All About the West Coast
Oh, the West Coast. It’s all about the American Dream, nostalgia, the heat, and beaches. What more could you ask for?
Music-wise, when you think about that part of the US, you cannot ignore the influence of pioneers such as Tupac Shakur or Ice-T. California represents a particular sound, different from anywhere else in the States.
Rap is a big part of the West Coast. It has a particular sound and a way of telling stories. Rhythm and references are fundamental in this music genre. Rappers are, therefore, great storytellers and have excellent knowledge of popular culture. They are brilliant artists who know poetry better than anyone.
I am moving on to my point. How can an album combine all the ingredients to make a hell of a recipe? It’s easy: bring talented artists together under one roof and make the project soulful.
It needs to come from your heart. That’s why Jay Worthy and DāM FunK’s new project is breathtaking. Released on July 12, the album Magic Hour is nothing short of magical.
Bringing friends together, the artists are having fun on this one. People enjoyed themselves making this album.
Magic is a recurring theme this summer. Even Eminem is throwing himself into the magic universe with his new song, Houdini, in honor of the late Harry Houdini. Magic is a coping mechanism for dealing with the terrible things happening in America.
By that, I mean that there is a president who clearly isn’t apt to do the job anymore, and a horrific shooting last weekend that almost cost the life of former President Trump. The country is more polarized than ever, so why not use magic as an explanation to escape reality? Or to try to embellish reality?
Magic Hour is about the love of the past and a vision for the future.
Like others, Jay Worthy and DāM FunK had the help of multiple artists. The album of 16 songs is 39 minutes. As you might have guessed, it includes shorter songs, giving the whole project more spice.
The rapper Jay Worthy has a particular chemistry and bond with his friend, which shows.
I’ve heard critics say that the album is a victory lap. It sure is the opposite of a funeral. It’s the go-to music to listen to before a boxing match or an important meeting. Olympic athletes need to listen to Rich Today before representing their respective countries.
That third song is a pump-up jam that hits the mark with Leven Kali’s beautiful R&B voice during the hook. The video clip also uses AI to produce unexpected shots.
According to reports, putting all the album puzzle pieces together took a while. I was talking about the West Coast earlier, the sunny state where it never rains. Westside is a song about that, alluding to the hills and the joy of driving a convertible.
Not only does it have a rap aspect, obviously, but it is also funky. The entire project is smooth and balanced, allowing the artists’ magic to shine. It’s a soothing experience for rap lovers.
What I love about the project is that it isn’t too aggressive. It’s a refreshing rap album that could’ve come up in another decade. Can’t Do That is one of my favorites. The two guys crafted the beats carefully. Nothing in the tracks was left unnoticed.
Does it also make you want to drive to the ocean right now and leave everything behind? That’s normal. You want to experience freedom.
The beat on every track is unique. The artists conducted lots of experiments but in a good way. It’s the result that counts. And the final product is surreal. A more emotional song like Heartstop featuring Channel Tres isn’t out of place. It fits right in the mix. Watch Your Tone and Can’t Fade The Funk (the album’s last song) are also groovy and catchy.
All around, the guys are in a class of their own, untouchable from start to finish.
It’s all about positivity, overcoming hurdles, and having a blast. With its West Coast vibe, this album is a celebration of life and a testament to the joy of music.
Enjoy this album without interruption.
