Album: Rexx Life Raj – Father Figure 2: Flourish

The Bay Area’s Secret Weapon Delivers an Introspective and Sonically Absorbing New Project

11.17.2017

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 Album:

Although Rexx Life Raj keeps raking in new listeners and fans, he’s simultaneously becoming a favorite among big names that carry weight, such as Pharrell and Scott Storch. Recognizing his deep musicality and refined sense of introspection, everyone is on board to experience his journey of self-discovery.Completing another chapter of his story, Rexx Life Raj levels up on Father Figure 2: Flourish, his latest album. A deeply soulful singer and a talented rhymer, Rexx Life Raj cuts a unique figure in the world of hip-hop, combining probing lyricism with a supernatural sense of melody, all laid over innovative electronic soundscapes. With production from some of the most accomplished producers in the Bay Area, Mikos Da Gawd, JULiA LEWiS, Ian McKee, Drew Banga, Kyle Betty, and more, Father Figure 2: Flourish is a lush and inviting album, with airy soul samples, sunshine-speckled guitar, loping melodic bass lines, and synths of all colors and stripes. Inspired by his own parents, who have a history of political activism and who make cameo appearances throughout the album, Father Figure 2: Flourish pays tribute to mentors of all genders and ages, as Raj treats the listeners to the game he’s learned from the father and mother figures in his life. Featuring appearances from G-Eazy, Russ, and Iman Europe, Father Figure 2: Flourishis a versatile and accomplished album from a vital artist who has only just started his musical journey.

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,” which sits prominently on Spotify’s Bedroom Jamsplaylist. Raj’s most recent single, FF2 highlight “Where I Belong,” is included on Spotify’s Most Necessary playlist. With Father Figure 2: Flourish, distributed by EMPIRE, 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 Father Figure 2: Flourish: https://soundcloud.com/rexxliferaj/sets/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.