Video: Rexx Life Raj – “Forever Lit” (Prod. by Mikos Da Gawd & JULiA LEWiS)

The Master Melodist and Uncommonly Thoughtful Rapper/Singer Shares the Latest Single From Father Figure 2: Flourish, Premiered by XXL

11.15.2017

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 Single:

Gliding over innovative electronic instrumentals with an unshakeable sense of melody and a cerebral introspection, Rexx Life Raj uses his art to probe life’s deepest questions. Sometimes, though, he just likes to let loose. Cleverly boasting about his rhyming and earning prowess, Raj takes a break from introspection to give himself a little love on “Forever Lit,” his latest single. Produced by Mikos Da Gawd and JULiA LEWiS, “Forever Lit” is a gurgling lava lamp of an instrumental, complete with G-Funk synth, rippling keys, and clacking woodblocks, a perfect canvas for Raj to rhyme about realizing his potential. Featuring an appearance from G-Eazy, the XXL-premiered “Forever Lit” is the latest single from Father Figure 2: Flourish, Raj’s upcoming album. 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.

“There are times when you see your destiny manifesting before your eyes and you understand you’re about to collide head-first into peak litness so you tap in with your already lit homie and tell him ‘Aye bro, lets take it from Willard (middle school) to the world…’ and he hits you back with ‘of course bro.’ and y’all both slither over a Mikos Da Gawd & JULiA LEWiS soundscape to show people that it’s forever, like 21, which is bittersweet because you’ve always been too fat to wear any of those small-people brands but it’s whatever because the glow up is here and you’re about to put on for fatboys worldwide. facts bb,” says Rexx Life Raj, the caption god.

The son of a Black Panther and a talented former Offensive Lineman for Division I powerhouse Boise State, Rexx Life Raj stands out in a bustling Bay Area scene. Since the release of Father Figure in June 2016, Raj generated more than 20 million streams on all platforms and gained 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. Rexx Life Raj has collaborated with the likes of G-Eazy, Mozzy, Nef The Pharaoh (who frequently calls Raj his favorite rapper), Murs, ymtk, Goapele, and many 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.

Listen to “Forever Lit” ft. G-Eazy: https://soundcloud.com/rexxliferaj/forever-lit-feat-g-eazy-prod-by-julia-lewis-mikos-da-gawd

Check out the XXL premiere: http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2017/11/rexx-life-raj-and-g-eazy-are-forever-lit-on-new-song/

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.