Manny King John
Born in Frankfurt, Germany, raised in Bangkok, Thailand and currently based in Los Angeles, Azizi Gibson is now back with a self-released EP, The Last. The six-track EP features Gibson’s baritone voice and celestial like production from Kamandi, Mori and Scoop Deville.
The first track titled “Loafing” produced by Mori, slowly builds with vocal samples of soft laughter in the background, awaking you to colorful sounds and machine beats. True to it’s title, this song is about laying around your house without a care in the world. Loafing reminds you that getting chiefed out amongst friends, is a much needed action.
Opening string-heavy with glitches, thumping drums is the second song on the EP titled “Claustrophobic”. This super cosmic song is complete with intricate synths leading you through an extensive time and space. A meaning heavier than the first track, “Claustrophobic” tunnels through Gibson’s thoughts and questions like, “Why these little niggas growing up so fast, up too fast,” a choice line in the hook, “I rather be free than in a cage,” Gibson is rapping without fear commanding you to get on the same page. Artistically, Gibson slightly empties his demons revealing his good and truthful character.
Other songs on the EP such as “Bad Habits” takes you to a grim, dark foreboding place. “I wanna say fuck you, but it’s so hard.” Gibson’s ominous cosmic sound and approach on being in love is indicative of a love that was hard to let go. Kamandi’s prowess production is beautiful and serene, similar to faint sounds of rain. Gibson unveils his vulnerability; the acceptance of being wounded. While “The Irony” is Gibson’s attempt to tell the haters to get a clue, “If you don’t fuck with me then I don’t fuck with you.” “The Irony” cleverly produced Scoop Deville is two speeds faster than the other screwed slow tracks.
Gibson’s EP The Last is an inviting smoke out that I think many will enjoy.
For more Azizi Gibson, just click here.
