[Sonic Playback] C. Rich's Mike Brown Inspired Playlist
This past Valentine's Day, we experimented with a feature where we had the amazing Peter CottonTale put together a soulful, Valentine's Day-themed playlist that not only captured the very essence of the Hallmark holiday, but also Peter's personal interests and musical influences. What I would like to do is curate playlists with songs that follow a certain theme, whether they're as simple as "favorite songs from high school" or "most influential songs to my career" with a summary or exposition on the songs they chose. I feel that creating intimate playlists like these would be more interactive between artists and audience and would better illuminate the curator's interests. Anyways, to kick off the inaugural Sonic Playback is my good friend and rising Chicago R&B star C. Rich.
Written and curated by C. Rich.
A young man was shot and killed this past weekend in Ferguson, MO. I've spent the past couple of days really reflecting, and in this time of mourning, these are the songs I seem to come back to.
"Rest in Power" by Michael Anthony, Via Rosa, and The Mind
Mike has always had a really dope and interesting way of meshing soul/R&B and hip-hop into his records. His really unique timbre and insight on the African-American condition in this record has made it one of my favorites over the past few days. The features are super strong too, Via Rosa's voice is as soothing as a Corrine Bailey Rae. I'm not surprised at the 16K plays at all, it's a really dope song.
"Do Dat Dope" by Que BILLAH
Que has been one of my favorites in Chicago Music since '07, always been an amazing performer, and ALWAYS has a really amazing message behind it all. Commentary on the condition of our most coveted and feared neighborhoods in the Chi, supported by the instrumental from Future's "Move That Dope."
"Evicted" by Thomas Mac
Thomas broke on the scene a couple months ago doing a bunch of features for Vic Spencer and is trying to set himself up to take over R&B in the city. This joint touches close to the heart, mainly because the Condo association in our building was attempting to "kick us out #TheCondo" We ended up solving the situation amicably, and set up shop in Complex 2010. Relevant because the increased foot traffic by young black men was a complaint listed.
"One More Song" by JDP (feat. Thomas Mac)
It's like an anthem for better days. For us artists, it's a constant battle between speaking out, and not... seeming like you're simply trying to capitalize on the tragedies of present day. And that inspiration to press on lies in the next song you create. the song makes my soul smile with positive vibes when I hear it.
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Brian Fresco: "Circumstances" (feat. C. Rich)
It's been a minute since Brian Fresco decided to release some new tunes, but that drought ended yesterday with "Circumstances," a Saint The Goodboy-produced single which also features vocal assistance by R&B crooner C. Rich. The SaveMoney emcee is currently planning to unleash even more material really soon, so stay tuned to what he has in store!
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Na$im Williams: "Bad/Heart" (feat. C. Rich)
Last month, we introduced you to a severely underrated R&B singer from Chicago, C. Rich. I'm not one for R&B, but his Certified Organic had me reaching out for the closest girl to share my soul's deepest secrets. In all seriousness, self-written songs like "Blue Dream" help the singer join the likes of Chris LeSage and Lili K. as some of my favorite natural singers in Chicago right now.
Meanwhile, Treated Crew producer Na$im Williams has been building his name up in the Chicago hip hop scene with production for the likes of Chandler London, ProbCause, Vic Spencer, fellow Treated Crew members Gzus Piece and Mic Terror, and more, collected on his summer mixtape, Na$im World Order: Black & White. Not one to simply rest on his laurels, the producer has made his first step into the R&B world.
"Bad/Heart" represents a softer side to Na$im's typical production matched perfectly with C. Rich's subdued vocals. As if the story of a broken relationship wouldn't already give you chills, the haunting echoed voices in the background will give you goosebumps, perfect for a chilly November day. You can buy C. Rich's Certified Organic on iTunes here, as well as downloading Na$im's most recent drop, The Symbiote, here. Of course, be sure to check out "Bad/Heart" below.
[Album] C. Rich: "Certified Organic"
Back in July, we brought you the video for C. Rich's "Let It Go," the first promotional material ahead of his next project, Certified Organic. After years of planning, we're happy to bring you C. Rich's best album to date, Certified Organic. Teaming up with Derek "DC" Cannon, C. Rich's Certified Organic represents a shift away from the crowded Chicago hip hop scene with his R&B vocals. However, joining him are Chicago rappers Vic Spencer and Pavy as the two sole featured artists on the album.
I've known the crooner for over 12 years, and I can say with confidence that C. Rich has been working up to this moment as long as I've known him. I used to joke around and call his music "R&B sex music" as a testament to his smooth voice (with a slight reference to some of the sex songs off of 2010's Rich Beyond Measures), but Certified Organic features growth in both C. Rich's voice and lyrics.
An extra layer to C. Rich's music acumen is his ability to actually write music. "Blue Dream," my favorite off of the album, features a full band consisting of a horn section (trumpet and sax), drums, and an echoed guitar playing ska chords. It's in these stripped down, live-recorded instruments that the Certified Organic name truly comes to light. While the first half of the album features some admittedly well-produced tracks, with the newly-remixed version of "Let It Go" standing out, "Blue Dream" and "Come Back" are the highlights of the album for both the live instrumentation, but also the "departure" from the overproduced sound that has come to represent R&B.
If this is your first experience with C. Rich, I can guarantee it won't be your last. (Album art hand painted by Anthony Williams.)
[Video] C. Rich: "Let It Go"
Chicago has been a hot bed for up and coming rappers for a few years now with a few of our young MCs thrown into the national spotlight. However, this beautiful city isn't just full of rappers, but musicians of all shapes, sizes, styles, genres, talent, smell, etc. Lately, we've been highlighting a few singers from the scene, most notably jazz singer Lili K. and R&B singer Chris LeSage. Today, I am happy to share the first music video for another up and coming R&B singer, C. Rich.
While he's been around in the scene for a long time, his most notable feature was on St. Millie's debut, No Religion But Up, on "All I Do." C. Rich is ready to step into the spotlight with the first video off of his upcoming album Certified Organic. "Let It Go," shot by Rocket Boys Media's Kyle Dones, features the crooner doing as the title says and just letting it all go. Ladies, I hope you're not in a public space when you listen to this man's voice, because his harmonies might cause you to... let it go.
Keep your ears open for C. Rich as the aforementioned Certified Organic is scheduled for an August release. If you're feeling his music, I highly suggest checking out his Bandcamp (with Rich Beyond Measure being my personal recommendation) and help getting his IndieGoGo campaign going.
http://youtu.be/uQlf3F3oKh8