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Hit-Boy Narrates How He was Introduced to Nas Through Frank Ocean: A Story Revealed

Hit-Boy Narrates How He was Introduced to Nas Through Frank Ocean: A Story Revealed

Nas and Hit-Boy’s recent partnership has been legendary in the hip-hop industry. In just four years, they have released six albums, with three from the King’s Disease series and three from the Magic series. Their abundant production has received universal praise, especially the featured appearances by 50 Cent and Lil Wayne on Magic 2 and Magic 3.

In a recent interview with Rap Radar, Hit-Boy revealed the surprising origins of this fruitful partnership. According to the producer, he was introduced to Nas by none other than Frank Ocean. The introduction happened back in 2013 when Hit-Boy was working on a demo with Ocean.

“We met originally in like 2013. I did a demo with Frank Ocean and Frank Ocean played it for Nas. Me and Frank had a session of our own, we were just working on music and he did a hook he was like ‘yo I’m about to go work with Nas. I wanna play this hook for him.’ He played it and Nas was rocking with it,” Hit-Boy explained.

Eventually, the track transformed into “Royalty” from Nas’ Lost Tapes 2, but only Frank’s lyrics were kept in the final version.

In a post on Instagram last month, Hit-Boy further discussed his long-held desire to collaborate with Nas. He shared a note from his phone dated September 11th, 2011, where he expressed his wish to produce a Rihanna single and just three songs on a Nas album.

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“Fast forward 12 years later and i’m 6 ALBUMS in with the God himself wow. How did we get here?!!,” Hit-Boy wrote.

The story of how Frank Ocean connected Hit-Boy and Nas is a testament to the power of networking and collaboration in the music industry. It also highlights the role of serendipity in shaping the course of music history.

As fans, we can only marvel at the string of albums that this introduction has produced and look forward to more collaborations from these talented artists in the future.

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Artist Spotlight

Lexi Berg stirs a soulful splash of intimacy with her recent single, “In So Deep”

Lexi Berg

A rare phenomenon exists within the music industry wherein a composition manifests as genuinely enchanting. Lexi Berg, originating from Stockholm and influenced by her distinctive upbringing on a houseboat, delivers an exemplary representation of such craftsmanship through her latest single, “In So Deep.” This Swedish-American singer-songwriter is noted for her hauntingly raspy vocal quality and her capacity for intricate poetic storytelling. Lexi envelops her audience in a cinematic experience, wherein the act of falling in love resembles a leap from an emotional precipice, infused with an atmosphere of warm sincerity, reminiscing about someone who once made you feel alive.

Co-written and produced by the accomplished Jim Eliot, a veteran producer with an impressive portfolio and collaborations with renowned artists such as Ellie Goulding and Kylie Minogue, “In So Deep” was meticulously crafted in the tranquil hills of Wales. The composition captures a sense of airy tranquility, blending sun-drenched sonic nostalgia from the classic 70s piano with heartfelt folk influences and the irresistible shimmer of Swedish pop. This results in a sonorous palette that envelops listeners in a comforting embrace.

Lexi Berg’s lyrics create vivid imagery, portraying scenarios that include hands submerged beneath water, laughter echoing through canyon walls, and hearts racing with each fleeting glance. These intimate vignettes embody the essence of daydreaming, further enriched by her raw, rich vocals, which glide seamlessly over luminous piano melodies complemented by subtle Americana nuances. It evokes the joy inherent in sharing moments with another individual.

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The track’s distinctive nature lies in celebrating the little things, which carry her free-spirited roots in authenticity. The verses convey a gentle, confessional tone, while the chorus unleashes a dynamic catharsis that promotes audience engagement, particularly in open-air settings.

In a music landscape increasingly characterized by cacophony and overwhelming stimuli, “In So Deep” provides an elegant respite. It enables listeners to escape into a realm of love and ephemeral, golden moments infused with genuine emotion, articulating a connection that resonates on a profound level.

 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Lexi Berg’s In So Deep on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Lexi Berg | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook |

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Album Review

Jangus Kangus shatters melodic boundaries with her debut album “Fortune Cookie”

Jangus Kangus

Jangus Kangus, the intriguing musical force helmed by Jasmine Sankaran, has just cracked open her most audacious project to date, “Fortune Cookie,” an album that intricately weaves genre fluidity and emotional resonances. This collection of eight tracks serves as both a sonic manifesto and a significant milestone in contemporary indie-pop, characterized by unvarnished lyricism and engaging, jangly hooks.

The album commences with You Only Love Me When,” a seemingly serene acoustic-pop track that establishes the thematic groundwork for a narrative exploration of desires, internal conflicts, and acts of defiance. It poignantly laments love that manifests only through revealed strength, portraying love as a timeless entity, even when entangled with the vices of broken individuals intoxicated by addictive substances. After this introduction, Kangus transitions into the introspective Double Lives,” a shimmering soul-infused piece that methodically dissects the paradoxes inherent in love and the subdued anguish that frequently accompanies the double lives.

Progressing to No Future In This,” the album’s melancholic yet assertive dive into romantic realism presents bold lyrical insights. This sentiment escalates into the heartbreak elegy Our Love Is Dead,” here, rhythmic piano chords evoke a mournful grace that encapsulates the heaviness of lost love, distrust, and betrayal. The track underscores the necessity of relinquishing specific attachments to pivot away from unsafe circumstances, echoing the fortune teller’s chilling proclamation: our love is, indeed, dead. Then comes the wild card Janakita Kirakita,” an intoxicating burst of sonic dynamism and gleeful experimental composition that injects curiosity and electric charm into the auditory tapestry, boldly challenging convention with every note.

Listeners will find Goldilocks particularly captivating; this genre-defying number draws from stylistic influences reminiscent of St. Vincent and The Smiths, skillfully merging nostalgia with contemporary innovation. It conveys an urgent yearning to reclaim lost love during periods of solitude. The penultimate track, Honeymooners in Venice,” narrates a cinematic experience rich in post-modern nuances. Finally, the concluding piece, High Rise,” offers a deep plunge into Sankaran’s introspections, leaving a reverberating and haunting impact.

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Meticulously crafted with the dexterity of a seasoned lyricist and the fervor of a punk priestess, “Fortune Cookie” commands attention as a contemporary coming-of-age narrative rich with lo-fi grit and artistic ambition, all presented through a unique lens.

Featuring an outstanding lineup that highlights the intricate interplay of Steph Anderson on keys and backing vocals, Antonio White on lead guitar, Dan Perdomo on drums, and Ryan Kellis on bass, Jangus Kangus delivers a performance that harmonizes technical proficiency with emotional transcendence. The music constitutes a distinctive addition to diverse playlists, serving as an ideal backdrop for a heartbreak soundtrack or late-night contemplation, thereby ensuring its relevance and recurrence among discerning audiences.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Jangus Kangus’s Album Fortune Cookie on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Jangus Kangus | Instagram | Facebook |

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