LOS ANGELES, CA- Having seen Warren Hue on at least 4 separate occasions now, I’ve been a big fan of the Indonesian rapper-singer since before he was signed to 88rising in 2020. His debut album with 88rising, BOY OF THE YEAR, was an album that showcased his overflowing talent and versatility.
His first single this year, ‘TENNESSEE,’ is a departure from the hip-hop, hyperpop, electronic, old-school R&B, and Y2K punk combination that was his last album but instead focuses on a more subdued, mellow, contemplative sound. In the rapper’s own words, ‘TENNESSEE is a song I wrote during a time in my life when I had a lot going on in my mind, fighting my inner thoughts… It’s a song about trying to rediscover who I am as a person in a tough period of my life, blocking out what people were trying to tell me to do or say. It’s one of my most personal and introspective songs I’ve released so far.’
‘TENNESSEE’ is the pre-release song to his upcoming mixtape, which comes out later in the year. Personally, I believe that out of all the songs that he could have chosen to release first, this was definitely the one to choose. This song definitely shows a different side of the artist, and it’s honestly perfect for those late-night drives. Its languid and vibey nature starkly contrasts with 88rising’s recent sound, evoking a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of ‘old 88rising.’ It’s a pleasant surprise.
At only 21 years old, Warren Hue has already showcased an incredible range. He’s done everything from performing at Coachella to featuring in four songs on Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings official soundtrack. This release just goes to show that he is not stopping anytime soon, and he is just continuing to get better with time.
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