4.8.2024
Mez Shares Cover Art and Tracklist For The Loading EP, Coming April 19th via Mass Appeal
The North Carolina Artist’s (fka King Mez) First Official Project in the Streaming Era Features Guest Appearances From Leon Bridges, Isaiah Rashad, MAVI, SAINt JHN, Childish Major, and More, Plus Production From Monte Booker, Tae Beast, DJ Mark B, Bizness Boi, Cam O’bi, Phoelix, and Many Others
Critical Praise:
“Allowing the art to grow organically and its own path, regardless of the medium, is something 29-year-old Mez, born Morris W. Ricks II, has never shied away from.” – Billboard
“Mez is shooting to win.” – NPR
“Confident, but not braggadocious, there is a Southern timidness to Mez that is charming.” – Pitchfork
“Mez sees pressure and difficulty as a prime moment for preserving and conquering.” – Variety
The Announcement:
Respected in the industry for his multimedia mastery and incisive perspective, North Carolina artist Mez follows his muse wherever it may take him. Today, the artist formerly known as King Mez announces The Loading EP, his new EP, and first official project in the streaming era. The upcoming effort finds Mez enlisting assistance from kindred spirits from across the music landscape, who share Mez’s playful sense of soulful musicality and his dedication to the grind.
Leon Bridges and Isaiah Rashad appear on previously-shared singles “Around The World” (covered by Essence, Hits DD, HipHopDX, and more) and “Hot Spot” (mentioned in XXL and 2DopeBoyz, among others), respectively, while luminaries like SAINt JHN, MAVI, and Childish Major join him on to-be-released EP highlights. The EP features forward-thinking production from some of the game’s most creative beatmakers, including Tae Beast, Monte Booker, DJ Mark B, and many more, including Mez himself. Featuring an appearance from Kurtis Wells on lead single “Call On,” The Loading EP arrives on April 19th via Mass Appeal.
Emerging out of Raleigh in the early 2010s, Mez was a leading light in a fertile NC rap scene that birthed underground and mainstream stars. Mez’s sharp lyrics and assured artistic vision helped convince some of music’s biggest stars to trust him with their creative visions. Then known as “King Mez,” the rapper was one of the driving forces behind Compton, Dr. Dre’s long-awaited third album, appearing on nine tracks and writing on several others–his efforts drew praise from the likes of Pitchfork, NPR, Vulture, and many others. Mez has been a regular affiliate of his friend and fellow North Carolinian J. Cole, and has contributed several verses to Dreamville;compilations, including Revenge Of The Dreamers III and last year’s Creed III: The Soundtrack. Mez is also a renowned video director, stepping behind the camera for clips like J. Cole’s “Middle Child” and “a m a r i,” Dreamville’s “Sleep Deprived” (on which he also raps), plus videos for Ari Lennox, Isaiah Rashad, and more. Most recently, Mez earned a writing credit on J. Cole’s surprise album Might Delete Later, contributing to the Ari Lennox-sang hook on opening song “Pricey” ft. Ari Lennox, Young Dro & Gucci Mane.
Pre-save The Loading EP: https://massappeal.lnk.to/loading
Watch “Call On” ft. Kurtis Wells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMshNSXOgPA
Stream “Around The World” ft. Leon Bridges: https://massappeal.lnk.to/mez-atw
Stream “Hot Spot” ft. Isaiah Rashad: https://massappeal.lnk.to/hotspot
The Loading EP tracklist:
- Yeah Yeah
- Humma Time ft. Childish Major
- Call On ft. Kurtis Wells
- Hot Spot ft. Isaiah Rashad
- Bat Phone ft. SAINt JHN & MAVI
- Devil Is A Judge
- Around The World ft. Leon Bridges
Please contact Michelle, Alexandra, or Kevin for more info.
The Background:
Mez, hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, is a true polymath – a GRAMMY-nominated recording artist, songwriter, music producer, and film director. His breakthrough came in 2015, when he wrote 14 of the 16 tracks on Dr. Dre’s critically acclaimed Compton album. In 2019, Mez’s multi-hyphenate talent was highlighted on Dreamville’s GRAMMY-nominated project, Revenge of the Dreamers III, where he was featured on two songs and directed the video for J. Cole’s 8x platinum record “Middle Child”, his directorial debut. Since then, he has directed commercial pieces for Jordan Brand and Nike among others. He also directed music videos for his contemporaries such as Ari Lennox, Isaiah Rashad, Sir, as well as continuing to direct and creative direct for J. Cole. Mez has most recently featured on the soundtrack of the critically acclaimed blockbuster film, Creed III. His sights are now set on releasing his own music projects in the near future.
Links:
Pre-save The Loading EP: https://massappeal.lnk.to/loading
“Around The World” ft. Leon Bridges: https://massappeal.lnk.to/mez-atw
“Hot Spot” ft. Isaiah Rashad: https://massappeal.lnk.to/hotspot
“Call On” ft. Kurtis Wells: https://youtu.be/sMshNSXOgPA / https://youtu.be/sMshNSXOgPA