Lil Nas X Delivers An Eclectic, Multi-Genre Album With "7"

BY Erika Marie 14.9K Views
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The diverse record will appeal to a wide range of audiences.

Proving that he's more than his "Old Town Road" single, Lil Nas X released his debut EP early Friday morning. There have been many conversations regarding whether or not he would be able to sustain a career following becoming an international phenomenon. On 7, Lil Nas X shows varying musical sides to himself, letting his audience know that he's not going to move forward conventionally as an artist.

His track "F9mily (You & Me)" is a pop-emo single that is reminiscent of early 2000s Fall Out Boy. "Panini," much like it's recently released music video, is futuristic, while "Rodeo" with Cardi B sees Lil Nas X return to his "Old Town Road" roots as the New York rapper brings aggressive energy to the track. "Bring You Down" brings that 2000s rock vibe again, this time leaning on a sound similar to that of Interpol circa 2002.

His name may include "Nas," but anyone expecting to hear a hip hop album with 7 will be disappointed. However, Lil Nas X delivers a record that stays honest to himself as an artist and is a great debut for someone who many thought would be shut out before releasing his first record. In an interview with Apple Beats 1 Lil Nas X said, "This EP is going to get everybody ready for this album that's coming later- it can be 20 songs a day, and then it'll be like, 'Oh, 35?' And then I'll be like, "'h, wait, oh, I like these ones. I like this one now. Oh, this is like 27 songs.' And it's like, nah. But a lot of songs I go in with the intent of finishing, so if I feel like I might want to finish making a song while I'm listening to the beat I'm just like, 'Cut the whole thing,' pretty much."

Tracklist

1. Old Town Road (Remix) ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
2. Panini
3. F9mily (You & Me)
4. Kick It
5. Rodeo ft. Cardi B
6. Bring You Down
7. C7osure (You Like)
8. Old Town Road


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.