FR33SOL [Conscious Rap]
Looking for inspirational music filled with love, healing, and spiritual guidance? But you want beats that shake the pavement beneath you? Then look no further than Wakeel Thomas (aka FR33SOL), the newest rapper on the wave!
FR33’s lyrical substance is similar to the Beatles, who, have great music and all… but have certainly lost their appeal to our younger generations. For more than 40 years, rap music has been taking market share from rock music. Rap has surpassed rock in terms of streams, although rock festivals are still nearly three times more prevalent than hip-hop festivals worldwide. This disparity, combined with a growing number of both up-and-coming and aging hip hop artists, and the appeal to Gen-Z, has set the stage for hip-hop to continue to take over the world in the coming decade.
The world’s collection of music is immense and growing exponentially as recording equipment becomes more accessible with the advances in technology. Today, anyone with a working wage can buy a decent computer and microphone and start creating music for the world to hear. The entire musical landscape has changed significantly over the past few decades, with offshoots of sub-genres that are beyond your wildest imagination, as well as a growing trend of artists who refuse to be boxed into a single genre. Conscious music exists in all of these sub-genres, and the degree of consciousness is another important consideration. It’s a spectrum.
Conscious rap is a changing game with new evolutions and names. So often, as the artist grows in recognition, we see the conscious elements of their music fade. I’m thinking of Kid Cudi and Chance the Rapper here. The fame and money that comes with musical success presents an inflated ego (“more money, more problems”). An element that takes over the original inspiration and cuts off their ability to freely express themselves and their core values. Ego makes people do crazy things, including this hypocritical mid-career shift from being “anti-system” to becoming part of it. Chance the Rapper’s original fans were built around his strength to remain independent, which he lost when his music became “pop” and lost its powerful messages. I think we can all agree that this poison—the ego—is detrimental to our existence and our ability to thrive.
FR33SOL brings awareness to important issues of the day. Apocalypse Kids, for example, does an excellent job of reframing life for the younger generations: “[they say we were] doomed from the start. Prove them wrong; we aligning with the stars.” This line in particular made me feel better because it reframes our current problems as ones we’ve inherited. There’s nothing we can do except try to make it better, awaken our peers, and alleviate the suffering, but if we fail, it’s not our fault. This took the weight of the world off my shoulders and put me in a mental state where I could function and grow again. Although diamonds are formed under pressure (as we learn here), reducing the physical effects of that pressure is the way out of it; we must grow through what we go through.
How can you not love hooks like these?
“Infinite love from the source” (Infinite).
“Love on yourself; all by yourself” (Promis3).
FR33’s versatility in delivery ranges from trap-like rapping to gospel-like singing, providing a unique balance throughout his discography. His collaborative albums Source Gold and INFERNO, featuring Lavva and Earf, offer another sense of balance by alternating equal amounts of male and female vocals. This harmony is special because you don’t see it anywhere else in the vast realm of hip-hop. It’s R&B-esque while still bringing the fire.
Every part of FR33’s discography embodies the New Wave. From dark tales of painful growth to lyrics about passion, love, and abundance, as well as many other “new age” themes. Spirituality is the driving force behind his music. No matter where the journeys of his stories or groovy, bass-driven beats take you, FR33 always brings it back to a feel-good message about love and life… or loving life. These pure intentions to motivate you to be your best self will have you shouting positive affirmations out the window. Why listen to music from the fountain of poison, when you can drink from the fountain of love? Check out FR33SOL on Spotify and IG now!
