SoloSam Releases "ITIS"
With the first line of his latest EP ITIS, rapper/producer SoloSam ask "what is you plottin, what is you schemin?", a question that anyone who has been following his rise has wondered for the last few months. It turns out that what he was plotting was a 7 track EP that shows off his versatility as both a rapper and a producer. Each track attacks a different idea with a surgical precision, bouncing from his personal story to larger social commentary.
ITIS was written, produced and composed by SoloSam. With ITIS, Solo delivers a body of work that exudes confidence, self-awareness, and gratitude from the MC. The project is based on the concept of escaping excessive consumerism and the feeling that comes with it once you give in. For those who are unaware, "itis" is the lethargy that comes after overeating, yet ironically, there is a sense of urgency to ITIS.
SoloSam uses his powerful baritone to show the ills of a society based on overconsumption, and to motivate listeners to think about what they are taking in, and what they are accepting because of their apathy. The instrumentals vary in style, but have an underlying cohesiveness that brings the whole project together. ITIS was engineered by long-time collaborator, Rob Mefford b.k.a. BanksTheGenius and features singles ‘Fast’ and ‘The Come Up’. ITIS feels like an instant classic and like most classic projectsthe more you listen to it, the more you find.
Give it a listen below.
https://open.spotify.com/album/65xazlxGRXVrdwqyiSTDGl?si=XZkt9s5HRkqgKCZyocpJ8Q
A few months ago SoloSam released the video to the single "Fast"
https://youtu.be/6YifjGKauKM
SoloSam entered the Chicago local scene after deciding to leave college as a psychology and communications double major and Division I football player to pursue music full-time. SoloSam has captured the attention of the local scene and more through his captivating performances and invigorating records. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
SoloSam - Fast [Directed by StripMall]
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Chicago's SoloSam is one of those MC's that you always remember. He has a larger than life persona, able to make anything sound fire with his deep baritone and powerful delivery. His standout single "Fast" caught my attention a while ago and today it is nice to see the song get a renwed lease on life by way of a video treatment.
In a fantastic visual shot by StripMall, Solo calls on the classic heist storyline in an Oceans 13-type, cameo laced epic. Featuring fellow creatives from around the city as accomplices, Solo plans a high stakes theft in a downtown building. The production value for an independently shot music video is remarkable to say the least.
Ajani Jones Teams Up With CPS & Columbia College to Raise Money for Southside Music Programs
Raised on the cities Southside, Ajani Jones, knows what it's like to finally get the opportunities that are too often reserved for more affluent parts of the Chicagoland area. After transferring schools and joining the poetry club the trajectory of Ajani's life changed dramatically. It was there that his passion for writing was nurtured and his horizons expanded.
In an effort to do the same for students who need it, Ajani has gathered his fellow MCs and Chicagoans Marko Stats, SoloSam, and Musa Reems to throw a free concert & fundraiser for the public. It will be in the South Loop area at 623 S. Wabash, tomorrow (Thursday November 2nd), at 6 30PM. The event is sponsored by Columbia College's student music club (CMC) and record label (AEMMP Records). All donations raised will go directly to the CPS Children First Fund and will be allocated to music programs for Southside Public Schools.
In an effort to raise all the funds possible a GoFundMe has been created as well for those that cannot make the event.
SoloSam - Fast
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An infectious hook over a self produced beat is only the beginning of SoloSams musical showcase. Lyrical dexterity with a calm collected flow give "Fast" a feeling of effortless ease. Solo doesn't miss a step over the beat and is lyrically one of Chicagos heavy hitters, so you know he brought the bars. By handling the production he is showcasing a newfound dimension to his game; mixing it down and putting it all together is none other than BanksTheGenius.
SoloSam is rising quickly, performing around the country this charismatic MC is going to be around for a while. Be ready for his upcoming project "itis", I have a feeling it'll be a coming out party to a lot of onlookers.