Few things are better than when an artist opens up and puts their life on wax. In a world full of artists and people in general being fake, the real will always be appreciated. Up and comer artist Rian Green gives us his life on his record The Lost Majority. Rian calls it an EP, but it’s 14 tracks full of boom bap story telling hip hop. Rian gives his personal testimony since coming to Christ and gives us his flaws and victories. Buckle up for the ride on Rian Green’s ‘The Lost Majority.’
Rian starts off the project with “Chicken and Eagles,” which was a single as well. This song sounds like a sample of a country or blues guitar riff. He has a good flow and doesn’t try to force his words. He skates on this beat. This is a great introduction to Rian and his life, as he talks about rising above circumstances. Track 2 “Beautiful” featuring Sir Cleophas is a very boom bap track that speaks about life being hard, but with God it’s beautiful. The third song “A.R.G (My Dear Love)” starts off with a muffled soul sample very spacey, trials and tribulations seems to be the theme of the track. “Rather build up my neighbor cause hate is too demanding” is a dope line from the track. Rian pours out his heart on his track and the last part of the song he gives his daughter a whole bunch of life advice.
Next is “Six’12” feat. NoKiiid, Rian gives us some of his deepest and darkest thoughts with this particular song. Rian cites Ephes 6:12 as he talks about falling short even though he trying, even thoughts of suicide and depression have tried to overwhelm him. Rian cranks it up with “Take this city (Acts 1:8)” featuring Cold Front, as he speaks to taking the city for Christ. The sixth song on this project is “The Ebb and Flow” and I love the way it starts with the drums and a muffled sample, synths makes this song sound so smooth and melodic. Life mimics the ebb and flow of the tide. People come and go things go from good to bad and back again, but if Christ is the foundation, you can stand this ebb and flow. That’s the premise of the song.
Halfway through the project we have “Message.” A sample loops repeating “somebody told me to deliver this message” and then the beat drops and Rian starts spitting. Rian just speaks to all sorts of real life situations that are very relatable and encourages people not to give up on their dreams. He encourages his listeners to keep on living this thing called life. I love how he lets the beat ride out for almost a minute. Song number 8 “Don’t Never Change” is a good reminder to stay true to yourself and leads into “Rest (Interlude).” Track number 10 “Shine Your Light” featuring Vino is reminiscent of the 90s, very upbeat and sounds like Rian is going to tell us life will be ok. Stand out and shine your light is the premise of the song. Vino delivers a very heartfelt plea to the Lord on his guest verse.
As we round the corner on the final few songs, we have “Since When,” which sounds so boom bap and very uplifting and encouraging. LOVE the drums on this. The next track, “Endless Love” brings sublime instrumentation. The samples and hard hitting drums sounds like an old love song you can’t quite put your finger on. Rian just spills out his love and gratefulness for having the love of Jesus in his life. “Heart” is chock full of Jazz influences; hear the word “searching” over and over again. Then per usual, Rian spills his heart on the track and I really like the things he touches on. “Get me neck up out that noose/ can’t judge another brother cuz three fingers point at who?” “Check the heart, free what’s dealt/ the minor things show the most in detail” are some of my favorite bars on the entire project. The final track is a bonus track, “Meta (Bonus Track)” and Rian just glides on this song as he goes in. It’s a good song but honestly the project ended for me at “Heart.” The bonus track was just that; a little dessert served alongside a 3 course meal.
This project from Rian Green is so open, it’s borderline uncomfortable. Rian is like that person you meet in public for the first time, but he tells you his whole life story. Well he does it over music, so it’s a lot less awkward and he ends the project on a positive note. The subtitle for the “EP” is “A.R.G.” A Rose Grew and we see Rian growing as he faces his life after becoming a Believer. He is budding and poking through the concrete, and I for one can’t wait to see what he blossoms into.
