Bluesy garage-rocker Hanni El Khatib teamed up with rapper Freddie Gibbs on “Satin Black”, a new track that is the first single from the upcoming Converse CONS compilation, “CONS EP Vol. 3.”
The classic shoe company paired the two artists together as a part of their CONS series, which seeks to bring musicians from varied backgrounds together with the goal of making a unique recording. The CONS EP concept – and the first volume of the series – coincided with the 2014 re-launch of Converse’s CONS brand. And, according to AXS, “The previous CONS EP’s were no different in plucking unique and up-coming artists to work together.”
In contrast to previous efforts on CONS EPs, “Satin Black” represents a new era in the series, because it’s “immediate and clear break in quality,” according to AXS, as the El Khatib produced song is “simultaneously a furious and laid-back cruising song, complete with thumping drum breaks and a nervous drone placed underneath Gibbs’s poured on raps.”
The thumping beat and distortion is only present under the verses, which are rapped by Gibbs. At 0:50 seconds into the track, there’s a shift in tone to a slow psychedelic melody to highlight the vocals. Additionally, this change sets the tone for the rest of the track that features an alternating pattern of distorted rap and a softer psychedelic strings medley.
Check it out:
The Converse “CONS EP Vol. 3”, according to Consequence of Sound, will be released later this spring. And, in addition to his work on the “CONS EP”, El Khatib has an album of his own – “Moonlight” – that will be available in stores and online beginning Jan. 20, 2015.
Leave a Comment