MC's Music Lounge: Will Steve Lacy's new album, Oh Yeah?, match the success of it's predecessor?

When music becomes disposable it loses its value in the minds of its consumers in ways that most people do not even realize. We’re a culture that’s obsessed with “what’s next” and pushing for the next best thing means musical projects can come and go without the masses even knowing about it. But Steve Lacy’s third studio album Oh Yeah? is showing that there is some real power in making people wait. He’s always been a not-so-mainstream artist, but after the major success of his 2022 single “Bad Habit”, he opened pandora’s box and a whole new set of ear drums are now hearing his sound. The four year wait between projects was risky, but it has resulted in a rich R&B recording complete with co-signs from some of the top names in the genre like Erykah Badu and SZA.

Before streaming and social media made music and the artists themselves so accessible, there was always intense anticipation for an artist’s next album era. Their work was the only way we could connect to them, and it resulted in a meaningful relationship with the art. Janet Jackson did this beautifully throughout the prime decades of her career, with most of her albums being released with a four year gap between them. When the music is good, the fans will still be there waiting for you. Janet wasn’t the only pop artist doing this. Christina Aguilera is also known for making her fans wait upwards of six years between projects. In her case, it slowed her momentum a little bit so it’s a fine line because the real risk of oversaturation is also present when you become a mainstream artist. You don’t want to lose your momentum and you don’t want people to get sick of you. So the questions is… where is that line? Steve Lacy’s run with “Bad Habit” and its parent album Gemini Rights put him in that category of potential oversaturation, and instead of following the herd of this generation of artists, he exercised the art of patience by flipping the script and taking it back to the old school days when you released an album if it felt right, not just to strike while the iron is hot. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, he admitted that the new record was actually ready for almost a year before he finally relented and released it. Time will tell whether the album will match the success of its predecessor, but quality wise, it’s safe to say that he created something he should be proud of.

Next week is a major one for music releases. We’re getting new albums from Charli xcx, Tyla, Shania Twain, and The Strokes. This week, it’s new music from Steve Lacy and Erykah Badu, Tinashe, Buju Banton, Mariah Carey remixed by Eric Kupper, and Rick Ross with Leon Thomas. Plus, our very own Queen Bey’s surprise romantic track from the vault keeps on growing in audience – as it should.

Listen on …

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“pure colour” by Steve Lacy, Erykah Badu

Steve has ranked Erykah as one of his greatest musical inspirations since the beginning of his music career. His sound has some of her classic neo-soul elements as well, but through a Gen Z lens. Steve, who is 28 years old, is the prime example of an older Gen Z with a connection to Millennial music tastes, although I’d argue that Erykah’s music transcends all age groups. “pure colour” is a laid-back song that gives the illusion of a meditative sound bath. It’s cinematic and psychedelic at the exact same time. It captures the feeling of grief and the emotional paralysis that it can put you in: “you’re the reflection in my mirror/can’t let you go take control of me”. Steve is aching for this person who is no longer in his life to take over his spirit and give him the feeling they once did when they were around. It’s a trip-hop song at its core, with Erykah’s verse adding another layer of hypnotism. Steve’s brand of psychedelic R&B picks up where an artist like Frank Ocean left off in 2016 and I just know that closeted teenage me would have been all over this.

“Crash Out” by Tinashe

Tinashe is listening to her fans because “Crash Out” is the full-length pop club banger that we have been wanting from her ever since she announced her new album Pop Star. This track is just as bouncy as the lead single “Too Easy” except with a lot more swag. Her aura is unmatched, you can feel it radiating out of your speakers when you play it; reminiscent of her 2019 music when she went by the moniker “’Nashe” except this feels even more elevated with a much bigger budget. That bigger budget comes from her new distribution deal with Atlantic Records, something that fans noticed upon the release of the single. Tinashe has been an independent artist since the late 2010s, and is still releasing music under her independent label, except this time around she’s got a major label behind her as well. Definitely a result of her back-to-back summer smashes “Nasty” and “No Broke Boys”. It’s a good time to be Tinashe, and an even better time for the fans.

“House Call” by Buju Banton

Buju first premiered “House Call” during a live performance recording with A COLORS SHOW in mid-June. The live version has been available for a few weeks, but now we get the mixed and mastered recording which will feature on his upcoming album Too Too Bad. The track comes just as carnival season hits North America – I know in Toronto this will be bumping at many Caribana festivities. Buju, an icon in his own right, puts his signature passion into the track and creates a vibe perfect for summer, rum, and a whole lot of winding and grinding. The man has been releasing albums since 1992, so he certainly knows how to keep his audience gripped with his sound. I didn’t grow up with dancehall music per se although I did learn who Lady Saw and Bounty Hunter were at a very young age thanks to No Doubt’s Rock Steady record. In my older years, I’ve been lucky enough to be exposed to the genre’s greatness through very close friends and Buju has always been something of a cherished treasure in that world. His music reminds me of someone very special too which adds to my own personal experience. “House Call” is another quality entry in a discography that has had people drinking and scantily dancing for decades, and will continue to do so indefinitely.

“Underneath the Stars – Eric Kupper Klassic Club Mix” by Mariah Carey, Eric Kupper

This week is a big one for the lambs because Mimi has graced us with the 30^th anniversary edition of her wildly successful album Daydream. The album actually celebrated its 30th birthday last September but Mimi was deep in promo for her album Here For it All. Better late than never! (And that’s how she tells time anyway.) Included in the deluxe edition is this new remixed version of one of her most popular fan-favourites in her entire discography. “Underneath The Stars” has long been known to be Mariah’s favourite of her songs, and in turn, a favourite of the lambs. This new house remix gives it an updated feel and a whole new energy. The original version of the song is 60s blues inspired mid-tempo, but this remix takes it to the club. A 90s house club if we’re really trying to paint a picture here. Mariah has a vast collection of remixes in her musical repertoire, working with the likes of David Morales, Junior Vazquez, Hex Hector and Todd Terry over the years. Eric Kupper brings a new flair to Mariah’s original 1995 vocals, showcasing new runs and melismas that were buried in the original version of the song. That’s always my favourite part of remixes, hearing the same song you’ve always loved in a whole new way.

“Remarkable Hussle” by Rick Ross, Leon Thomas

“Remarkable Hussle” is Rick Ross’s tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle with Nipsey’s actual voice serving as the opening line in the song, taken directly from a voicemail recording that Rick had of the late rapper. The first lines of the first verse further reinforce this dedication as Rick spits “when you winnin’ like Nipsey, boy, they wanna gun you down”. Jealousy is one of the world’s most evil traits and it can bring out the absolute worst sides of us. It’s that jealousy that cruelly took the life of one of hip-hop’s most important visionaries of the 21^st century. Nipsey’s recorded phone call that is used in the song sees him speaking on making it through “the marathon” and keeping his faith strong through all hardships. That call is what inspires this track as well all the rappers who follow in Nipsey’s footsteps. Leon ties the song together beautifully with a sung chorus that brings a hint of soul to the emotional rap. There’s a few other lyrics in the song that stand out. For one, the outro of the song features the second half of Nipsey’s voicemail with him saying “Rick Ross told me some real sh-t” referring to the real-life advice that Rick laid on him that the biggest business that Nipsey will ever run is his actual life. Then you have the stray that Morgan Wallen catches with Rick referring to him as “The Bigot” – I think that one is self-explanatory. Nipsey DID say that Rick keeps it real.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“MORNING DEW (DONK)” by Beyoncé

The world may still be waiting for Beyoncé to release ACT II, but in true Queen B fashion, she gave the hive something totally unexpected: an official release of the leaked track “MORNING DEW (DONK)”. There was no official announcement or context to the release, but like anything Beyoncé touches, it’s resonating hard. And a romantic prophecy dedicated to her man, Jay-Z. She made two appearances during his anniversary shows, and given the recent negative headlines surrounding his personal life and by proxy, their relationship, it does feel like an intentional move to release a love song to show the world that music’s power couple is still going strong, and with more passion than ever. The song was first recorded during the sessions for the self-titled album in 2013, and it hit the internet back in 2014 as “Donk”. Whatever the reason is for the release, it’s a perfect bridge between what will inevitably be her next album era; and we all need a little love right now.

This stripped-down style of R&B music hasn’t been as prevalent in her more recent music – especially given the intentional genre shifts of her last two albums. It is however the true heart of Beyoncé as an artist, when she just sings and gives us that classic R&B that she first introduced to us during the early days of Destiny’s Child. Plus, how many other artists can release a 13-year-old song with no explanation and see it reach the top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100. It’s picking up on social media too. Ayra Starr was jamming to it on her page and the Beyhive is showcasing their versions of the song’s heavenly riff. We love a vocal challenge, especially for a song about morning sex. If there’s ever anything that will get me to sing at the top of my lungs, it’s that.