It’s been two years since we’ve heard a new Raz Simone album. Now he’s back with an eight-track project titled, Closer.
The first time that I ever heard Raz was the spring of 2011 when he released his video for “Ugly People” under the moniker Razpy. I was immediately hooked on his rough around the edges poetry.
Raz Simone – Ugly People
Like most artists, Raz has gone through phases of musical identity. His exploration of the trap genre was questionable to me at first. At the start of the trap wave, I wasn’t a fan. A lot of mainstream releases were repetitive and easily could have been composed by a child.
Even though I’m not a huge fan of super trappy music, I don’t think Raz ever fully succumbed to the genre. Ultimately I think Simone’s journey through the trap influenced a creative switch in him that made it possible to engage a larger audience.
Closer is a blend of what I first came to love about Raz’s music and what the mainstream hip-hop fans are listening to. It’s still incredibly raw, gritty and passionate. Yet, he has put his spin on the popular catchy cadences and beat styles that the average listener enjoys in this era of hip-hop.
Raz Simone – Closer
In anticipation for the album, Raz had released “Rare” and “When I Style on My Enemies” as singles. The latter being my least favorite song on the entire album. By no means is it a bad song, just the way he says style sounds like a sheep. Which leads me to imagine Raz rapping dressed like Dave Chappelle when he was daydreaming about being the black sheep. I’m laughing just typing that thought out.
Raz had also given us two stunning music videos in preparation for this album. “Clout” has to be my favorite song on the project. But the wanderlust brought on from his video for “Jose” has me jonesing for a vacation. With the release of his album, Simone released another music video for us featuring Jay Park, “Outta Bounds.”
Raz Simone – Outta Bounds feat. Jay Park
I think Raz balanced the dark realities of his life beautifully through his poetic verses and use of classical instruments. Saint Claire’s violin, in particular, amplifies and elevates the somber tones throughout the album. On the other hand, there is plenty of that ‘I don’t give a fuck’ attitude that Simone is known for and that millennials love.
The song “Dipped In Butter” is one I can see as the anthem for the youth of today. “I had to get up out the crib like where the guap at // I missed hella joogs cause I couldn’t walk yet.” The theme of the youth of today is all about the hustle, rise and grind day in and day out.
Opinions and preferences can be debated forever. But at the end of the day playability is a large part of how successful a project is. As a testament to its appeal, I’ve had this new Raz Simone album on repeat for the past six hours and every spin it gets a little better.
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