Since hearing his Fundamentals mixtape back in 2014 we’ve come to expect nothing but good things from Porter Ray. This new album titled “Watercolor,” more than lives up to our high expectations.
The Shabazz Palaces affiliates second album for Sub Pop is a snapshot of Porter’s life and the lives of his friends growing up in Seattle. Shaped by legendary hip-hop albums like Nas’s Illmatic, Common’s Be, and Mos Def & Talib Kweli’s …Are Black Star those influences shine throughout the project in both the beats and production and his deeply personal lyrics.
The project was A&R’d by Shabazz Palaces’ Ishmael Butler, who also signed Ray in 2015 labelling him the “Golden One”.
Production comes from B-Roc, Dez Anthony, Kmtk and Tele Fresco. With guest appearances from THEE Satisfaction’s Stas THEE Boss, Cashtro, Nate Jack, and Jus Moni. Iconic Central District MC, Infinite, of Narkotik and Tribal.
Crammed pack with 14-tracks of hazy hip-hop and bouncy R&B it’s hard to pick a favourite with so many standout tracks like “East Seattle,” “Bulletproof Windows.” “Everybody,” “Sacred Geometry” and “Arihmetic” to compare. A must listen.
