RAF Camora and Liam Payne
As most of you know, I haven't been posting as frequently as I normally do. But I wanted to thank everyone who has stuck with this blog for as long as you have, and welcome all those who are new! I realized that we have made it to the close of five years, and have started the sixth year of this blog. It is crazy to imagine that five years ago I published my first post. And I am really proud of how far the blog has come along! I've even happier that I've been able to share so much music with so many of you readers, and am really grateful that you all have joined me on this ride!
And now to the music at hand. I was recently introduced to an Austrian rapper by the name RAF Camora. I was immediately hooked to the song within the first few bars. The production of the track is phenomenal, and though I don't understand the lyrics, I do appreciate the lyrical style and rhythm. Stylistically, RAF Camora enters creates a soundscape that is starting to become popular within the rap world. Afro beats seem to be taking off everywhere and with different kinds of rappers, but it's a sound which works really well.
One of the reasons I like Afrobeats, is because the sound is a very difficult one to master and work with. Much of the music created with African/Caribbean style sounds, is done with a lot of offbeats. This can make layering other instruments and finding a rhythmic flow pretty difficult. But RAF Camora navigates his way through the complex rhythms and syncopation with so much ease. It feels like a natural pace for him, giving the track a more laid back vibe and energy. That effortless feel also comes from the soothing tropical instrumentation we get in the background. The song opens up with a nice guitar melody before settling on top of a deep and syncopated bass line. Now I'd like to point out that the bass line on this track isn't heavy. We don't ever step into the trap side of Afrobeats, which is just the way this track needed to be. The layered instruments and melodies work in way to create a lively and vivacious sound, not intense nor intimidating.
It seems like the guitar serves as the most prominent source of melody aside from RAF Camora's rhymes. It sits on the highest layer and is the most heard instrument on the track. But if we start to peel back some of those sounds, we also get to hear some drums, keyboards, and the aforementioned bass line. Something I thought was really cool, is the way RAF Camora added reggaeton to the track. The drums we hear (snare perhaps?) start banging out a solid reggaeton rhythm and when coupled with the guitar, blend into a tropical soundscape. When taking a look at songs like "Unforgettable," this track falls right into that category. We get this mix of dancehall and pop rap, with a bit of swagger thrown in there as well. The song is not overly complex and distracted, nor does it fall short of the musical mark. The musical implementation of RAF Camora's ideas are pretty spectacular on this track. The way he is able to weave his lyrics into the off beats and the pleasing guitar melody is absolutely incredible. The precision in production is perfectly executed to give us a song that is a cool beach jam.
Today's instrumental song is by the former One Directioner, Liam Payne. Now the reason I have chosen this song is because the bass line between the two tracks is very similar. What I really love is how both artists have used such similar bass lines in completely different ways. Liam Payne goes for the sexier, R&B style pop in this case. And it does work really well! The song is a bit of a banger, and has made a steady ascent through the charts.
One of the reasons I like Afrobeats, is because the sound is a very difficult one to master and work with. Much of the music created with African/Caribbean style sounds, is done with a lot of offbeats. This can make layering other instruments and finding a rhythmic flow pretty difficult. But RAF Camora navigates his way through the complex rhythms and syncopation with so much ease. It feels like a natural pace for him, giving the track a more laid back vibe and energy. That effortless feel also comes from the soothing tropical instrumentation we get in the background. The song opens up with a nice guitar melody before settling on top of a deep and syncopated bass line. Now I'd like to point out that the bass line on this track isn't heavy. We don't ever step into the trap side of Afrobeats, which is just the way this track needed to be. The layered instruments and melodies work in way to create a lively and vivacious sound, not intense nor intimidating.
It seems like the guitar serves as the most prominent source of melody aside from RAF Camora's rhymes. It sits on the highest layer and is the most heard instrument on the track. But if we start to peel back some of those sounds, we also get to hear some drums, keyboards, and the aforementioned bass line. Something I thought was really cool, is the way RAF Camora added reggaeton to the track. The drums we hear (snare perhaps?) start banging out a solid reggaeton rhythm and when coupled with the guitar, blend into a tropical soundscape. When taking a look at songs like "Unforgettable," this track falls right into that category. We get this mix of dancehall and pop rap, with a bit of swagger thrown in there as well. The song is not overly complex and distracted, nor does it fall short of the musical mark. The musical implementation of RAF Camora's ideas are pretty spectacular on this track. The way he is able to weave his lyrics into the off beats and the pleasing guitar melody is absolutely incredible. The precision in production is perfectly executed to give us a song that is a cool beach jam.
Today's instrumental song is by the former One Directioner, Liam Payne. Now the reason I have chosen this song is because the bass line between the two tracks is very similar. What I really love is how both artists have used such similar bass lines in completely different ways. Liam Payne goes for the sexier, R&B style pop in this case. And it does work really well! The song is a bit of a banger, and has made a steady ascent through the charts.
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