Video: Rexx Life Raj – “Where I Belong” (Prod. by JULiA LEWiS)

Following a Pharrell Co-sign at ComplexCon, The Über-Melodic Berkeley Native Premieres “Where I Belong” with HighSnobiety

11.7.2017

Critical Praise:

“[Rexx Life Raj] is for anyone who likes breathing and/or good music” – Noisey

“Rexx Life Raj is one of the most impressive young MC’s in the industry right now.” – XXL

“But while many of these artists channel a revivalism — Cash Money energy for Nef, g-funk for Kamaiyah — Rexx Life Raj is content to push forward confidently into the unknown.” – Mass Appeal

“Rexx Life Raj (yeah, it’s a mouthful) is the up-and-coming Bay Area artist to know.” – SF Weekly

“Trivial daily details get painted with a generous eye and addressed in smooth tones on songs that feel like falling into a pile of pillows. Raj is perceptive, empathetic, and open about his feelings; he’s also quick to tackle the tropes of contemporary rap with a winking eye.” – Noisey

The Video:

A favorite of tastemakers and artists alike, including Pharrell Williams, who enthusiastically co-signed him onstage at last weekend’s ComplexCon, Berkeley’s Rexx Life Raj is one of the most profound and talented artists in Hip-Hop. Floating over a halting, soulful, sample-heavy instrumental, Raj shines on “Where I Belong,” his latest video. Effortlessly switching between double-time rhythmics and soaring melodies, Raj announces his intentions to the world. Though he has a lot of things to figure out, he knows exactly what he wants: to conquer the rap game. Premiered by HighSnobiety, “Where I Belong” is the latest release from Father Figure 2: Flourish, Raj’s upcoming album, following the Billboard-premiered, Russ–featuring “Burn Baby Burn.” Featuring appearances from G-Eazy, Russ, and Iman Europe and contributions from some of the Bay Area’s most innovative producers, including Mikos Da Gawd, JULiA LEWiS, Ian McKee, Drew Banga, Kyle Betty, and more, Father Figure 2: Flourish arrives on November 17th via EMPIRE.r Figure 2: Flourish arrives on November 17th via EMPIRE.

Explains Rexx Life Raj, in true #CaptionGod fashion: “Sometimes you have to go to Drake’s Bay to shoot a beautiful ass video because you want to capture the same essence that you put into the song just like that one time you captured that beetle in your backyard and wanted him to feel at home in his new Pepsi bottle house in your bedroom so you loaded it up with very moist dirt, a couple leaves, and sidewalk rocks hoping that he would feel at home in his new abode but you forgot to poke air holes in the bottle and he died a slowly, tragic death while you watched Family Guy with your lil homie Pookie. But don’t trip, bb. This video has a happier, more beautiful ending. I’ve learned from my mistakes. #Flourish”

A former Division I offensive lineman at Boise State University, Rexx Life Raj is a gentle giant, concerned with deep soul-searching and analyzing how he fits within the world. Raj is a major rising star in the Bay Area scene, racking up over 20 million streams on all platforms and gaining a devoted following on Instagram for his next-level captions. In the past year, he earned glowing press coverage from Billboard, Pigeons & Planes, Pitchfork, Noisey, and XXL, and earned the cover spot on Spotify’s Mellow Bars playlist with his single “Handheld GPS,” which earned over 4 million streams on the service. Following the release of his debut album Father Figure in 2016, Rexx Life Raj collaborated with the likes of G-Eazy, Mozzy, Nef The Pharaoh (who frequently calls Raj his favorite rapper), Murs,ymtk, Goapele, and others, earning over 1 million plays on his Russ-collaboration “Waiting For You.” With Father Figure 2: Flourish, Rexx Life Raj will hope to realize his commercial ambitions while further establishing his reputation as one of the most original and accomplished artists around.

Watch “Where I Belong”: https://youtu.be/Qse5HH30eME

Listen to “Where I Belong”: https://soundcloud.com/rexxliferaj/where-i-belong-prod-by-julia-lewis/

Check out the HighSnobiety premiere: https://www.highsnobiety.com/2017/11/07/rexx-life-raj-where-i-belong-video/

Pre-order Father Figure 2: Flourish: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rexx-life-raj/id887653264

Father Figure 2: Flourish tracklist:

2Free [prod. Mikos Da Gawd]
Where I Belong [prod. JULiA LEWiS]
Level Up [prod. Kyblle Betty, Drew Banga & DTB]
Lowkey Lovesong (feat. Iman Europe) [prod. JULiA LEWiS]
Paradise [prod. Ian McKee]
Never Had Shit/ Feels [prod. Mike Gao / Kyle Betty]
Fiji [prod. Kyle Betty]
More Than Enough [Prod. Kyle Betty, Drew Banga & Wax Roof]
Neighborhood Dopeman [prod. Kyle Betty]
Forever Lit (feat. G-Eazy) [prod. JULiA LEWiS & Mikos Da Gawd]
The Otherside [prod. Jon Brooks]
More Love [prod. Ian McKee]
Not My friend [prod. Cisco Cortez, Mr. Carmack, Ian McKee, Wax Roof & Mikos Da Gawd]
Ventilation pt. 3 [prod. ian mcKee & kev choice]
Burn Baby Burn (feat. Russ) [prod. Cisco Cortez & Evan Ma]

Please contact Michelle or Isabel for more info.

The Background:

Rexx Life Raj:

From the land of the Hyphy where slaps are king and going dumb is encouraged, Berkeley, California’s Rexx Life Raj stands out by making music for the brain and the heart that’s still pleasant to the ears. Raised by a God-fearing mother and Black Panther father in the mecca of progressive politics, Raj’s music uniquely illustrates his awareness of being a young, black male while also maintaining a sense of humor and joie de vivre.

EMPIRE Background:

EMPIRE was founded in 2010 as an artist-friendly, progressive digital distribution company. After early success, and identifying future icons such as Kendrick Lamar, Sage The Gemini, and Rich Homie Quan, EMPIRE was quickly regarded as a tastemaker in the industry and throughout the past five years evolved into a full-fledged record label, distributor and publisher for independent musicians. With the company and roster growing at a breakneck pace, EMPIRE has effectively disrupted a stale business model by bringing its energy, expertise, and acumen to its artists and labels. Given its reputation, EMPIRE works with today’s hottest talent from superstars such as T.I. and red-hot newcomers such as Anderson .Paak. While remaining 100% independent, EMPIRE has also partnered with Atlantic Records for a joint venture, home to breakout star D.R.A.M. and joined forces with Republic Records for the release of Sage The Gemini’s Remember Me album.