described the essence of hip-hop music as unequivocally as Nas when he said, "Hip-hop is the streets. Hip-hop is a combination of elements that originate from the past... It has a sense of urgency, music that speaks to you. It speaks to your life, and it's uncompromising. It's straightforward. It's raw, straight from the streets - from the beat to the voice to the lyrics." The genre's unique aura establishes an almost instant connection with its listeners, regardless of their background. It is not an overstatement to say that all the aforementioned traits, and more, are abundantly present in rising artist Jerard Rice's captivating contemporary hip-hop/rap track, 'Starz'.
In the key of B minor and performed over a three-chord progression, the instrumentation of 'Starz' is heavily driven by synths. This fact is immediately emphasized and established by the opening motif's ambient vibrato plucks, which render the 3-4-1 progression. The instrumentation dynamically evolves by incorporating low-end frequencies and an incredibly well-rounded kick sound, which is crucial for a mainstream hip-hop track.
Lyrically focused on perception versus reality, and external validation versus self-love, and interspersed with afrobeat rhythms and a superbly clean-sounding snare, 'Starz' possesses all the essential ingredients needed for a chart-topping hit: an attention-grabbing hook and chorus melody, skillfully engineered mixing, highly relevant lyrical themes, and the pivotal element of exceptionally versatile vocals capable of melodic and spoken word rap.
In this regard, Rice delivers a magnificent performance. His soul-stirring, down-to-earth vocals, infused with reverb, effortlessly transition between the melodic rap of the chorus and the spoken word verses. His delivery of lyrics like "Never lose yourself, never lose sight, even in the dark let your light shine bright" (delivered without low-end frequencies but propelled by afrobeat rhythms) has a way of ingraining itself into the listener's memory. Rice's vocal timbre is crisp and lively, effortlessly switching between exuberance and contemplation, while the instrumentation adeptly supports the dynamic shifts in tandem with the lyrics.
In his pursuit to develop a unique sound for his audience, Rice eschews conventional techniques and instrumentation, such as the ubiquitous 808s, instead relying on creativity and elements that are sharp, profound, and encapsulate the feeling of being immersed in the vastness of space. These creative choices have undeniably paid off! Perhaps it is this quality that lends 'Starz' an anthemic yet hypnotic appeal that can be enjoyed by listeners both in solitude and in a crowd.
With a duration of two minutes and fifty-two seconds, the radio edit of 'Starz' is a definite winner from start to finish. It is hardly surprising to find oneself subconsciously humming the chorus melody of this captivating track, which is a wonderful addition to the hip-hop genre's repertoire. Rice is a bonafide artist to watch.
About Rice
Jerard Rice, widely known by his artistic moniker Rice, is an exceptional rising star whose musical prowess seamlessly merges the realms of hip-hop, pop, and world music. Renowned for his multifaceted talents as an entrepreneur, artist, songwriter, and philanthropist, Rice wholeheartedly embraces music as a transformative force for education, empowerment, and fostering empathy.
As the proud co-founder of Hustle Work Grind Records and the esteemed proprietor of Hustle Work Grind Entertainment, Rice epitomizes the belief in the profound impact music can have on society. With an unwavering commitment to creating a positive influence on the world, Rice endeavors to leverage his craft to uplift and inspire.
Within his impressive discography, one can find standout tracks such as "Bet On It," "Big Dreams Rice," and "No Brady," all of which have garnered acclaim and have been featured on the prestigious Independent No. 1's Volume 12 Compilation Album, produced by the illustrious Oliver Sean. Each composition from Rice delves deep into various phases and profound experiences from his personal journey, imbuing his music with a refreshing and soul-stirring perspective that resonates profoundly with his devoted listeners.
For the latest updates on Rice's newest releases and to establish a meaningful connection with this exceptional artist, we invite you to visit his official website at www.riceofficialmusic.com.
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