Over the years Mello Music Group has become recognized as one of the top indie labels in Hip-Hop. More specifically, they have become known as the home for collaborative albums between fan-favorite MCs and producers. MMG boardsmen Apollo Brown, Gensu Dean, and L’Orange have all made a name for themselves by proving one lyricist and one loop digger is the often the right formula for great Hip-Hop albums. The latter beat junkie may be the lesser known of the three, but make no mistake, this Nashville transplant has created crate essentials with giants of the genre like Mr. Lif and Kool Keith, as well as underground champs Jeremiah Jae and Stik Figa.

So, while L’Orange released a concept album titled The Ordinary Man last year that featured guest spots from Del The Funky Homosapien, Blu, Elzhi, Oddisee, and Koreatown Oddity, fans knew it was only a matter of time before he cooked up another batch of soundscapes tailor-made for a sole spitter. Well, they were right, but this time instead of doing a joint project with an established, or even buzzing, name, he’s chosen to give his talented homie Solemn Brigham some shine. This North Carolina native was featured on a song titled “Plastic Flame” on L’Orange’s last album, but Marlowe is his proper introduction to the world. This 17-track July 13 opus is a full showcase of his abilities on the mic.

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“The Basement” is the third song to be shared off the upcoming self-titled album and the first to get a video. The classic boom bap drum loop and twangy bassline are enough for any MC to get busy, but couple them with an old-timey vocal sample and some saloon piano, and this doesn’t even need verses. Although, after hearing Brigham impressive performance, it’s hard to imagine the song without his versatile flow. He goes from harmonizing to kicking rapid-fire bars, back to chill raps all in one song.

The visuals here fit the off-kilter bounce of the song. Brigham picks up and drops off customers as a ride-share driver, and at first, the fares seem pretty normal and relaxed. However, they get increasingly weird, stressed out, and perverse as the cut continues. By the end of the vid, the protagonist is riding with all manner of creepy apparitions and doomsday freaks.

Past Ambrosia For Heads “Ready Or Not” Features

About Ready Or Not: “Ready Or Not” is Ambrosia For Heads’s platform for showcasing new videos and having you, the people, decide whether they are ready for primetime. Each week, AFH will showcase music from artists on the verge, looking for their seat at the table among Hip-Hop’s elite.