MP3: A-1 – “Good People” (Prod. by BEAR//FACE)

Bay Area Rap Meets Lo-Fi Northern Ireland Electro on “Good People,” Premiered By GoodMusicAllDay

01.30.2015

Critical Praise For A-1:

“A-1′s style has a similar kind of funny, free-for-all feel as post-Mac Dre rappers like [Roach] Gigz, but has a sly rap style that is distinctly his own.” – The FADER

“Easily one of the illest emcees I’ve heard over the last few years.” – OkayPlayer

“…something that sounds so vital and absolutely hyphy that it pretty much had to come from the Bay.” –Noisey

The Single:

The Bay Area and Northern Ireland collide in A-1’s new single, “Good People,” which features production from UK beatmaker BEAR//FACE. The single from A-1’s Thurlian album premiered via GoodMusicAllDay, following last week’s release of “There I Go,” which was produced by Mr. Carmack and debuted via Noisey, who stated that song “sounds so vital and absolutely hyphy that it pretty much had to come from the Bay.”

Contrasting the hyphy spirit of “There I Go,” “Good People” presents a deeper theme that most rappers don’t venture to. “Hollowed-out vocal samples swirl beneath heavyhearted rhymes from A-1, who explores stereotyping and the assumptions people make based on another’s appearance,” states GoodMusicAllDay. “All that really matters is if you’re a good human being deep down where it counts,” A-1 states. “Not too many folks in the rap world really talk about that, so I thought this song could help fill the gap.”

A-1’s upcoming Thurlian album features some of music’s most forward-thinking producers, including Mikos Da Gawd, Woostaar, Mr. Carmack, Sango, Kaytanada, XXYYXX, Ryan Hemsworth, Stwo, and BEAR//FACE. A-1 proves that he doesn’t just rap—he explores themes inspired by his experiences seeing different parts of the world, digging deeper and touching upon what it means to be a good person. “I think as human beings, we tend to make weak assumptions about strangers we see who are different from us because of stereotypes we’ve been taught to follow,” A-1 explains. “It takes a bit more time and energy to get to know and understand folks who are hella different from you, but you learn so much in the process that it actually makes you much better at navigating through life.” The album, Thurlian, releases March 5, 2015.

Listen to “Good People”: https://soundcloud.com/adamraps/good-people-w-b-e-a-r-f-a-ce

Check out the GoodMusicAllDay premiere: http://gmad.us/blog/2015/1/28/a-1-good-people-prod-bearface

Watch the Thurlian promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEtoZvLR4Oc

Check out A-1’s newly launched website: http://www.a-1music.com/

Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with A-1.

A-1 Background:

Born Adam Traore, a first generation US citizen to West African and Italian parents, A-1‘s music is constructed around vivid stories of growing up in The City while searching for happiness and self awareness. After the release of After School Special, a mixtape based on 90s television shows, he gained a fan base through internet buzz while still living on his friend’s couch. Soon after, he released his follow-up The Book Of Adam which was received so well, he quit his day job the day after the listening party. With 2012’s The Thurl Tape, A-1 has been acknowledged by publications such as the FADER and Complex. Equipped with a heart filled with passion, an insatiable desire for creativity, discerning eyes and ears for quality, and a plan to spread his music to as many people as possible, A-1 is poised to be the first name in music lover’s iPods in the very near future. A-1’s Thurlian album will release March 5, 2015.