Notes on a Scale III - Ron Obasi
Artwork - Notes On A Scale III
If you were to establish a Mount Rushmore of Nashville Hip-Hop, who would you argue for? The Nashville Scene did a cover story on the local Hip-Hop scene with the headline, Hip-Hop City, proudly showcasing some of the best and brightest talents the emerging scene has to offer. I still get asked if Nashville actually has a Hip-Hop scene. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, forever and always… I firmly believe that Tennessee rappers are the best rappers on the planet.
“Trilogies + Trinities + The Trillest Things”
The third installment of the Notes On A Scale series has arrived. Three years removed from Notes On A Scale II didn’t stop Obasi’s hustle. Countless singles (including “VILLELIKEMOOKIE” which I touched on in October) and even a full 11-track project, “Sun Tapes” but now, Obasi is back and primed to take the narrative about Nashville’s rap scene and flip it on its head with his recent 4-tracks.
“GODIZREAL” acts as that battle cry; the soundtrack of the Gods going to war on Olympus. This track evokes spiritually powerful feelings, and you can feel both Obasi and his cohort, Jxdece, ready to suit up for the call to arms.
We were blessed with the video for “KUNDALINI” at the tail end of 2023. Featuring Neaux.id , Kundalini by definition is the “yogic life force that is held to lie coiled at the base of the spine until it is aroused and sent to the head to trigger enlightenment” - making “Watch how I tap in, that’s my Kundalini…” a much bigger conversation than anything related to the physical world.
“DAVECHAPPELLE” features accompaniment from veteran saxophonist AyyWillie who continuously provides unique sonic perspectives from the power of his bronze beauty. Here, Obasi speaks on the struggles. Both internal and external, domestic and international, praying “till my n*ggas get up, it’s about to go down, I be feelin’ Dave Chappelle, the comedy sketchin’ itself…” and fans are even treated to a call back to the title with a sample from the charismatic Chappelle himself.
My favorite track though is “101THABEAT.” Being from Nashville, 101.1 always had the music I wanted to listen to. My mother would smack my hand off the radio if I even tried to switch the radio because she know what I wanted to listen to. When I hear “I came up on 101,” it’s deeper than rap. Getting to hear this song with the video (shot by frequent collaborator, HALV) really made those nostalgic feelings stick. I’ve been trying to find ways to bring more of my inner child out into the fray.
Since the first Notes On A Scale debuted in October 2019, Ron Obasi has always had something to say, and with his recent release, Obasi is looking to cement his place on the Mount Rushmore of Nashville. His storytelling, perspective, consistency, and just straight-up lyricism make him an easy slot amongst the pantheons of the South’s greatest rhymers.
Listen to Notes On A Scale III
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