N9Z - Medicine

I always find that some of my favorite artists out there are the ones who have a hugely diverse range of influences. I feel that by being exposed to so many different ideas and styles, musicians can soak up so many ideas and therefore develop a more original sound. This definitely appears to be the case of N9Z, an artist based in Columbus, Ga. Although his sound is deeply rooted in the world of old-school hip-hop, it also boasts influences as diverse as Radiohead, Motown, soul, and many other iconic styles and artists. His most recent single release is a track titled “Medicine.” The song kicks off with a vintage radio sample, but it quickly switches to a modern beat with a distinctive feel. The drums are frantic and highly dynamic, straying from the usual 808 patterns and cliches. The vocal flow is particularly intriguing, making me think of iconic modern performers such as Kendrick Lamar, Logic, or J. Cole, only to mention a few. I also love the fact that the song’s lyrics actually have some deeper lyrical wit, combining sharp social commentary with clever rhymes and a great vocal musicality. Medicine stands out for its modern sound, but although the production is quite polished, it is never overproduced, allowing a lot of wonderfully organic  and “human” elements to really add liveliness to the mix. In addition to the personable and edgy performance value, this release is also quite distinctive because of the sheer quality of the production. The mix is balanced and very detail-oriented, making for a lively, edgy and stark sonic approach. In other words, there are many subtle nuances in this release, which really add to the richness of the track when summed up together. The frequency spectrum of the mix is also very balanced, with a tight, yet deep low end working wonders along with a smooth top end, which adds a sense of clarity to the music. 

Find out more and listen to Medicine, which is now available on the web.