Sean Christian by Milton Amaya

When it comes to venturing off and showcasing versatility, Hip-Hop tends to be a bit unwelcoming. Just think back to the last song from Kanye West’s debut album called, “Last Call.” Multiple times throughout the whiskey-driven track, ‘Ye mentions the fact that he fought for his career to be taken seriously as a rapper, despite setting the tone behind the boards for what might be Jay Z’s best album, The Blueprint. It wasn’t until his own project, The College Dropout that people started to accept him for what he was, an artist. New Orleans native and trumpet specialist, Sean Christian — formerly known as Fendi Sean — is going through a similar dilemma. Looking to break through the mold, he comes through with his debut single, “Lost.”

Set to the tone of the soothing production of Kalamari Mike, “Lost” is a slowed down, sexually driven track that showcases Sean’s ability to piece together intriguing melodies and catchy hooks. On the chorus, it’s hard not to sing along as the Las Vegas transplant croons over the the hypnotizing production. Sean also delivers a surprisingly well-placed rap verse in the middle, which perfectly leads to a bridge that compliments Christian’s developing bar-structure.

We caught up with Sean Christian to talk about the name change, the making of the song and what to expect in the near future. Check out the conversation below.

RESPECT. Magazine: Talk about the meaning behind the song.

Sean Christian: This song is about women not seeing what’s in front of them till it’s too late & it’s a freaky song as well.

RESPECT.: Why the name change from Fendi Sean to Sean Christian?

Sean: Figured I should change my name if I wanna be taking seriously as both a trumpet player and a singer. Plus, I don’t need a name where I can get sued, ya know? (Laughs)

RESPECT.: Working with so many different artists as a trumpet soloist, talk about some of the troubles you’ve faced coming out as your own artist?

Sean: Some troubles I’ve faced are people not taking me seriously and only hitting me up for trumpet solos when they know I can do more than that. That’s frustrating. Also, my single came out & is being promoted through the rap wave in the city, (Las Vegas) so I think that plays into me being overlooked.

RESPECT.: What are some things we can expect from you in the near future?

Sean: Expect this new wave of R&B to be special and trippy. I want my next tape to remind people of what Ye did with 808s & Heartbreak.

Check out, “Lost” bellow and be sure to keep an eye on the buzzing One Militia artist.

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The post New Orleans Native Fendi Sean Changes Name to Sean Christian & Debuts New Single appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo by Milton Amaya for One Militia Records

Music has and will always be a facade. Especially Hip-Hop. Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my genre with every piece of me; but it swallows up people whole without taking even the slightest of seconds to enjoy the taste. The music industry hardly eats for pleasure, instead constantly filling it’s belly up with naive hopefuls as if it were storing away food for some sort of musical hibernation. The game is fucked up and the constant marketing of this mythical “promise-land” that every rapper and their entourage consistently speaks about is playing right into the hands of, “the man.” But what if that promise-land isn’t mythical? What if, with enough drive, honesty, emotion and talent–we can reach this holy place. This is the notion that 20-year-old Las Vegas native, Kiari The Stone, seeks to explore on his fantastic debut album, PRMSLND.

Following the release of the Ish Himself proudced lead single, “Smile 4 Me,” Stone then followed up the jazzy track with, “Wrong Reasons,” a track that is already doing numbers on Audiomack, approaching the 12K mark, sounds as if Devon Miles from Drumline got cool with Redman and made a track with Miles Davis — yes, trumpeter, Fendi Sean, is that good. Although the singles were well chosen and cleverly calculated, the album cuts are what stands out heavily on this project. Stone showcases his stout versatility all throughout the album, simultaneously speaking on topics ranging from sunny Vegas days (“Summertime“), heritage (“Northside“), midget arms (“Anywhere“) and everything in between.

While the Norvis Junior produced, “In My Shoes” featuring an emotional cameo from Ali-47 is without a doubt one of my favorites; the two songs on the album that prove Stone is on to bigger and better things are, “Closer” and “No RZN“. “Closer,” the Cameron Love produced, groovy love-song; is a new look for Stone, but not for Love. Love, a respected producer in the Las Vegas area, shined on this beat, geniusly crafting wavy loops and hi-hat claps that had me feeling like I was listening to Kaytranada‘s eventual successor. (Side note: I was kidding Kay. Cam’s great, but we need you in the industry.) The song is so good, you find it hard not to play imaginary video-director, creating chic aesthetic visuals for the beautifully arranged track.

Photo by Milton Amaya for One Militia Records

“No RZN” is the one though.

In general, PRMSLND is an album that has no skippables and very little dull moments, but Stone knew what he was doing in saving this one for the end of the album. I haven’t heard this kind of blatant honesty from a rapper in a minute. Just read these lyrics to the chorus and try to tell me that a specific ex didn’t pop in your head:

I still think about the times you had my back and all the time we can’t get back,

Was it all for no reason? We got lost for no reason.

I be thinking ’bout the shit I put you through and all the love I gave to you,

Was it all for no reason? We got lost for no reason.

–  Kiari The Stone, “No RZN”

Quick, before you shed a tear and lose your train of thought, that shit was heavy right? It only gets deeper from there. Kiari bares all on this track, melodically switching from crooner to bonafide lyricist, touching on topics from pill addiction and empty promises, to finding yourself in a sea of confusion and mind-altering substances. In all, that seems to be the general theme of PRMSLND–an album that helps you realize all of your worst insecurities, only to help you overcome them.

Check out the Audiomack stream for, PRMSLND, below and be sure to buy a copy on Tidal, Spotify or iTunes.

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The post Las Vegas Native, Kiari The Stone Shines Bright on His Debut Album, ‘PRMSLND’. (Album Review) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Milton Amaya

Motives and the people behind them are always a mystery. Now, there are for certain genuine, caring people out there who do selfless acts of kindness purely for the satisfaction–but for the vast majority, everybody has their motives. Especially in the music industry, where fame and the lure of cash often overshadow morality and self-awareness. Too many times have we seen artists come in, specifically in Hip-Hop, and be overwhelmingly more about the money, clothes and hoes than they are for the actual art. As of late, it’s something that’s not even being hidden anymore and artists — actually, people in general — are getting more and more boastful about doing it for the jewels and ignoring the rules. As 20-year-old Las Vegas native, Kiari The Stone puts it on his newest single, they do it for the, “Wrong Reasons.”

Produced by frequent Freddie Gibbs collaborator, Blair Norf — also a Vegas native — “Wrong Reasons” serves as the next single off of the highly anticipated debut album by Stone, PRMSLND, following the acclaimed, “Smile 4 Me,” which we premiered in April. Layered with thumping bass kicks that are perfectly complimented by One Militia rep Fendi Sean‘s ambitious live horn melodies, the track sounds like it could be also be the lead single for the Drumline remake — just playing, Nick. Leave that alone. Stone’s effortless imagery, “I watch him toast to God with a bottle of Hen/ He said that Jesus and Tupac died for our sins,” coupled with the stout production from Norf and live instrumentation from Sean, make “Wrong Reasons” an easy go-to for, “Next To Blow” lists and PRMSLND a must-listen for any doubters.

Listen to the new track below and keep your eyes peeled for, PRMSLND, out everywhere 7/7.

https://soundcloud.com/kiarithestone/wrongreasons

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The post RESPECT. The Track: Kiari The Stone – “Wrong Reasons (Prod. By Blair Norf)” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.