Feature | NOTHA 1 DOWN

As culture continues to evolve and the world continues to become more connected and mixed, it has become particularly interesting in the world of music to see the fruits of this social revolution starting to blossom. In no other facet of life can you so tangibly see the influences of different cultures than in the avenues of music, and Proklaim is a fantastic example of just that.

On its surface alone, Proklaim’s music is an alchemical mix of elements from all over the Earth. Moreover, when you look a little deeper, you can see that it is, in fact, at the cutting-edge of thousands of years of history and progress. Sung in English and steeped in a rich core of African music, Proklaim’s style seems heavily inspired by the hip hop greats of the East and West coasts of North America, along with some religious undertones that help make it even more epic and grand in its scope and reach.

These elements, when combined altogether, result in something I felt was worth my time. Instead of just seeking fame or copying the popular trend right now, Proklaim sets out to enlighten and encourage listeners, and from a humanistic standpoint as well as an artistic one this should be commended.

As for the track itself, NOTHA 1 DOWN is as fresh as it is classic. Throughout the track, and in the other Proklaim songs I’ve listened to, I got strong Wu Tang Clan vibes, and this is high praise indeed! The beat and vocals are rugged and raw, yet at the same time, are infused with enough contemporary flare and African flavor, that you don’t have to be a devout fan of old school hip hop to enjoy it.

I wish the song was a little longer, as it’s almost impossible to achieve anything really substantial in a little over a minute, but Proklaim does his best in this regard. At the very least, NOTHA 1 DOWN wetted my appetite for wanting to hear more, and I’ll look forward to Proklaim’s next release.