On this new entry in our ‘Diamonds In The Tough’ class, we need to introduce you to imminent artist Jahan Nostra and his model new EP titled Violet Skies.
Violet Skies: Quantity I serves as the primary full challenge from Jahan Nostra since his 2016 launch, ESP. Though it’s been a minute since Nostra dropped an entire assortment of music, make no mistake about it – the Connecticut-based emcee hasn’t been laying low. A lot on the contrary, Nostra has been conserving his pen sharp and his circulation fierce as he let quite a few singles unfastened through the years whereas he labored on his forthcoming Violet Skies collection.
The primary of three installments, Violet Skies: Quantity I options Nostra lacing an eclectic assortment of manufacturing together with his characteristically acutely aware and conscious wordplay. All through the challenge, listeners will expertise an exquisite juxtaposition of contemporary content material and ideas with an genuine, uncooked hip hop sound. There’s a throwback really feel to everything of the 9-track EP, calling on soulful, jazzy and emotion-inducing instrumentation to assist carry Nostra’s streams of consciousness to life. Regardless of that classic essence, Nostra and his meticulously handpicked featured artists discover their footing and basis within the current second. Because the challenge performs from entrance to again, it’s virtually as for those who’re floating between time and house, with one foot up to now and one other firmly planted within the current. Violet Skies: Quantity I is sort of a tip of the cap to the artists and vitality that helped pave the trail, acknowledging and embracing what made this style we all know and love attainable, whereas additionally ensuring to take all these sonic classes and flipping them with the intention to push the sport even additional.
Whereas Nostra makes positive Violet Skies is overflowing with slick lyricism and thought-provoking content material, he acknowledges the significance of a strong sonic backdrop to help his phrases in reaching their highest potential. And there’s no scarcity of wavy instrumentation on the EP, every monitor taking listeners on a trip deep into the precise emotion Nostra supposed. Violet Skies actually does turn into a journey by means of sound and feeling, with Nostra steering the ship by means of the various manufacturing featured on the challenge. Listeners will get hit with bass-heavy increase bap, feel-good jazz, sultry RnB and even a low, looming vitality relying on the joint they’ve taking part in. It’s a testomony to Nostra’s versatility as he hops on every report and makes it his personal, whatever the vitality or aura of the manufacturing. Violet Skies: Quantity I options instrumentation from Buda Bap Beats, Symphony Swingg, Crow, E Main, DJ King Circulation and Jay All Day Music.
The respect Nostra has for the tradition, fashion, individuals and vitality of hiphop is current on each report he’s dropped over the course of his storied profession. And it’s no completely different on Violet Skies. As destiny would have it, Violet Skies: Quantity I finds life in the identical yr hip hop celebrates its fiftieth anniversary – and that’s clearly no coincidence. With 50 years of basis setting the stage, Nostra steps into the highlight and showcases a eager understanding of the tradition he’s stayed so devoted to. Via the highs and lows of his journey, one factor that has remained constant is the affect hip hop has had on Nostra and the love Nostra has had for the tradition. Violet Skies: Quantity I calls consideration to the love, highlighting the weather that grabbed maintain of Nostra again in his youth and guided him in the direction of his objective. Everybody has their very own ideas and opinions on the present state of the sport, however Nostra understands nothing at this time could be attainable with out the hustle, creativity and dedication of those that got here earlier than him.
Violet Skies: Quantity I was recorded primarily in Queens, NY with Zeus Anderson, with components of the challenge coming courtesy of Chris “Murda” Burke in Stamford, CT. The EP was combined by South Florida-based engineer Chris “Serafin” Anger and your complete album was mastered by the LA-based Grammy Award-Successful Engineer, Daddy Kev. And, as soon as once more paying homage to the weather, the duvet artwork for Violet Skies: Quantity I was designed by MeaS7, an internationally identified graffiti artist positioned in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Hearken to the complete challenge beneath: