MP3: Rexx Life Raj – “On Ice” ft. ymtk (Prod. by Mikos Da Gawd, Ian McKee and Ekzakt)

Premiered by Mass Appeal Alongside Q&A, the Berkeley Rapper Preps Release of Father Figure, Out June 24th

06.17.2016

Critical Praise:

“Rexx Life Raj is a rapper from the Bay Area with an elastic flow and a keen ear for production” – Noisey

“Rexx Life Raj is a quick witted, sick flow rapper on the rise” – SF Weekly

“Bay Area hip-hop’s best kept secret” – Free Bread

“Rexx Life Raj is at his best yet on ‘Young Wardell'” – HotNewHipHop

“[One] of the Bay Area’s Best New and Emerging Rap Artists” – KQED

The Song:

With his soul-searching lyrics, strong ear for production and effortless melodicism, Rexx Life Raj is Berkeley, CA’s finest emcee. “I think songs get out-dated easily because a lot of mainstream music sounds the same,” explains Rexx Life Raj. “It’s hard to have a lasting impact if you’re following a trend. The songs that last are the ones that have a sound of their own, live in a world of their own.” Today, Raj treats us to “On Ice,” a laid back track for the late nights spent chilling at the pad. Produced by Mikos Da Gawd, Ian McKee and ekzakt, the rack finds Rexx Life Raj singing a soaring chorus atop soft keys and laid-back drums, mixing his rhymes with a melodic chorus perfect for the chill late nights at home with your boo. Premiered by Mass Appeal alongside a Q&A and featuring a Kanye West-quoting verse from ymtk, “On Ice” is the latest release from the Father Figure project, coming out June 24th.

“‘On Ice’ is a player ass, laid back club record,” explains Rexx Life Raj to Mass Appeal. “It’s perfect because that’s the type of dudes Murph and I are. It’s not always about going out and turnin’ up. We could pour something on ice and chill at the joint and it’ll be just as crackin’. This is probably the most ‘radio friendly’ song on the project. Overall, I would describe Father Figure as more ambient and heavily melodic. I tried a lot of new things on this album. ‘On Ice’ was actually supposed to be on a joint EP with YMTK that’s coming out later this year, but I fucked with the song so much that I wanted on the album. He’s a real one for letting me snag it, but it’ll also be on the project we’re doing called EmojiGoats. Super excited for that.”

Last week, Pigeons & Planes debuted “Handheld GPS,” a deceptively breezy Julia Lewis-produced track about Rexx Life Raj’s generation’s dependence on technology, which Pitchfork praised, saying, “Raj has the charisma to become known outside Northern California (his father was a Black Panther), and his individuality should carry him away from home.” Earlier, SF Weekly premiered “Young Wardell,” Raj’s tribute to Steph Curry, which examines the hard work and risk-taking required for greatness. Earlier, The FADER debuted the hypnotic video for Rexx Life Raj’s “Moxie Java,” featuring Nef the Pharaoh, the first video from Rexx Life Raj’s Father Figure. With his ability to shift seamlessly from rapping his ass off to singing his heart out, rapper Rexx Life Raj has become one of Bay Area music’s most unique voices. Born and raised in Berkeley, California, Rexx Life Raj earned a football scholarship to Division I power Boise State University, playing on the offensive line. Despite his aptitude for athletics, football was not Raj’s true passion; music was.

Listen to “On Ice” ft. ymtk (Prod. by Mikos Da Gawd, Ian McKee, and Ekzakt): https://soundcloud.com/rexxliferaj/on-ice-feat-ymtk-prod-by-mikos-da-gawd-ekzakt-ian-mckee

Check out the Mass Appeal premiere: http://massappeal.com/premiere-rexx-life-raj-on-ice-ft-ymtk/

Pre-order Father Figure: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/father-figure/id1115464867?ls=1&app=itunes

Father Figure Tracklist

OMG (prod. Ian McKee)
Far2Easy (ft. Christian Crow) [Prod. Ian McKee]
Helium (prod. Ian McKee)
The Plug (prod. Cisco Cortez & Ian McKee]
Shit N Floss (prod. Kyle Betty)
Scraper With The Rims (prod. Cisco Cortez & Rexx Life Raj)
Handheld GPS [prod. by Julia Lewis]
OJW3 (Prod. by Rexx Life Raj)
Young Wardell (prod. Ian McKee)
Double Back (prod. Ian McKee)
On Ice (ft. Ymtk) (prod. by Mikos Da God, Ekzakt, Ian McKee)
Moxie Java (ft. Nef The Pharaoh) [Prod. by Eli Unorio]
Father Figure (prod. Kyle Betty)

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Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Rexx Life Raj.

Rexx Life Raj Background:

From the land of the Hyphy where slaps are king and going dumb is encouraged, Berkeley, California’s Rexx Life Raj stands out by making music for the brain and the heart that’s still pleasant to the ears. Raised by a God-fearing mother and Black Panther father in the mecca of progressive politics, Raj’s music uniquely illustrates his awareness of being a young, black male while also maintaining a sense of humor and joie de vivre.