“Run It Up” by “Lil Spade” is one of the amazing tracks that you are going to listen to after a long time. Alongside the rap edge and atmosphere is this featured vocal melody that really adds something fresh and alternative to the track. The vocal delivery in this case brings softness in a way, emotional honesty that works in unison with the rap lyrics and concept but also contrasts with it in the gentle performance style and the feelings so clearly displayed. All of this takes place in a creatively structured track that has been well thought out and well produced so as to give you the full throttle audio experience you’d be hoping for when seeking out fresh hip-hop.
The music builds and falls away in a very minimal manner, enough to keep things interesting. Each vocal part too, is well placed and appropriately expressed as these changes occur – though not so much so that the very essence of hip-hop and these overall vibes is lost. Far from it. The nostalgia is there for those who seek it, but everything else is new – the rap delivery, the lyricism, the vocal tone; the new sense of character is likely to appeal to any number of listeners. The opening soundscape is also a really enjoyable addition to the mix, creative and powerful, and very memorable. Well worth checking out.
The soundscape is not the first thing to emerge, the solo spoken word performance steps out into the spotlight initially. The language used, if it’s not your mother tongue, doesn’t disrupt the experience – the emotional intensity of the performance, the tone of voice, and the eerie atmospheric audio that follows, all lead your mind in a certain direction, and perhaps in a more powerful way than the simple portrayal of ideas via lyrics would.
The leading voice is captivating, and attention-grabbing. The haunting snippets of an additional voice behind it add even more to the energy of the performance. As the musical moments begin to emerge, the sounds bring in an extremely original fusion of the organic, tribal world, and the modern, futuristic, electronic one. However, the “Lil Spade” becomes something more of unity as the track progresses, and as is true with much of the artist’s work – the creativity appears impulsive, free from the constraints of genre or structure rules, and most definitely driven by a passion for the strange and the unpredictable.
The more you listen, the more the thread throughout the sound becomes clear. The music begins to feel familiar, true to a certain set of ideas, and always audibly experimental and interesting. The artist’s own interest in spirituality passes on to the listener through his music. The energy and vibe of the recordings create a certain atmosphere around you as you listen, and it’s most certainly a memorable experience.
