Kenan Bell - Good Day [EP]

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December 3, 2008, 09:51 PM

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Kenan Bell – ‘Good Day’ EP

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, 25-year old rapper is Kenan Bell has just released his debut EP, ‘Good Days’ and is setting the Hip Hop scene alight with his ‘shoegaze, minimalist’ Hip Hop sound. Apparently attracting fans from almost every demographic sphere both here in the UK and of course in the US, it’s not hard to see why once you hit play on the EP.

Hip-Hop has taken up many different persona's over the years since its inception in the Bronx circa 1970s and when a new artist comes along, some may find it easier to stick with the Hip Hop ‘establishment’. Instead I challenge you to sit down, relax and spend about 20 minutes in the company of Kenan Bell, well, at least through your stereo anyway… ‘Good Day’ is one EP that your ears deserve to hear, not because its ground breaking, it isn’t, but simply because his lyrics are well thought-out and dropped over sonic beats, which are supported by his sun-drenched LA vocals. The songs, they work man and help to inject a little of his eclectic musical adventures into your mind. Unlike a lot of Hip Hop artists’ music that will take your mind to a dark industrial place, riddled with tension, fear and violence, ‘Good Days’ is almost an antidote in some respects to this. Kenan Bell is more likely to chill with you, brighten up your day or perhaps more accurately help you to float off to your inner sanctuary, as if perhaps you’ve been smoking something that maybe you shouldn’t have.

First track up is ‘Good Day’ which opens the line of ‘USA made of the 80s, decade of decadence’. A great opening line, anchored with an 80s-sonic sound reminiscent of those excellent old 80s computers games we all used to play and love. The sonic synth sound does work though and is quite fitting at the moment as with the neo-80s sound perpetuating the charts. ‘Good Day’ is a contradiction, its both gritty and soft, the reverb works well to add depth which culminates in a somewhat unique track. When you reach the chorus, ‘Good days, stay here, tomorrow is a new day, so what ya going to do?’ you’ll be glad as this will play out in your mind for quite a while to come. As a soundtrack to his life and his society it bodes well. The lyrics are good reflection on LA society with many references to those who we refer to as ‘celebrities’. Some would argue this content lacks depth, however it feels more like good social commentary.

‘Celebrity’ is track two on the ‘Good Day’ EP and is at times reminiscent of early Eminem during his Slim Shady days. This is not a bad thing as Kenan Bell is clearly highlighting his influences, however where as Eminem was very creative and original it doesn’t feel like Kenan Bell is quite at this point just yet. Saying that at times his humorous lyrics do make you smile, with further references to the ‘celebrities.’ One aspect of the track is the fantastic female vocal, it seduces the listener to a state of almost climax. The female vocal adds a much needed edge, catapulting the listener into a vision of a darker existence, not far from the dissolute underground, red lights, dangerous misty streets and of course a little danger.

Moving towards the close of the EP is ‘Enjoy’. Opening with a sublime beat combined with a very haunting sound, ‘Enjoy’ differs from the other tracks in the sense that it appears more song full. It contains a great sample which if you close your eyes could blast you away from the dreary day life to a far, far away jungle, you can almost feel the tropical air when you listen to this track. I’m not sure about the production, it does feel like the vocals are in competition with the rest of the sound in places. ‘Enjoy’ is a good contrast to the other tracks on ‘Good Day’, Kenan Bell’s reflection of his life in Los Angeles is quite obvious throughout his lyrics, even though it doesn’t feel original, the track does urge one to hit replay, quite soon. From ‘Enjoy’ its clear that Kenan Bell is a great story teller, his lyrics breed enough grit to give it substance but not too much to make it dull, he’s achieved a good balance on this record.

Bringing the curtain down on the ‘Good Day’ EP is ‘Twenty’. This track appears all the more serious, it consists of a great opening sequence, consisting of a truly brilliant samples. The way the soft, crisp beat kicks in, it’s enough to make you melt. One aspect that lifts the track is the male vocal chorus, it is simply blissful and adds another dimension to the track. Kenan does inject more personality which in turn adds depth, you will warm to this track, think of it like a Hip Hop-warm-winter-fire, that’ll burn away inside of you.

Overall the ‘Good Day’ EP is enjoyable, it has some great hooks and an interesting sound, however I’d lay money on the fact that as Kenan Bell develops as an artist his lyrical content will greatly increase, and in turn will reward us some great Hip Hop music. He is a star of the future, currently finding his sound.


http://www.myspace.com/theblackkenanbell

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