Coming straight out of the colorful streets of Windhoek in Namibia, Proklaim is no ordinary artist. The dynamic lyricist, quiet in his country's missions, has built a name for himself fused with soulful Hip Hop with incredibly personal stories that speak from way beyond his Namibian origins. Proklaim is not about songwriting, but about the experience, twisting bits of his journey, faith, and cultural identity into every bar; but let's get into this latest offering that's making noise, his new single, "LSD."
A fun, funk-inspired piece that feels alive and breathing, each beat carrying with it a storm of purpose. The production aspect is divine. Mixed and master-engineered by Wojtek Majewski, Audio Art Namibia, each detail is a bright description of the other. The bass line is hypnotic yet steady, and immersive and provides the perfect foundation for Proklaim, lyrical and cannon-bursting explosive. Drum patterns are clean and tight, sustaining the rhythm without overshadowing the rest of its ingredients. The keys and the brass fanfares put fancy, lush, nice up, and make the piece of music truly special.
Proklaim is still at the top of his game here. The artist has such a pointed and deliberate flow. Each word feels breathed in deliberately and given space, each line feels weighed with meaning and emotion. Right from the word go, spoken words sneak up and pull in thoughts smoothly but grab the fans' attention. What an unexpected yet brilliant way to set the tone.
While listening to "LSD," I absolutely focused on the song when the rythem inclined me toward reflection and turned the page in my mind about my aims and hurdles and the people surrounding me who are uplifting and those who, perhaps, don't. Proklaim can submit his music very personally as if he is revealing a piece of himself whilst encouraging you to introspect on your life.
I'm not going to lie, that hook on this record is catchy. Bright, hooky, and the perfect contrast to the heaviness of those verses. What I found compelling was how everything fits so well in the end. The production, the lyrics, and the vocals work together so beautifully. If you're into hip-hop as beats plus rhymes, and soul-searching music that speaks and stays with you, then "LSD" is a must.
I had the opportunity to experience "LSD" today, and I cannot recommend it enough. Proklaim isn't only a rising star in the hip-hop scene; his music demands to be listened to with decibel levels cranked into inspiration.