Patreon supporters received access to this review on October 8th, 2024.
It’s Day 4 of Deviants Week, and today we have this single from Astronate, who is a producer and DJ from Raleigh, North Carolina. I was happy to learn that Astronate has some music available on DSPs because I was very pleased with his skills when he was DJing at the Fight for NC show that I mentioned in Listening Log 009. Check out this short clip I recorded of him goin’ in.
I don’t really take a lot of pictures or videos when I’m at shows because I feel like it might annoy the performers if I have my phone out. I should invest in an actual camera. Anyway, this dropped in December last year, so it technically isn’t the latest single by Astronate. It’s definitely my favorite that I’ve heard so far though, so that’s why I chose to write about this one. There’s also a really well done music video for it that Astronate directed himself, so that’s pretty awesome.
https://youtu.be/hCdQfTMWqUM?si=cWfiOzB-751aySSs
I love the production here. When the beat came in, the song kinda went in a different direction than I was expecting just based on the sample at the beginning. The heavy synth is what really makes this beat so excellent to me. The melody of the instrumental just sounds really great. The first verse is performed by cardigan, and they probably had my favorite verse. The reference to Papa John’s racist comments was pretty dope to me.
Papa John 'cause I don't like these niggas, y'all are dead to me
Told her bring some friends for me
Better call the guys, such a tender melody
I hit the spot, get ten a piece
Told 'em extra on the fries, they measuring, tryna get me fat
Dinin' wings and flats, get the chicken like a bowl of roosters
If Nate did the beat close your computer 'cause we holdin' shooters
Chokin' up on words, show my medulla, bro is empty
I'm gon' stop if y'all gon' let me
I really mess with cardigan’s fit in the music video too. The jewelry looks really dope. The second verse is performed by King Gino, who is the only performer on this track with whom I was completely unfamiliar prior to listening. I came away very pleased with his verse though.
All my cars black, hell yeah I discriminate
Across the table with some real bosses, not a dinner date
Carts on deck, different flavors like it's Minute Maid
Way I vacay, sunbathin' in my Fendi shades
Ice cold drink, cup wet from the condensate
Keep it real simple, I ain't never gotta complicate
Actualizing, man, my life look like an advertisement
Had to buy it, still sellin' dreams when I close my iris
I feel like he has a more immediately accessible flow than cardigan. If you’re not the type of listener who values lyricism then you may not love cardigan’s verse as much as I did. The flow is part of the appeal for me, but I wouldn’t use the word “catchy” to describe it. On the other hand, the short outro verse from Cloud Envy is easily the catchiest part of the whole track. I was hoping his performance would last longer than it did. It feels more like a hook than a verse. It’s still a really dope performance though. Overall, I enjoyed this song very much. Check the music video out and let me know what you think in the comment section below. I think it’s really dope.
https://focushiphop.com/2024/10/10/astronate-hutch-feat-cardigan-king-gino-cloud-envy-song-review/
