By | Aniyah Davies
In 2023, we will have a variety of music: Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz, Trap, Drill, Alternative R&B, Alternative Rap, and so many more genres and aspects of production in between. However, in college, as we navigate love and relationships the most genres that people in the young adult age bracket listen to is music that falls within these categories but also music that talks a lot about their experiences with relationships, which is why there is such a love for artists like Future, Brent Faiyaz, Sza, Summer Walker, etc. Those artists don’t just talk about their romantic life but their experiences with romantic relationships are an ode to the way we as young adults navigate love. In the spirit of navigating love, there is an artist that is the romance that we crave from Brent Faiyaz and the smooth voice of Bryson Tiller- he is Chase Shakur.
Chase Shakur started his music career in 2015, in high school. He started out doing rap, but soon transitioned to alternative R&B in 2017 and has been making music ever since. Some songs that he produced early on are located on his SoundCloud, but as he’s matured and grown his fan base as an artist, his most current music has made the biggest impact. In 2022, he produced his first EP, “It’ll Be Fine”, with singles Pray Slow, Want Me, Comes With the Damage, and Too Far Close. The entire EP encompasses his current journey with romantic relationships and the internal conflict that he has with wanting to be with someone and it not working. Many artists take that approach within their music, but the difference with his sound is that the production within his music is soothing, illustrious, and has a 90’s love feeling that makes you want to take a drive with the windows down and take a deep breath. In his music, he samples a lot of his own music and the album is cohesive with its transitions and emotion.
The songs on the album that are more suited for a party or group setting are Want Me, Pray Slow, Too Far Close, Comes With the Damage, and Honda Civic ‘98. Then, the songs that are more emotional and intimate (songs that are better to listen to alone) are: “I Don’t Wann Fall In Love, It’s Too Late Now”, “Hold You Down, When It Rains”, “What U Need (Angelica’s Place)”, and “ You Need an Angel”. With that in mind, the top three songs on the album are:
1. Too Far Close
This is one of the best songs on the album because of its smooth vibe, the visuals for the song are amazing, and the chorus is catchy. The story behind the song is Shakur talking about his chemistry with his partner and the quality time that they spend together. Because he’s using lines like, “let me at least show you off” and “know that it don't seem like I care, but you know I care”- it makes listeners feel more connected to what he’s saying. Another aspect of the song that is captivating is his cadence in the song. At some points, he’s singing and going with the flow of the melody, but at other points, he’s switching his cadence and it sounds like he’s talking and not singing. In the visuals for the song, there are scenes of him singing in a field and in a room singing. The visuals are essential to the song because they put more emphasis on his love interest and allow listeners to understand the somber persona that he’s trying to portray.
2. Honda Civic ‘98
Honda Civic ‘98 is another song on the album that is good because of its production. The song starts with a sample of another song off his album, “Hold You Down, When It Rains”. This makes the song start slow and smooth but transitions into this rap beat where he’s singing about how he’s feeling with his partner. There are two melodic intermissions in the song and it helps listeners feel the vibe and hear the instruments clearly. The hook in the song is also really catchy and matches the beat perfectly.
3. You Need an Angel
This is the last song on the album and probably the most influential because the way it’s sung is like a diary entry or he’s talking to his partner directly. It’s a song about love and yearning. Like it’s saying: I overthink about you all the time and even change myself constantly to make myself fit your mold. Yet, you won’t notice me and therefore I'm praying above that there will be someone that can make me as happy as you did. This song makes a commentary about young relationships, stating that we're trying so hard to understand ourselves and grow that when we get involved with someone else it causes us to change our course because we are not sure of ourselves. We want to be on someone else's course and fit someone else's mold to be enough. These experiences are blissful and we’ll remember them forever but they do cause us a lot of pain and confusion.
4. Honorable Mention | Want Me
In this song, Shakur samples the song I Don’t Mind by Immature. The sample adds so much to the song and the chorus is so smooth.
Even though those are the high points of his project, Shakur’s EP (as a whole) is an ode to relationships and the project is amazing for a party or time with friends. Also, besides the EP, Shakur has made more singles and collaborated with other artists. In 2021, he produced a single called Language and the single is sensual and highlights his vocals in the best way. Then, in 2020 he collaborated with Aloe Fm and Matt Culture. Shakur is truly an artist to be on the lookout for as he continues to grow and develop his sound.
Check out the music here: Chase Shakur on Apple Music.
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