LOS ANGELES, CA- Every once in a while, a song lands in your headphones that forces you to reassess everything you thought you knew about an artist. For me, Kent Jamz’s latest single “mi sombra” is one of those moments. I’ve known Kent mainly from his work with OverDoz., a group that, for a while, seemed on the cusp of something bigger. Their 2017 album 2008 had real traction. I remember it being a record brimming with colorful energy and a uniquely West Coast bounce that felt destined to push them further into the spotlight. Then things got quiet. Whether it was the group’s understated positioning in the industry or the unpredictable halt that COVID brought to so many careers, the momentum seemed to fade, and I always wondered what happened next.
Of course, Jamz didn’t disappear entirely. Around COVID, he was featured heavily on Buddy’s Jank Tape Vol. 1, a project that gave us glimpses of him as a solo voice outside the OverDoz. context. He’s been releasing material steadily since, but I’ll admit I hadn’t been paying as close attention as I probably should have. Getting re-acclimated with Jamz now is refreshing, and “mi sombra” has convinced me to revisit his other solo work to hear how his sound has grown in the years since.
“mi sombra,” which translates to “my shadow,” is not the kind of track I would have ever expected from the same voice that helped drive OverDoz.’s playful and eclectic sound. This is stripped back, soulful, and vulnerable R&B at its finest. Built on a deliberate acoustic guitar melody, the song opens space for Kent’s mellifluous vocals to shine. Instead of leaning on swagger or punchlines, he delivers tenderness, crooning about a love so essential it feels life-altering.
The beauty of “mi sombra” lies in its simplicity. There are no heavy studio tricks or overproduced layers; it’s just Kent allowing himself to be heard in a way that feels raw and intimate. It’s the kind of song that makes you lean in closer, rewarding not with fireworks but with warmth. For an artist long associated with a group dynamic, the solo expression here feels intentional, almost like a declaration of independence.
What makes this shift even more compelling is the context of his upcoming EP, FEAR. Written during a transformative time, Kent has described the project as born out of vulnerability, sobriety, and growth. If “mi sombra” is any indication, he’s channeling those experiences into music that resonates on a much deeper emotional level. It’s a different Kent Jamz than the one I first encountered, but it feels like the right Kent Jamz for right now.
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