Str8 Up: No Chasers

[str8up-nochaser]

A Str8 Up Review by Shawn G

A Music Review of: “Hella Good” by KEEYA

Bahamian break out artist KEEYA made her presence known in the music game with a sultry confidence when she released her first single “Faded” and its music video that was amazingly shot, edited, produced and directed. Everything about “Faded” was a big yes! Recently KEEYA released her second single “Hella Good” along with photos from a shoot she did with well-known Bahamian photographer Scharad Lightbourne. Here are my thoughts. It has been my hope for KEEYA since “Faded” that she would be able to live up to the amazing hype that her first single gave her. I’ve seen so many new artists release amazing first singles but can’t follow up with another hit that is just as great or better than the first. However, with “Hella Good” KEEYA has proven that she can most definitely live up to the hype that she is most worthy of. KEEYA says in a verse of her second single “… it is limit to them bitches but my shit so versatile” and she is correct. From soulful R&B to a Pop/ alternative R&B song KEEYA is no longer going to be a force to reckon with she IS a force to reckon with. The song lyric and production wise is great. She flows effortlessly over the beat and it is recorded and produced professionally. I always say that a lot of songs in this country need better producing and KEEYA from “Faded” has impressed me with the production of her songs. A+ to her and her team. With all of that said the best part of this song is really the energy you get from it. “Hella Good” reminds me of songs from a great artist that has been dominating the music charts, Rihanna. The same way Rihanna legitimately has me asking an unknown person for money that does not exist is the same way KEEYA will have us feeling hella good as we sing about riding around town smoking four leafed clovers and pouring it up no chaser just, shot it that’s our favourite line by the way. With great female talents like Chase Fernander, Tebby, and Wendi to name a few KEEYA has entered an amazing circle of amazing artists who are passionate about their music. We can’t wait to hear more from KEEYA there is definitely more up her sleeve.

Listen to Hella Good here: https://soundcloud.com/justkeeya/keeya-hella-good

Keep up with KEEYA on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justkeeya/?fref=ts

[str8up-nochaser]

A Str8 Up Review by Shawn G

Music review of: Singles from album “Shaton’s Lyric” by Shaton

“Here’s an interesting fact, Shaquille Farrington is the song and artist least supported by its countrymen and followers in the history of Lluvia FM. This song (Make Me Over) has been most voted in by France in first place, Canada in second place, Italy in third, Belgium and Spain in a tie, *laughs* you gotta be kidding me. The Bahamas , it’s amazing, there is only like five people there voted for him, amazing! ” - Lluvia FM Host  

The Lluvia FM host is so right The Bahamas has no clue how hard they are sleeping on Shaquille Farrington, who goes by the stage name Shaton. Talk about moving in silence, Shaton is taking over the world one single at a time. The four songs I’m reviewing are singles from Shaton’s sophomore album entitled “Shaton’s Lyrics” that will be released later this Summer. He describes his music as a mix of Pop, R&B, EDM, World, and Hip-Hop in one nice bundle and I definitely can’t disagree.  

Let’s start off with Rebel 4 Love I love the production of this song. I can definitely hear the Jordan Bratton and Kanye West influence in his music, Kanye and Jordan are two artists that Shaton said inspired him while making “Shaton’s Lyrics”. Rebel 4 Love sounds really dark and dramatic, like something Kanye would produce. The song really puts you into the mind of someone telling you that they are going hard for love and no matter what they are not giving up. When I hear it I literally have the video playing out in my mind. It’s one of him being on a battlefield fighting (going hard for love) alongside a group of other love filled rebellions covered in sweat and dirt. That’s because the song pretty much paints the story for you in your head and I love it.  

Never Land ft. Bey Chaino is a great R&B and Pop blend. When listening to the song it starts of with smooth vocals from Shaton then you get a bit of musical texture from Bey Chino with raw lyrics that work very well together. I like to think about how songs would sound without the feature sometimes, just to determine if the feature was a smart move and I think featuring Bey Chino on the song was indeed a good move. After hearing the song I think that I may have been bored with a version of just straight up singing. Of course that has nothing to do with Shaton’s ability to sing, because we know that he can sing, it’s just that sometimes a feature pushes a song to another level the same way a feature can add nothing to a song and decreases its potential. It takes a good artist to know when a different element is needed in a song and so I commend Shaton for having Bey Chino on. It’s really the second verse from Bey Chino that sold me on the idea of the feature so kudos to him as well.  

Now on to the song that was #1 on Lluvia FM, Make Me Over. I don’t have to question why this song was voted #1 on “Europe’s #1 FM station” it really is made for radio. A nice Pop & EDM mix this song sells itself. I can see this playing at a music festival in Europe and festival goers loving it. Not only is it very good production wise it also is very true to the type of artist I think Shaton is. He is manifesting to a mainstream artist that you go to when you are looking for an overall good song that makes you feel something and/or lyrics that you can relate to in some way. According to Lluvia FM’s host, listeners actually thought Make Me Over was Chris Brown’s song but even after finding out that it wasn’t fans continued to request it. Seeing how Shaton’s European fans have already spoken for us by making the song #1 I’m going to leave the hit alone and get into the last of the four songs.  

There is a reason why I left Highway Driving for last and it’s because this song is my favorite so far! Highway Driving has decided that it wants to live in my head, I realized this as I was getting lunch and started singing it. Another great mixture of genres Shaton has another #1 with this one in my opinion. As a matter fact while doing research to write this review, yes I do research, I saw a fan’s request for this song on Lluvia FM’s site. It’s just a cool ass song and the lyrics are catchy as heck. I get all kinds of new Justin Bieber vibes from it, which is not a bad thing at all because Justin’s last album was great, this sounds like something Justin missed out on. Welp, too bad for JB because it belongs to Shaton and he is killing it. I’m looking forward to the music video for Highway Driving that is coming soon and the continued waves it will be making on the charts as it is currently #26 on Lluvia FM’s Top 40 chart.

Overall I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of Shaton’s sophomore project especially since artists like Rihanna, Dawn Richard, Jordan Bratton, Bryson Tiller, Kanye West, and Taylor Swift influenced his artistry during the making of the project. Shaton said that with this project he wants to open listeners ears to the unique sound that is his music. I hope that Bahamians start supporting Shaton and all our artists out there pushing their music because as we can see, especially with this artist, other countries are the ones supporting our very own. Much more is to come with Shaton and we will be right here watching and listening to give you more Str8 Up Reviews!  

Shot rating: 2.5 out 5

**The rating seems low because we’ve decided to rate the singles as a part of the project so the 2.5 shot rating will be added to whatever shot rating is given once hearing the entire album**

Keep up with Shaton on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shatons-Lyric-119774024792883/?fref=ts

Twitter: @ShatonsLyric

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ShatonsLyric

[str8up-nochaser]

A Str8 Up Review by Shawn G

  Music review of: “Necessary” by Chase Fernander

  My best friend introduced me to Chase Fernander because she wanted to use Chase’s music for a class assignment. The first song I heard from her was “Dear John” and my initial thought was damnnnn she’s ruthless. Nothing about her music and style said girlie girl and I loved it. Long story short we were allowed to hear a few songs from a project she was working on and I was intrigued but it wasn’t the whole EP so I kept all thoughts to myself. Now the EP is out and I’ve listened to “Necessary” in full, here are my thoughts.  

“Who’s Calling Me” is your welcome to Necessary and I like the clapping effect as it starts, it makes you feel as though she is really welcoming you to a Chase Fernander concert. After the welcome the next words you hear are “I am the best there ever was and the best there ever will be…” and you know what, she sings it with an attitude that tells you that she truly believes it, she lives it. Therefore, I’m more curious to know what “the best” has to say and so I’m itching to hear more.

Track two on the EP is “Dear John” my real first introduction to Chase and it is still as bad ass as it was the first time I heard it. What makes me like this song is that clearly it really isn’t about someone named John the song is about her not taking anyone’s sh*t which I stand for 100%. The song also tells EVERYONE that Chase is not a sellout, no money can cause her to give up Chase because she knows her worth. It wins most inspiring bad ass song of the month, congrats Chase! Also, the way she says “bullsh*t” = my new way of cursing for life.

I’m going to be honest I was listening to “Better Off” and I couldn’t really get into the third track at the beginning. However, for every single time that I reached 1:57 when she says “Lights…” onward I’m like yesssss rap for meee but she’s been rapping throughout the song *shrugs*. I’m not sure why but I get my hype on at 1:57. Don’t get me wrong it is a nice song and once again she’s on her Chase is that b*tch swag, just for me I get more into it half way through.

(*DISCLAIMER* this is the song that we used for our class assignment so I know every word but I tried my best not to have a fan girl moment while listening to it again.)  Severed Ties which is the fourth track on Necessary is so smooth and flows so effortlessly, I appreciate it every time I play it. I said I know all the words right but it’s the emotions that she tugs on when she sings this song. It is like Bahamian R&B gold a true modern day Mary J Blige vibe with less dramatics that I appreciate, greatly. This song will really have ladies wanting to dump their man because they know they deserve more and he clearly does not know that she is THAT b*tch!!!  Caution men, don’t piss of your better half and hear her playing this song, you’ll be out faster than Bahamians became Pelicans when Buddy got drafted.

“Pussi (Cookie)” is a ladies anthem without a doubt; you see the name of the song right? It is one of those songs that will have girls in club with their friends and they will be rapping back and forth to each other because the ting right and they know it! There is not much for me to say regarding this song, it’s hype, it’s fun and we all hate it when “they front for the pus…”.  

In track five “One Shot” it finally hits me who Chase reminds me of and I got the same vibe in track three, an American artist named K'La. You may know her from her song “All My Love” that was released in 2011, me and my sister was obsessed with it that Summer. Anyway, they both have the same badass I can sing and rap vibe and it works. Back to One Shot, what I really like about this song is the contrast between her rapping and singing voice. When the rapping begins, her flow and the deeper tone of her voice moves the song up higher on the slay scale.

Come through “best female MC” Chase that was my thought when I listened to track seven, “Repeat”. I love this song because her rapping on this track is just in your face from the beginning. If you didn’t know better you would think two people are on this song because she’s just so into the rap giving me a little Left Eye vibe and then you hear this souful singing. Chase just knows how to make it work.

The outro entitled “Journey” is actually my favorite song on the EP. Everything about the song is great, her voice, the music and the energy, I love it. It is a very mellow Chase and it shows another side to the artist that is Chase Fernander as she sings to the sound of a more guitar based song. It’s a bit Soft Rock with a sprinkle of Pop so it gives you the Chase effect but it is different enough to make you appreciate her versatility.

I will have to say that my least favorite song on Necessary is “Better Off” just because it takes me a while to get really into it.

Overall, “Necessary” is necessary it’s a good representation of who Chase is as an artist. Chase is talented and you can’t overlook that at all when you listen to this project. “You thought you felt fire but I am the sun” you’re right Chase, you’re hot and you know it. There is nothing like when an artist knows who he or she is and is proud of it. That energy comes out all through their music and that’s definitely what you get from Ms. Chase Fernander.

Shot rating: 4 out of 5

Check out Chase Fernander on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Chase242/ Buy Necessary on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/necessary/id1110913366      

[str8up-nochaser]

A Str8 Up Review by Shawn G

Music review of: “Revitalized” by Sherwood Rahming

In a world of muffled and jumbled up words surrounded by a catchy beat it is always refreshing to me when I can find a rapper who I can not only properly understand but whose lyrics causes me to feel actual emotions. This is definitely the case for Bahamian artist Sherwood Rahming a true 90’s rapper caught up in the 2000’s. My team and I had the opportunity to sit down with Sherwood earlier this year for a class assignment where he talked about his thought provoking song “Heaven Now”, how he gets from thinking to inking and his style as an artist. Now he’s back on our radar with a new project entitled “Revitalized”. I got the pleasure of listening to the project that Sherwood fully produced early and I approve big time! Look out for the release on July 1st but until then here are my thoughts.

Revitalized is like no other Bahamian produced project I’ve heard. Sherwood is truly unapologetically himself and lets it all show on the 6 tracks. A production that covers a few 90’s love songs, Sherwood moves from the realm of possibly being cliché as he makes the tracks his own by mixing in his style with the other masterpieces, which come together to create something that takes you on a trip. Making you feel like you’re in the movie Brown Sugar when they finally started making that Hip-Hop music that André (Tye Diggs) wanted. Anyway, Sherwood gives us Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul and sex if that isn’t a winning combination what is?   

From the beginning of Revitalized “Lovely” let’s you know that this is going to be an album that shows appreciation to women but it isn’t so soft that men can’t be caught listening to it too, ya know we don’t want to ruin those lovely male egos. As the instrumental fades away and track 2 starts your ear perks up to detect a familiar beat, that being of Tamia’s “Into You”. As Réjean, who is featured on the song, sings her own version I got swept away into memories of watching BET with my big cousins on a hot Summer day. It’s a song that I could easily see being played on Cita’s World, remember that show with the animated host? If you don’t know what I’m talking about please Google it!

 Track 3 is no different another heavy 90’s music inspired piece, you’ll hear a guitar playing the beat of the popular song by Destiny’s Child “Say My Name” in which track 3 is named after. I know y’all sang a bit of it in your head as you saw the name, yeah it is just one of those songs. Sherwood easily could have let a female cover the popular chorus for him but he does it himself and it brings something different, a pleasant roughness to the song that takes your mind from comparing it to the original and gives it a male’s perspective.

With track 4 “we’re going to keep it plain and simple” this song is SEXY and if it sounds a bit familiar it is because Sherwood plays around with Lloyd’s “Feel So Right” that was released in 2004. We get a new flow from Sherwood in this one where he sings a little while he raps which adds a different vibe to the project and almost gives it a reggae feel that low key reminds you that Sherwood is an island boy.

Any Aaliyah fans?, yeah me too so track 5 “One in A Million” will for sure tug on your heart as you listen. Sherwood isn’t alone on this one and is joined by King Kloud who adds something so you unique to the song that as soon as you hear it you’re intrigued. I played this song at least 5 times before moving on.

Revitalizes end with a beautifully produced track 6 entitled “In Love with You”. Flowing with beautiful guitar strums the song doesn’t do too much that it distracts from the lyrics Sherwood expresses that I’m sure will strike a chord with all the love birds out there. It’s a powerful song that conveys love in true Sherwood style.

My one major critique for Revitalized would have to be with “Lovely”. It’s a beautiful piece but is too long in my opinion. The song could be easily cut down to 2 minutes and will do its job as a great introduction to a great project.

So, if you love the sensitive and seductive side of Drake, the clean flow of J. Cole and the amazing 90’s vibes of any Lauryn Hill song all wrapped up in a Bahamian accent then Revitalized is definitely for you.

  Shot Rate: 4 out 5

Check out Sherwood Rahming on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sherwoodrahmingmusic/

[str8up-nochaser]

Revitalized by Sherwood Rahming ( check out our review of it below. )

[str8up-nochaser]

A Str8 Up Review by Shawn G

Music review of:

“Revitalized” by Sherwood Rahming

In a world of muffled and jumbled up words surrounded by a catchy beat it is always refreshing to me when I can find a rapper who I can not only properly understand but whose lyrics causes me to feel actual emotions. This is definitely the case for Bahamian artist Sherwood Rahming a true 90’s rapper caught up in the 2000’s. My team and I had the opportunity to sit down with Sherwood earlier this year for a class assignment where he talked about his thought provoking song “Heaven Now”, how he gets from thinking to inking and his style as an artist. Now he’s back on our radar with a new project entitled “Revitalized”. I got the pleasure of listening to the project that Sherwood fully produced early and I approve big time! Look out for the release on July 1st but until then here are my thoughts.

Revitalized is like no other Bahamian produced project I’ve heard. Sherwood is truly unapologetically himself and lets it all show on the 6 tracks. A production that covers a few 90’s love songs, Sherwood moves from the realm of possibly being cliché as he makes the tracks his own by mixing in his style with the other masterpieces, which come together to create something that takes you on a trip. Making you feel like you’re in the movie Brown Sugar when they finally started making that Hip-Hop music that André (Tye Diggs) wanted. Anyway, Sherwood gives us Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul and sex if that isn’t a winning combination what is?   

From the beginning of Revitalized “Lovely” let’s you know that this is going to be an album that shows appreciation to women but it isn’t so soft that men can’t be caught listening to it too, ya know we don’t want to ruin those lovely male egos. As the instrumental fades away and track 2 starts your ear perks up to detect a familiar beat, that being of Tamia’s “Into You”. As Réjean, who is featured on the song, sings her own version I got swept away into memories of watching BET with my big cousins on a hot Summer day. It’s a song that I could easily see being played on Cita’s World, remember that show with the animated host? If you don’t know what I’m talking about please Google it!

 Track 3 is no different another heavy 90’s music inspired piece, you’ll hear a guitar playing the beat of the popular song by Destiny’s Child “Say My Name” in which track 3 is named after. I know y’all sang a bit of it in your head as you saw the name, yeah it is just one of those songs. Sherwood easily could have let a female cover the popular chorus for him but he does it himself and it brings something different, a pleasant roughness to the song that takes your mind from comparing it to the original and gives it a male’s perspective.

With track 4 “we’re going to keep it plain and simple” this song is SEXY and if it sounds a bit familiar it is because Sherwood plays around with Lloyd’s “Feel So Right” that was released in 2004. We get a new flow from Sherwood in this one where he sings a little while he raps which adds a different vibe to the project and almost gives it a reggae feel that low key reminds you that Sherwood is an island boy.

Any Aaliyah fans?, yeah me too so track 5 “One in A Million” will for sure tug on your heart as you listen. Sherwood isn’t alone on this one and is joined by King Kloud who adds something so you unique to the song that as soon as you hear it you’re intrigued. I played this song at least 5 times before moving on.

Revitalizes end with a beautifully produced track 6 entitled “In Love with You”. Flowing with beautiful guitar strums the song doesn’t do too much that it distracts from the lyrics Sherwood expresses that I’m sure will strike a chord with all the love birds out there. It’s a powerful song that conveys love in true Sherwood style.

My one major critique for Revitalized would have to be with “Lovely”. It’s a beautiful piece but is too long in my opinion. The song could be easily cut down to 2 minutes and will do its job as a great introduction to a great project.

So, if you love the sensitive and seductive side of Drake, the clean flow of J. Cole and the amazing 90’s vibes of any Lauryn Hill song all wrapped up in a Bahamian accent then Revitalized is definitely for you.

  Shot Rate: 4 out 5