Reese Channels His Inner Cam'ron

If for whatever reason legendary rapper Cam’ron stumbled upon this article, he’d probably think its title was somewhat pause-worthy. I can imagine him now saying in his potent Uptown accent : “wow—inner is wild.” Hopefully the header would intrigue him enough to fully dive into the write-up and eventually realize the caption was perfect for the situation at hand (...that was kinda crazy, ngl).

Earlier this month, ATL Rapper/Producer Reese LaFlare released a single commemorating the Harlem Diplomat entitled, “Pink Range Rover.” Featuring Foggie Raw and PM FRVR, the joint is inspired by Cam’s 2002 Billboard hit, “Hey Ma.” Its music video depicts Reese and his comrades talking their sh*t while remaining fresher than ever.

LaFlare’s Rated R Superstar LP is coming soon. For now, check out the visual for his Slade Da Monsta-produced tune below:

Bode's Bold Move

Don’t front, the very first time you saw the fashion label Bode (BOH-dee), you mistakenly pronounced it: “Boa-uhd” or even “Ba-deeh” {why did I suddenly think of Amaarae’s viral TikTok song}. No? I guess it’s just me then.  In any case, the booming brand—known for its intricate garments inspired by vintage pieces and antiques—is finally delving into the womenswear matrix.

Founded in 2016 by world-renowned designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla, Bode will showcase its inaugural women’s collection at its Paris menswear show on January 21. The American luxury line’s striking men silhouettes are mostly made from domestic textiles crafted by women already, so the transition will be smoother than Tony Hawk’s first 900 landing on a vert ramp.  

The forthcoming collection, titled “The Crane Estate,” takes cues from Emily’s mother's hometown of Massachusetts (1970s Massachusetts, to be exact). It will feature skirts, dresses, lingerie and silk tops.

Playboi Carti x The Fader

“We ain’t got to ball, D. Rose/I don’t give a f*ck bout none,” mumbles Playboi Carti, as he starts skating on Tyler The Creator’s IGOR stellar cut, “Earfquake.” Though admitting his carefreeness, the 22-year-old Atlanta native is very scrupulous about his method of releasing music, and even uploads on social media. Fortunately, The Fader was able to track him down for their Summer 2019 cover story which provided us with just a peek into his reclusive rockstar life.

During the lengthy sit-down, my fellow Virgo—Carti was born one day after me, that explains our majestic swag. Feel me?—spoke of his hotly-anticipated second studio album Whole Lotta Red, forthcoming project with super-producer Metro Boomin, private relationship with Iggy Azalea, and more.

You can read the informative interview HERE. Speaking of insightful conversations, be on the lookout for my 30th Original Story!

Photographed by Micaiah Carter

Imported (Remix)

“Hi, my name is Frendy/And sometimes people call me Friendly.” Damn, I really disliked when that happened back in the day, but I’ve grown accustomed to it. Furthermore, the nickname describes my personality pretty well so there's really no harm done. R&B star 6LACK certainly goes through the same situation and, just like me, doesn’t mind the public butchering of his name because, as he states in Jessie Reyez’s Imported (remix), “they stubborn and my bank account is looking mighty fine.”

The talented Toronto crooner’s slightly tweaked single is from her highly anticipated debut album.  "You don't really know what songs are going to touch people, but I remember a day after releasing the original song, I did a show and everyone was singing it”, she says of the sultry banger to MTV News.  "It was mad cool that people only had a day to learn the song and it hit them already, you know? So to be able to put somebody as talented as 6LACK on it and be able to give the song a new life, is a sick opportunity."

You think she said “Black” or “Six-lack” during the interview? *Laughs*.  In any case, check out the tune’s intimate visual below, and be on the lookout for Jessie’s sonic body of work, which is slated to release later this year via Island Records.

Old Town Road

Yeehaw! You might have the sudden urge to cop Balenciaga’s latest Santiag Harness Booties, and go horse riding in Central Park after hearing this viral hit from Hip Hop (well, at least that’s what I think it is) newcomer, Lil Nas X.

Montero Lamar Hill sort of shares the same rap moniker as Nasir Jones—arguably one of the greatest lyricists to ever live—but their sounds totally differ.  The rising ATLien’s music boasts a trappy, genre-bending new age twang, which is accented in his western-influenced sonic offering, “Old Town Road.” Initially released in December, the “banjo hip hop smash,” as coined by Rolling Stone, is just under two minutes long yet sticks in your noggin like itty-bitty tape on Cardi B’s nips.  Heck, it even received a cosign from Justin Bieber via Instagram on March 24th.  Long before the Biebs displayed his approval, though, the “country rap” track debuted on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart all at once!  Furthermore, it was also made popular on Tiktok, the 4th ranked app in the App Store that allows users (mostly teenagers) throughout the country to create video clips set to music.

Check out “Old Town Road” for yourself below and decide if all the hoopla surrounding it is warranted:

While you’re at it, indulge in Young Thug’s very own revolutionized take on Country music, “Family Don’t Matter,” featuring Millie Go Lightly.

Off Deez

“Off Deez” might actually be J.I.D’s very first publicly released song with a J. Cole feature.

Destin (yeah, I just spilled his government name) felt that he wasn’t ready to receive a coveted verse from Dreamville’s head honcho on his 2017 debut album, The Never Story.  Furthermore, the rising spitter wanted to fully express his come-up to the world alone. After one full year—filled with countless fiery freestyles and memorable performances (please go watch his appearance on COLORS)—the East Atlanta native has leveled up, and is now preparing to release his sophomore effort with a little help from several musical heavyweights...and yes, Jermaine is certainly not left out.

Produced by ChaseTheMoney, the Cole-assisted banger is from J.I.D’s forthcoming project Dicaprio 2, which is slated to drop on November 26th, 2018.  I honestly have no words to describe how scorching this track is.  All I can say is that if you had any doubts about why J. Cole signed this dude (seemingly out of nowhere), they will cease to exist after hearing it.

Check out the chune for yourself below:

Marcato

Damn!  It's been a while hasn't it?  I'm really glad to be back writing for FRNDY LMRN.  I wanted to hold off on releasing this article because I knew all of the big things that were ahead for the person I'm going to write about.  I wanted to incorporate everything for you guys in this piece so here we finally are.  Please allow me to introduce my longtime friend and latest interviewee, Marcato.

Meet Prince Nasir Dean, better known by his stage name, Marcato.  Nas is a budding music producer based out of Miami, Florida.  We have known each other since we were about six years old through our mothers.  We spent our adolescent years running the streets of Atlanta.  When Nas moved to New York in 2011, it was a huge change for the both of us.  A few years later, he relocated back to Miami and has been living bi-coastal ever since.  

Growing up, Nas was always involved in the music industry.  His father is the super successful music producer Swizz Beatz, so of course his musical influence is apparent.  Over the past few years, Nasir developed his musical passion and is currently on the journey of becoming a staple in the music business.  What I admire most about Nas is his relentless grind and passion to make it on his own.

Nas has gained tons of success in the last few months.  He received several hit placements with various recording artists throughout the nation!  Furthermore, Nas produced his first hit on IDK's latest single, "Star."  At the end of June, Nasir came to Atlanta to develop his music with several heavy hitters in the industry such as Lil Yachty, Trippie Redd, Rick Ross, Kodie Shane, Gwen Bunn, Black Metaphor and more.  Recently, Nas joined the A&R team at Epic Records!  I can truly say that as both a friend and his publicist, he is only going to the top from here.

While Nas visited Atlanta in June, we sat down to discuss life and his future.  Check out our conversation below:

JULIEN:  What's the origin of your stage name Marcato? 

NASIR:  The origin of my stage name stems from my self-development and self-discovery.  Marcato is a musical instruction indicating a note, chord or passage to be played louder than the surrounding music.  That's what I feel my music represents.

JULIEN:  What genre of music do you consider your work to fall in?

NASIR:  My sound fits in the Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, and Pop genres the best.

JULIEN:  Who influences you the most musically?

NASIR:  Michael Jackson, Jimmy Hendrix, André 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, J. Cole and Pierre Dutour influence and inspire me the most.

JULIEN:  When did your interest for music initially come about?

NASIR:  I first realized that I was interested in potentially pursuing a career in music when my dad gifted me my first beat machine for my 10th birthday. I didn't know what to do with it at first though.

JULIEN:  Have you ever felt any type of pressure to do music due to your father and step-mother's great amount of success?

NASIR:  No, never.  Truthfully, I feel as if I was born to do this regardless.

JULIEN:  Could you briefly describe your music-making process?

NASIR:  My first step in the process of composing music is constructing the melody, percussions then finally the 808's.  Other than that, a good amount of the process is mental preparation—thinking positively.

JULIEN:  What environment do you produce music the best in?

NASIR:  Everyone's different, but for me, I prefer to produce music in the nighttime and ironically at school.

JULIEN:  How has your sound evolved since you first began producing?

NASIR:  Over time I have unlocked many new abilities by introducing myself to new techniques through focus.  It usually comes naturally when I'm working on my craft alone in the solitude of my quiet time.

JULIEN:  What is your biggest challenge musically?

NASIR:  Currently, music theory is my biggest challenge.  It can be overwhelming to completely grasp.

JULIEN:  Do you ever get stuck?

NASIR:  All the time!  I can't imagine there being any artist who doesn't get stuck.

JULIEN:  How do you get your creative juices flowing when that occurs?

NASIR:  If I get stuck during the daytime hours, I shelf the idea for the night.  I work best at night and try to have a positive day with great vibes and energy.  Usually the outcome at night reflects the energy I put out during that day.

JULIEN:  Which artists would you like to collaborate with? and why?

NASIR:  I would like to work with J. Cole and Travis Scott because their records inspire me.  I listen to them repeatedly to decipher and understand what it is that I like about their particular song.  Music should make you think!  It's going to happen when the time is right.

JULIEN:  What are your favorite songs out right now?

NASIR:  Right now, my two favorite songs are "Kevin's Heart" by J. Cole and "Mo Bamba" by Sheck Wes.

JULIEN:  What is your favorite album of all time? 

NASIR:  It would definitely have to be Metallica's Master of Puppets album.  I listened to it at a very young age—It truly helped develop the love of music I have now.

co-JULIEN:  What is the ultimate direction that you wish to go in musically?

NASIR:  I want to become a music aficionado and leader of the next generation's musical youth prospects.

JULIEN:  Can fans expect an EP from you anytime soon?

NASIR:  Yes!  One is currently in the making, but in the meantime, check out IDK's latest song "Star," co-produced by myself.

JULIEN:  What goals do you want to accomplish within this upcoming year?

NASIR:  I would like to develop my own record label.  I am going to be under Sylvia Rhone at Epic Records, which is huge for me!  I have an amazing lineup of creatives that I'm working closely with.  I am eager to explore and develop the projects.

JULIEN:  In five years, where do you see yourself?

NASIR:  In five years, I see myself in Corsica, France with Scarlett Johansson leading my companies to its highest pinnacle and beyond.

JULIEN:  When it comes to success, how do you define it?

NASIR:  To me, success embodies the inspiration for all generations.  My musical expressions create freedom of the soul from my artistic expression.  That is success.

JULIEN:  What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received?

NASIR:  The best advice I ever received was from my mother Nichole.  She always reminds me to keep an open mind.

Written by Sir Julien George

Photographed by We Own The City

For any inquiries regarding Nasir Dean, feel free to visit Notemarcato.com or email 13th@notemarcato.com.