"Turn Me Down" by PELLICAN CHILD

Sharing the wealth

While hip-hop has its roots firmly planted in the fertile soil of instrumental jazz, it seems like more often than not, hip-hop vocalists get all the credit, while producers toil away in obscurity, known only to the most dedicated fans. A good rap song can only enter the realm of greatness with the presence of quality instrumentals, so thankfully, more and more rappers are starting to team up with producers to release albums under a joint moniker, giving the producers the credit they most certainly deserve. Groups like Madvillain (MF Doom and Madlib), PRhyme (Royce da 5’9” and DJ Premier), and NxWorries (Anderson.Paak and Knxwledge) have set the stage for the newest rapper-producer collab Pellican Child, consisting of Mississippi-based rapper Pell and heavyweight EDM production duo Louis the Child. Pellican Child’s newest track “Turn Me Down” is an uplifting, cheerful rags-to-riches anthem that oozes swagger.

Louis the Child (aptly named because both members have yet to turn 21) offer a stripped down version of their typical future bass style; the track features funky bumps of piano and bass over steady percussion. Pell not only showcases his skills as an MC with lines like “Premonitions turned to profits / Pretty pennies came from problems / Probably pushin’ propaganda every time I speak my conscience,” but also his abilities as a straight up singer, belting out his chorus and providing his own background vocals, giving the song somewhat of an R&B feel to parts of it. A perfect mood-elevating track for spring time, as we emerge from the hibernation of winter, “Turn Me Down” is as much about the lyrics as it is about the beats; a full-bodied, well-rounded work of art.