My life partner jokes that I have dozens of children besides our biological offspring. I maintain paternal associations with dozens of people born decades after me. Three such youths are the members of Blackstarkids. My status as a day-one advocate of the Kansas City band led to our ongoing association.
Ty Faizon issued Mango Marai & The Saturn Star four weeks ago. The mixtape has three primary themes: drugs (I don’t approve), self-defensive justifications (Ty shouldn’t worry about what other people think) and music obsessiveness (my favorite element). It’s my kind of mess.
I love Ty’s flow, emo-esque sincerity and production. He and I esteem the sonic worlds created by Q-Tip, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. The distinctive presence of TheBabeGabe is also welcome. Gabe’s new single "PSA" lives at the intersection of jazz, punk and hip-hop. It sounds like home.