MP3: Genius ft. Ray Jr. – “Free All My N*ggas”
The Atlanta DJ/Artist and the Cleveland Rapper/Singer Deliver a Heartfelt Trap Ballad
07.18.2016
The Track:
When reading statistics such as the U.S. Census citing that 4% of all African-American males are currently incarcerated, some people may feel nothing. To many, however, that statistic cuts painfully close to home. ATL-based DJ/artist Genius and Cleveland-based rapper Ray Jr have both dealt with the pain and heartache of having loved ones locked up or deported and thus decided to create the song, “Free All My N*ggas,” humanizing those statistics. “Free All My N*ggas” is a heartfelt trap ballad with strong verses and a melodic hook from producer, Matt Steez, who co-penned the hook with Genius. ‘Free’ deftly explains one of the most prominent examples of inequality in our country and instills a message of hope to those behind bars.
Genius, a noted tastemaker and DJ in the Atlanta area, decided to create the song after he learned that his cousin and close friend got locked up and was being deported back to Jamaica. Explains Genius, “I wanted to create a record that reflected the emotions I had. So with my approach to creating records, it all starts with the production. I listen to the track, start writing, and think, ‘Who could capture the feel and emotion of the track?’ I saw Ray Jr. perform in Cleveland and I knew he could capture that mood. Ray has good energy. He’s a great storyteller, and his rhymes come from a very real place.”
DJ Genius grew up in rural Jamaica, but he quickly established himself as a major tastemaker after moving to Atlanta in his early teens, hosting early mixtapes for Migos and K Camp. In recent months, Genius has grown into a notable recording artist on his own, expressing his unique point-of-view while continuing to cultivate a burgeoning Eastside Atlanta music scene. On June 17th, Genius released A Eastside Story: Deluxe Edition LP, a collaborative project with Atlanta newcomer Felipe. Prior to the LP’s release, Genius released “Never Satisfied,” a collaboration with fellow Eastsider Scotty ATL, via 2DopeBoyz, and “Ego Trippin‘,” a lavish-life Beat Attikz-produced anthem featuring Felipe and K-Noe. “Ego Trippin'” followed the XXL premiere of the epic, 45-track “Gucci’s Home” mix, released on the day of Gucci Mane’s release from prison. In May, VIBE debuted Genius’ “Movie 2.0,” which features Que and frequent collaborator K Camp, while HipHopDX shared the “Make It Work“ video, in which Genius and Felipe mob out on a liquor store run. The LP also includes features from Hoodrich Pablo Juan, Mr. 2-17, K-Noe, Rich Espy, T-Hood, Coca Vango, and Two-9. A Eastside Story: Deluxe Edition is available to purchase on iTunes and stream on Spotify.
Listen to “Free All My N*ggas” ft. Ray Jr.: https://soundcloud.com/iamthegenius/free-all-my-niggas/
Buy A Eastside Story: Deluxe Edition: https://itun.es/us/klCIcb
Stream A Eastside Story: Deluxe Edition: https://open.spotify.com/album/6dxlzUJ1NhDpxiX8LFiGsP
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/274240891″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]Please contact Michelle or Dharmic if interested in talking with Genius.
Genius Background
Jamaica-born and East Atlanta-raised Disc Jockey Genius is pioneering the new ATL sound that is making waves through the music industry. Genius offers an intense and engaging live show that is anchored by big records curated by Genius himself. Over the last few years Genius has had heavy involvement in breaking several major artists such as 2 Chainz, Migos, and fellow slum, K Camp. While on tour with K Camp this past year, Genius has been crafting his third LP, Prince Slum which includes features by K Camp, Trae The Truth, Sy Ari Da Kid, Scotty ATL and more. Presently with a total of over 5 million streams online, an impressive library of records/features and a network of powerful contacts Genius is poised to be one of the most intriguing and influential players in Hip Hop.
Links:
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“Free All My N*ggas” ft. Ray Jr.: https://soundcloud.com/iamthegenius/free-all-my-niggas/
“Grew Up”: https://youtu.be/bQnN_O9DiZA
“Never Satisfied” ft. Scotty ATL: https://soundcloud.com/iamthegenius/never-satisfied-ft-scotty-atl
“Ego Trippin” ft. K-Noe: https://soundcloud.com/iamthegenius/02-ego-trippin-ft-k-noe/
“Gucci’s Home” (Genius Tribute): https://www.mixcloud.com/iamthegenius/guccis-home-its-a-problem/
“Make It Work”: https://youtu.be/dst22ZCID0U // https://soundcloud.com/iamthegenius/genius-x-felipe-make-it-work-prod-by-tl-on-the-beat/
“Movie 2.0” ft. K Camp & Que (Prod. by Flair Fifth & Beat Attikz): https://soundcloud.com/iamthegenius/genius-x-k-camp-x-que-movie-20