Coming from Austin, Texas, Dre Day 100 brings us his latest single, “Ride With Me” which is a nostalgic trip down southern hip hop’s memory lane. The track is a breath of fresh air and a representation of an artist who has been immersed in hip hop throughout his life and clearly loves his craft.
Before melodic rap ruled the airwaves, the character and signature of a hip hop artist was in their flow. One of rap’s enduring qualities is the fact it doesn’t need melody to make a hit (think “Grindin’” by Clipse). It’s always been about the stories, and a charismatic flow can be more effective for a storyteller than a melody could ever hope. Some artists like Kendrick Lamar can chameleonize their flows to lift their rhymes to a new level, while others like Snoop Dogg have such a strong conviction over their classic flows which can turn a good song into a certified banger. On “Ride With Me,” Dre doesn’t reinvent the wheel, rather he exhibits a melting pot of tried-and-true rap flows and styles from some of the most influential hip hop hot beds: the laid-back Houston bounce, the dark Memphis production, the L.A. party vibes. The result is a masterful performance that is fun and simple enough for the audience to rap along with.
There’s a fine line between rapping with conviction and just dialing it in. It’s obvious whether a rapper is rapping from the heart or just reading words off a page. Dre Day 100 has the passion and charisma of a star which lifts this track into the stratosphere. You know he means every word because he lives it, so put some respect on his name and watch out for whatever he’s got next.
Written by Tim Clark
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