R&BULLY: KANE WAVE FINDS BALANCE WITH “DON’T DRINK THE WATER”
Kane Wave’s eccentric, high-octane 2018 debut Hoodstar was an interesting moment for modern Buffalo Hip-Hop. Bringing the grungy, left-of-underground sound to the city’s forefront, the dynamic rapper’s boldness as an artist has helped him build and refine his music into what it is today - a boundary-less space of thundering 808s, audacious lyricism and pocket croons - or what he likes to call “R&Bully.” The rising artist’s dark aesthetic married with Street Rap and R&B has been on a long, creative journey. But his most recent offering finds a gentler meeting of the 2 genres.
There’s a handful of reasons why Wave’s Don’t Drink The Water sounds grand. For one, we’ve been on this journey with him. Since Hoodstar, the enigmatic singer/songwriter/rapper has experimented with almost every genre. From the soulful ballads on Selfloveclub to steamy, trap-flavored tracks on One Of A Kind to the confessional, rage-induced loose singles throughout his discography, Kane Wave doesn’t hold back when he’s creating - and he’s had impressive execution so far.
Since the last time we spoke with him on the heels of his 2020 R&B record Loverboi release, Wave was fully encompassed in his “Loverboi” persona. Leading with confessional raps and entrenched in his spur-of-the-moment harmonies, the softer side of his sound took center stage - but it didn’t last long before he switched it up ( Cue “Home For Christmas” - a new-gen, novelty, holiday single that dropped late last year). If there’s one thing that we can bet on Kane Wave is that he is unpredictable, and that’s what makes him exciting.
So what stands out on Don’t Drink The Water? Balance. It’s the underlying Midas touch of being a versatile artist. Kane Wave’s gift to fluidly flow between R&B and Rap is in its genius on DDTW, and it doesn’t feel forced. Wave’s rough edges are smoothed out on tracks like “Syndicated Business,” “Got What I Came For,” and “Off Right Now.” He takes the minimal route with great care; his sonics are atmospheric, smooth, and introspective. “Got What I Came For,” is a major standout not only for the impressive features by fellow vocalists Jaymarr and Nelle’, but how well they bounce off of each other. The production value is pristine from the adlibs to the arrangements.
Even as he dials up the energy towards the end of the project, he doesn’t lose the soulful melodies and R&B elements on his more crass tracks. “Slimeball,” “Screws Loose,” “Badnews,” and “Meet Me In Miami” is Kane Wave in his element. Energetic and no-holds-barred is what his listeners love and he delivers. “Slimeball” is an instant turn-up track with thumping percussion and an infectious synth where Kane Wave and K-Pi$tol go back and forth about “trying to get paid,” while “Meet Me In Miami” is a winner’s circle anthem. With calculated bravado and an 80s-inspired groove, Kane Wave finds himself deep in his bag touching on all the parts of being a cocky bachelor. DDTW is such a well-rounded view of Kane Wave’s abilities, it’s not surprising he made his own genre.
JAY AQUARIOUS TALKS NEW EP “THE GREAT VINE”
“This whole project happened by accident. It was not intentional at all.”
In the midst of working on 3 projects simultaneously, avant-garde singer Jay Aquarious pivoted his sound after a chance music session with rising producer AIRXKING. Both artists, with instant musical chemistry and open to experimenting, began working together on a sonic smorgasbord of “left of” sounds. From hip-hop to pop to house, the duo took an intimate, unique approach to create the collaborative effort that is THE GREAT VINE - ushering in a new side of Aquarious and a fresh introduction to AIRXKING as a beatmaker.
The 6-track project is a continuation of Aquarious’s pop-appeal, accentuated by AIRXKING’s textured production. Across the work, you can expect to hear Aquarious’s walk seamlessly through his signature sultry, bedroom pop, to catchy, narrative-driven hip-hop that ultimately works to introduce the entertainer’s anti-persona, Daymian Dabb - a name and personality that has been in the backseat of the singer’s career since high school.
“When I first decided to do music, I was a rapper. I wasn’t a singer...I was writing raps and I would write hooks for singers, but I wasn’t really confident as a rapper.”
Discouraged to rap early on, the talented songwriter moved to sing but received the opportunity to rap on a fellow artist’s song when he started working on the project. When the feature fell through, Aquarious kept the verse and let AIRXKING customize a beat for the most dynamic track on the EP, “Daymian Dabb.” With more confidence in his gift as a lyricist, the singer-rapper embraced the song, included a special appearance by local rhymer Son Scotty and decided to add to the EP.
“I just feel like getting in my bag for Daymian Dabb. I felt like this is the moment to bring that song and character to the forefront because again I came up with him in high school and left him alone for a very long time.”
With rumbling chimes, and an infectious kick drum led offering, Aquarious is everything but humble. Rapping about his unwavering motivation and strutting his sexual prowess with an extra dose of bravado, Aquarious lets out all of his frustrations and ego-driven thoughts with Dabb, tastefully, but it’s only after he gives us his sensual side.
The first single and 2nd track on the EP titled “Love High” finds the crooner in his element- heartfelt, intimate, and indulgent. Oozy piano chords set the scene for a never-ending groove of harmonious background vocals and soft percussion. Operating in his power as an enigmatic singer-songwriter, Aquarious questions the boundary of love and lust with a lost lover. From fantasizing about the idea of rekindling, he moves into another familiar-sounding track titled “Dreamatic.” Inspired by one of his earlier songs titled “Naked,” Aquarious created the third track as a sequel to his transparent, honest, and spiritual sound- A feat that AIRXKING took on graciously.
Expressing AIRXKING’s interest to make music together after their initial music session, Aquarious efforts with THE GREAT VINE pose as a tribute to power and solidify his talent as a collaborator. Taking inspiration from Janet Jackson to Lil Kim to Left Eye, Aquarious’s artistry and versatility opens up a little more. Every track on the EP is a standout - The Plax featured -“Pay A Bill” is not far removed from the blunt, boastiness of Daymian Dabb, the “Fill My Heart” remix is breathy and sexy along with the Lil Dame-assisted intro track, preparing you for the multifacetedness of Aquarious; Bold, sharp, and full frontal.
“With this project, I want my listeners to understand influence is power. Like that’s power. To be able to inspire somebody to do something different is literally a lot of power.”
A.I. THE ANOMALY RELEASES “BONNETS & BANTUS”
“Can I paint?” is what Buffalo-based rhymer A.I. The Anomaly says before the simmering breakdown on her new single, “Bonnet & Bantus.” It’s been a while since we’ve heard that same line. Before, it was on her blowout single “Eastside” in 2019; It’s very fitting here too. The faith-based femcee touts the same high energy and her out-of-the-box lyrical prowess on the Carolinah Blu-produced mid-tempo track where she unravels another layer of her womanhood.
With artistic ease, A.I. touches on grind culture, goals, and staying focused. Connecting the prep of black hair care ( Bonnets protect hair and Bantus preserve the state of the hair) with the mindfulness needed to hustle makes the single an instant motivational anthem she hopes will positively impact her listeners.
“As a woman and an entrepreneur who loves hip-hop, I wanted to be encouraged by what I’m listening to so I wanted to create something that would encourage myself,” she explained. “Also motivate those who move like me, those who are in similar spaces. I also wanted to create something that I could share with my daughter… I’m really trying to uplift women, uplift people in general, no matter where you come from you can do something. You can create the world that you want to create for yourself.”
Adorned with textured sounds from oozing synths to trap-flavored drums - a premier sound profile from the dream team that is Blu and A.I., the song ultimately pushes the message of self-love, personal growth, and determination. Particularly after the bridge, A.I gets more transparent - it almost sounds like she’s speaking directly to her daughter or maybe to her younger self. Lyrics like “Look into my eyes until I find you little girl/ Lost on a road I will find you little girl… No matter where you come from grow something, little girl,” finds the Christian rhymer at one of the most introspective points in the song - and discography so far. For us, this deeply emotional and climatic masterpiece is more proof that the staple lyricist’s creativity has no bounds. Listen to the new song below!
JAY AQUARIOUS’s “DREAM REALITY” ALBUM REVIEW
Singer/songwriter Jay Aquarious has always been one to push boundaries. When we interviewed him shortly after the release of his first major project Naked in 2021, the performer was in a process of embracing and solidifying his musical style and image as a genre-bending pop artist, but his most recent offering Dream Reality digs deeper, pushing his non-conforming, larger-than-life sound to the max.
“When making this project, I really wanted to create something more scenic, more atmospheric yet futuristic, intergalactic and spiritual,” Aquarious shared.
The sultry r&b elements and hip-hop influence of Naked are completely replaced with heavy techno synths, thick organ melodies and touches of autotune on Dream Reality - a daring and exciting change that ultimately adds a new dimension to the artist’s sonic capabilities.
The second track, which shares the same name as the album, sets the stage; With whispering synths and simmering hi-hats, Jay Aquarious sings into a crescendo about manifesting his reality, and finding beauty in moments, before the song crashes into a beefy instrumentation of layered pianos with a blazing falsetto by Aquarious at the end. In layman's terms, it's a dance-oriented groove, intricately made in a way that still captures Jay’s soulful pop style.
“I want people to see I'm willing to play with more than one type of genre,” Jay Aquarious added, “even possibly something genreless.”
Tracks like “Laid Back, Sunny Day” and “Personal Savior” were also out of the scope of the artist’s traditional sound. In both songs, we find Jay in his higher register vocally. Consistent collaborator and rapper Ethan the Clever who worked on select tracks with Jay can be heard echoing the lyrics in tenor on “Laid Back, Sunny Day.” The minimalist, light feel of “Laid Back, Sunny Day” is in direct contrast to the grand, emotive sounds of “Personal Savior” which outlines the thrust of an intense romantic relationship.
“Personal Savior” is the first beat [that was] produced for me and the first spiritual song I ever wrote,” Jay Aquarious explained. “It was supposed to be about a guy, but it was too gospel for that, and I was in a gospel phase. This was one of the most challenging ones to write next to “Laid back, Sunny Day.” I asked Ethan The Clever to help me write the verses on that one - that was my first time letting someone do that. He did so good and sounded so good demonstrating it that I had to make it a duet and put him on it. He’s a great writer and I love his singing voice.
Even in the experimentation and collaborative effort of Dream Reality, it is quite clear Jay Aquarious' knack for creating grooves and songwriting to them is his strong suit. Tracks like “Strobe Lights” and “Immortal Love” are closer to his sweet spot - upbeat instrumentation, an infectious chorus, and a satisfying bridge or breakdown. More specifically the B.O.B and Rick James samples on “Immortal Love” adds dimension to the chorus and gives a gentle nod to Buffalo.
“I looked to my parents for that record and wrote about me and them, and learned not to be anyone’s fool. Ethan almost helped me with that one too, but I decided to tackle it on my own again and finally got what I wanted,” Jay Aquarious concluded about “Immortal Love.”
Overall, Jay Aquarious’s sophomore project is a colorful display of his musical range. From the soulful pop fierceness of Naked to the otherworldly electronic ballads on Dream Reality, Aquarious’s skill of songwriting and song structure stands through and is very uniquely and enjoyably his brand. Listen to the project exclusively on Soundcloud.
FOLLOW JAY AQUARIOUS ON INSTAGRAM : @JAYAQUARIOUS
BIG STEEZE IS PUTTING ON FOR NIAGARA FALLS
During the summer of 2022, rapper Big Steeze released a highly anticipated 7- track project called Face Of My City. Featuring an impressive roster of rising rappers and producers ( Quisi La Flare, Go Hard Kiss, 96_ Garden$, etc.) from what we call “The Falls,” Big Steeze was front and center flexing his rhymes, larger-than-life style, and spreading an underlying message that Niagara Falls has talent. Untapped and underrated, Big Steeze hopes his ascension will shine a light on a city that not only holds one of the 7 wonders of the world but a community of fiercely talented artists paving their own way in an overlooked city. The rapper, who has had an impressive rise this year himself - opening up for artists like Dave East, Jay Critch, Benny the Butcher and touring with Conway The Machine, sat with us in October to talk about the Face Of My City project, Niagara Falls’ hip-hop scene and what the future hold for his career.
Watch Below and listen to Big Steeze on the #BUFFACOLD 2022 Playlist Here
Follow Big Steeze on IG: @im_steeze