The modern R&B soundscape has found itself deeply embedded with elements of electronic music. This crossing over of appeals has seen rise to the next wave of musical superstars and has served as a foundation for the music of Lafa Taylor. After having previous projects featured on major media outlets Billboard, Okayplayer, Huffington Post, and CRAVE while blazing the festival circuit, Lafa’s latest release, the 8-track EP Ridin’ Slow, sees a more mellow side of the California-native without losing an ounce of danceability. The EP will be available September 22nd, 2017 on Mixto Music.
The grooving slow jams provided were created in collaboration with a mix of talent, including production work from 15-year old prodigy Ordnry Yngstr on title track “Ridin’ Slow. The pacing and feel of Ridin’ Slow is rooted in a deeper appreciation for R&B and the desire to make a project that reflected the appreciation, at a slower pace than the “bangers” fans may be familiar with after collaborations with heavyweights Bassnectar and Aabo. The brainchild of a vast array of influences, the constant evolution of styles, flexibility, and depth are aspects Lafa prides himself on. Speaking on his musical upbringing, Lafa stated “I grew up in a lot of different scenes but two musical scenes particularly grabbed me in high school, one was electronic music and "raves," and the other was hip-hop and hip hop shows. At the time electronic music was fairly underground. It's amazing to see not only that electronic music is widely accepted/on the radio now but also that the hip hop and R&B scenes are more commingled with EDM these days.”
Ridin’ Slow is literally music of the streets, as the EP was recorded in a mobile recording studio operating out of a 40 foot bus in San Francisco during the summer of 2016. To keep the vibe right, Taylor would park the bus in low-density areas, avoiding the stress of parking meters and noise pollution. Creating the concept out of a vehicle lends itself naturally to the album’s theme of music for driving. Additional collaborations included established producer Chef Byer (OB Obrien Feat. Drake and Son Real), and B Bravo (Mr. Carmack), as well as a youngsters Ordnry Yngstr and tiedye ky. Also featured on the album is Aabo, a longtime friend and collaborator of Taylor.
The songs in Ridin’ Slow maintain a strong cohesion. From the title track, which encourages the listener to “take in the scenery and enjoy the view,“ which Okayplayer noted “showcases his rich and textured vocals”, to the Rihanna homage of “Work” that closes that album down, Lafa Taylor consistently challenges himself to stray beyond his comfort zone, a challenge he embraces with open arms. Additional tracks include the latest single “Love Like You,” a track reminiscing on past love with uncomparable chemistry and the impressive “3 Hour,” a song which, started as a challenge to make a beat in three hours and ended in an album-worthy flow.
Ridin’ Slow is made for life beyond the club scene, projecting from a more well-rounded center. Lafa Taylor is poised to make even more waves in already impressive career. Keep your eyes and ears open for Ridin’ Slow, dropping everywhere September 22nd. Lafa promises a “super unique tour” in the works to accompany the album, so be sure to keep up-to-date on Lafa’s tour schedule heading into the new year.
Tracklist:
1. Ridin’ Slow
2. Love Like You
3. 3 Hours (Freestyle)
4. Come Over
5. Not Here Forever
6. Please Don’t Fall In Love
7. From Here
8. Work
