Logic has come a long way since he dropped his first Frank Sinatra-inspired mixtape, Young, Broke & Infamous, four years ago. Off the strength of that tape and the three others that followed it, he steady built up his fanbase, utilizing social media and the blogosphere to its fullest. At the same time, he's never quite crossed over to uber-mainstream appeal, despite signing a deal with Def Jam for his upcoming debut album Under Pressure. He's remained true to himself and his team-- Visionary Music Group. Equally, he's helped bring up his VMG team, including go-to producer C-Sick. Although he is still the most recognizable artist signed to the label, they continue to grow and expand their roster.
If you haven't opened up your ears to Logic yet, now's the time. His debut album Under Pressure is due out on October 21st, and is up for pre-order here. Wake up.
He compares himself to Frank Sinatra
He compares himself to Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra may be a stretch for the wave of 00's babies, but Logic uses him as a key source of inspiration for his movement. Sinatra was known to be one of the hardest working entertainers in the 1960’s and 70’s. His style was smooth, he had a way with bobbysoxers – what he (and Logic) called his female fans. Most importantly, he was often described as timeless. It's not often you see a rapper these days harken back to the '60s and '70s in terms of their movement and fanbase, so that alone is refreshing. Logic referring to himself as Young Sinatra either means he’s truly as classic as Sinatra himself, or he is working toward such prestige in his music, either way, the young rapper is an old soul.
He’s got confidence, but it's not over-the-top
He’s got confidence, but it's not over-the-top
Logic’s confidence isn’t only apparent in his aura but also his lyrics. At the same time, he isn't driven by ego, he still comes across as humble. In an on-air freestyle in 2011 he says,
“Goddamn, I’m one miraculous man/ and if I wasn’t then I would be his number one fan.”
Additionally, in an interview with Complex Magazine he pays homage to Robin Thicke but goes on to say, “he couldn’t even go gold for his album. He was at a venue in Los Angeles and couldn’t even sell it out—it was only a 2,000 count. I can do that with my eyes shut.”
He's well-spoken
He's well-spoken
Call me petty, but it's refreshing to watch an interview with a young man of our generation and hear meaningful words along with decent grammar come out of his mouth – did you hear how he described Frank Sinatra in the video below?
He's a producer too
He's a producer too
It’s something we’ve praised about J. Cole in the past and it shouldn’t be different for Logic. He co-produced the VERY HOTTTTT stereo banger "Driving Ms. Daisy" featuring Childish Gambino and many other tracks on his four mixtapes, proving he's got skills on the mic and the boards.
He's relatable
He's relatable
Growing up in Maryland, DC life for Logic wasn't what one would expect. His immediate family lived in low income housing, he witnessed his mother being abused, endured racism, and was surrounded by drugs and alcohol. His childhood story is unique yet universal, and something he's not afraid to tell fans about on wax.
He's a storyteller
He's a storyteller
Through his lyrics, Logic shares stories that paint the picture of his upbringing and experiences of being a young man on his from-nothing-to-something journey.
“I've fallen I've risen I chose to select to dismiss an incarnation through these bars created-a prison/ And I intend to do the time and the sentence that's given/ 25 to life yeah that's how I'm living/ Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever make it/ But there's only way I'm a know/ I'm like a seed planted in the dirt/ Feels like I've been waiting forever to grow/ And maybe today is the day/ And maybe tonight is the night/ But one thing that I know for sure/ This time I'm a get it right”
He's fan-friendly
He's fan-friendly
Logic’s number of social media-savvy followers may not be in the millions like some of his hip-hop contemporaries, but his fans are of substance considering Logic's buzz grew mostly through word of mouth. He calls them the Ratt Pack, "Ratt" standing for Real All The Time, and he interacts with them daily. His Twitter timeline is filled with fan retweets and fan photo-ops, so don't be shy to say hello to Logic if you see him in the streets. We can't say the same for other rappers out there.
At the same time, his fans reciprocate the love. He sells out his own tours, and when his Under Pressure debut album pre-order went up on iTunes, it reached #3 on the iTunes chart within 48 hours. He often gets worldwide trending topics going whenever he releases content, because that's how much love he has around the world.
He's lyrical
He's lyrical
Speaking of "Driving Ms. Daisy", the track is a play on the film "Driving Miss Daisy", except he’s the driver and Ms. Daisy is all of the accomplishments he’s mustered during his road to success. He expresses that somewhere along the way, the experience has gotten so crazy that he has a hard time remembering to enjoy it.
“Somewhere this shit dun' got crazy/ I've just been driving Ms. Daisy/ With my hands on the steerin' wheel/ And my eyes on the pavement/ I give a fuck bout where they went/ I owe my lawyer a payment/ They talkin' bout no arraignment/ Now I wonder where the rain went/ I just been all in my mind, homies tell me I'm stressing'/ I been countin' what's on my bucket list and not on my blessings/ I think it's time fo a lesson, hold up, ya betta pay attention/ I can't end up like my mama poppin' anti-depressants/ My therapist think I'm crazy, but shit, she probably does/ All that stress I'm under, I wonder why I don't do drugs/ Raised in a household full of killers and thugs/ Shit I've been in doubt so long, don't know who I was/ But I know who I am, yes, I know who I is/ Please pardon my grammar, Daisy vibin' with this/ I've just been drivin…”
He has big-name co-signs
He has big-name co-signs
While you shouldn't necessarily base your music solely off a co-sign, we have to admit, it does give a rapper a bit more credibility, and if anything, should push you a little further to check out the rapper in question.
Billboard described Logic as the "next big sound" in 2012 and he stood alongside Schoolboy Q in XXL’s Freshman Class in 2013. Also, in an interview with Hot 97’s morning show, Lupe Fiasco says he, along with others, are better lyricists than Kendrick Lamar (well, gahdamn). On the track “Welcome to Forever”, the Maryland native spits about the moment Nas recited a bar from “Numbers” when they met.
“At the penthouse poppin’bottles of that hundred thousand dollar wine/ I got the connect/ met ‘em through the grape vine…"
In addition to those co-signers, Grammy nominated producer No I.D., one of two official producers of his upcoming debut album Under Pressure, speaks highly of him and played a major role in getting him signed to Def Jam. No I.D. is known for producing classic records such as Common’s "I Used to Love H.E.R", Ye’s "Bound 2", and Jay Z's "D.O.A"/"Run This Town".
Plus: Childish Gambino, Big Sean and Kid Cudi all gave him their approval. Cudder even asked to tour with Logic.
He did it all independent & maintains creative control
He did it all independent & maintains creative control
Logic may have signed to major label, Def Jam in August 2013, but don't let that fool you. He's not controlled by any industry executives, and for the most part, he did his whole come-up solo, with assistance from the VMG crew. Although, yes, he is now signed to a major, he has still retained all of his creative control. It's obvious from his output, to his dope Under Pressure artwork to his social media, to his music videos. It's all Logic.