3.22.2024
Single: Mez ft. Leon Bridges – “Around The World“
The Raleigh-Born Rapper Connects With the Incomparable Leon Bridges for a Smooth and Soulful Highlight From the Upcoming Loading EP
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 Song:
Blessed with boundless creativity and razor sharp pen game, Mez has earned the respect of the industry’s best and brightest during his decade in the rap game. Today, the artist formerly known as King Mez connects with the honey-voiced soul singer Leon Bridges for “Around The World,” his new single. Accompanied by a choir, crisp drums, and a sumptuous synth bass, Mez laments the state of society and dreams of a world where he can make music and chill with his friends all day long without a care. He’s aided in his mission by Leon Bridges, who sings of watching the sun rise and shouts out “every South Side around the world,” especially Southeast Raleigh where Mez was born and raised.
“Around The World” is the latest highlight to be shared from Mez’s upcoming project Loading, a seven-track missive, and the artist’s first official project in years. The upcoming EP is a succinct, 7-track document that showcases his laid-back delivery of dense, profound lyrics, touching on lessons learned from his years of experience in all corners of the industry. It is home to recent singles “Hot Spot,” an immersive song about finding connection featuring Isaiah Rashad and produced by Monte Booker, Phoelix & Cam O’bi, and the vibrant “Call On” ft. Kurtis Wells, which earned buzz from its inventive music video. Culminating a long journey through the music industry–from his acclaimed mixtapes, to working with Dr. Dre and J. Cole, to his rejuvenated solo work–Loading EP arrives in the coming weeks 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.
Now, Mez steps back into the forefront, armed with his own message and more than enough talent to make it known. Stay tuned for much more from the multi-talented artist in the near future/
Stream “Around The World” ft. Leon Bridges: https://massappeal.lnk.to/mez-atw
Photo Credit: Sophia Schrank
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:
“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