Album: Wara From the NBHD – Kidnapped

NYC-Born, ATL-Based Rapper/Producer Shares Concept Album Telling Story of Young Hustler Named “Piano Lessons,” Premiere via Complex

08.20.2014

Critical Praise for Wara From the NBHD:

“Lyrically he comes across as both book and street smart and has the direct cadence of a great live performer.” – XXL

“Wara… has nearly bled mind, body and emotions dry in writing and scoring his audible biopic.” – Passion of the Weiss

“If the piano breakdowns and gloomy production are any indication of how soulful Wara gets with his music, we can’t wait to see more of him in time.” – Complex

“One of Atlanta’s best kept secrets – though not for much longer.” – PotholesInMyBlog

“Wara has been holding it down for musically explorative hip-hop.” – HotNewHipHop

“One of Atlanta’s most promising acts of the new wave.” – Ashley Outrageous

“The gloomy, minimalist production… is perfectly suited for a late-night ride through town.” – The FADER

“His hook and verses are on-point.” – MissInfo.TV

“Keeping the mood as murky as possible, Wara makes his presence known over a spooky backing voice positioned against a secluded guitar and drums.” – OnSMASH

The Album:

The hype is at a high for Wara From the NBHD. The NYC-born, Atlanta-based rapper/producer made his debut on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart earlier this month, peaking in the top 15 following the release of his single, “Raw.” Now, he’s released his anticipated concept album, Kidnapped, via Complex, who says, “if the piano breakdowns and gloomy production are any indication of how soulful Wara gets with his music, we can’t wait to see more of him in time.”

At kidnapped.us, Wara shares the album with a storybook-style gallery of drawings, with unique artwork attached to each track. Prior to album release, he shared a slew of singles, with “Squeal” and a video for “Beige” debuting on The FADER, “Scrilla” via Wondering Sound, and the aforementioned “Raw” premiering with HYPETRAK. In their review of the album, HipHopDX says, “Kidnapped is a compelling sonic undertaking from start to finish and experiments in Free-Jazz with a hip-hop flavor.”

With appearances from Fool’s Gold‘s GrandMarshall, and Two-9’s Rell and LightSkin Mac-11, Kidnapped conveys the story of a gifted street hustler named “Piano Lessons.” Wara explains in an interview with HotNewHipHop, saying, “I feel like concepts and storytelling just brings out a better artist in me, simply because of the enigma.” Carefully woven together by grimy baselines and live instrumentation, the album provides a tasteful balance while pressing traditional hip-hop boundaries, as HNHH professes, “Wara has been holding it down for musically explorative hip-hop.” In his feature interview with XXL, the multi-talented ATLien makes a bold claim: “My main goal in hip-hop is to bring back the art form; I’m going to be the biggest rapper/producer of my time.”

Check out the Complex premiere: http://www.complex.com/music/2014/08/wara-from-the-nbhd-kidnapped-album-premiere

Listen to Kidnapped: kidnapped.us

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Wara From the NBHD – Kidnapped tracklist:

01. “Get In”
02. “Piano Lessons”
03. “Slangin”
04. “Beige”
05. “Raw” (feat. Grande Marshall)
06. “Hot Boy”
07. “Fuck You Mean / Composure”
08. “Scrilla”
09. “Annoyed”
10. “Squeal (Peel Off)”
11. “Gone Baby Gone” (feat. Rell & Light Skin Mac-11 of Two-9)

Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Wara From the NBHD.

Wara From the NBHD Background:

Wara From the NBHD might be ATL’s next rising star. The Brooklyn born, Atlanta-based rapper serves as an embodiment of both of the areas he grew up in. An artist with a unique ability to blend both cultures seamlessly with striking lyricism and impressive production. This sentiment is highlighted with Wara’s latest release The Ill Street Blues a mix tape garnering critical praise from notable outlets such as The Fader, Complex and XXL. The project portrays a dichotomy of the good and bad Wara has experienced in his life, notably personified by his son sitting next to a gun on the mix tapes cover. His new release Kidnapped, is a concept album produced entirely by himself.