Newcomer / Bristol based rapper ThisIsDA drops of his new Jazz/Hip-Hop sounding single “Control, Shift.” The single is reminds me of the likes of Common and Talib Kweli, with the mellow but intellectual style of rap.
Hit the play button and don’t forget to add to your soundcloud playlist.
‘Control, Shift’ touches on police brutality, introspection and the human experience as a whole. ThisisDA showcases his captivating lyricism against masterful jazzy production by friend and producer Jakuta. The track begins with a vintage sounding guitar and smooth clarinet sound before ThisisDA enters with his effortless flow, “young man I’m on these words for real, pressure really got me, stuck I emerge and peel”. The track has three guests on it who all add their own intricate touches. The complexities of the clarinet sound, played by Luke Eira – a busker ThisisDA discovered in Bristol – adds a beautifully textured layer to the song, Fenne Lily harmoniously doubles up on the vocals in the 2nd chorus, whilst seventeen year old Gaidaa, who ThisisDA explains “can sing from the soul like no other”, demonstrates her inherent soul on the outro melody.
‘Control Shift’ is a masterful look into the mind of ThisisDA. His unique blend of jazz and hip-hop is one of the most refreshing sounds to come out of 2017, and when it drops this April, he will undoubtedly be seen as one of the most exciting new artists to emerge this year.
