Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
Share
BALTIMORE, MD – Many people who live in and around Baltimore, Maryland know it for its unfortunate nickname, “Murdaland.” It’s a name that stems from its extremely high crime rate and a homicide rate that puts its capital city, Baltimore, among the most dangerous cities in the world. But East Coast artist Alex Fraze is on a mission to help his hometown have a different reputation, one that embraces love. His latest EP, “Lover and a Fighter,” is a project that pays homage to Michael Jackson, one of his biggest influences. MJ was known for saying he was a lover, not a fighter, but Fraze said he’s flipping it to say that he’s a lover and a fighter because he has deep love and passion inside him, but his music and energy is intense. It’s a project that comes with a lot of passion and good vibes that Fraze describes as “very wavy,” while also showcasing how much of a fighter he is when it comes to things he wants in life and things he’s passionate about.
“I feel like I strive to bring older elements of music back into today’s sound,” Fraze said. “I feel like a lot of today’s sound is very manufactured – that’s just my opinion. And I want to create choruses that really connect with people and music that makes you feel. I want my sound to be infectious. You don’t even have to know the language of what you’re listening to, but you can feel it. That’s the kind of passion I came with on this project. It’s very wavy and really explores a lot of love situations.”
The standout single he’s highlighting from the EP is “Bonnie.” It’s a song that Fraze said highlights the perception of someone engulfed in a toxic relationship. The story of the song is about having a girl by your side who is toxic at the same time. Fraze said “Bonnie” is an archetype that he uses to describe that kind of woman.
“The woman is in your face in love and shows a false sense of transparency and trust, but has a different motive and intention,” he said. “It’s ironic because the original ‘Bonnie,’ who is the counterpart of Clyde (an infamous couple that banded together to commit crimes around the country in the 1920s), was his true love until their last breath. The title ‘Bonnie’ was chosen because of the fact that she shows the traits of a loyal ‘stay down’ woman, but is the complete opposite at heart.”
Fraze said the inspiration for the story cam from real events in his own life. He was wrapped up in a toxic relationship for a while and was jaded by feelings he had for her. He said he viewed her as a “Bonnie” and put her on a pedestal.
“I used that experience to channel how I felt in that time to create the lyrics and vibe of the song,” he said. “The instrumentation of the music is the opposite of the message in the song. The wavy chords and 808s give the song a relaxed, laid-back energy. Groovy is the best way to explain it.”
Fraze said the production was the most important factor in the process of creating the song. He said he wanted to give listeners two different vibes. When listeners hear the instrumentals, he hopes they feel a sense of tranquility. But when they listen to the words and are able to digest and understand their deeper meaning, he hopes they appreciate the illusion the message is portraying.
“The beat sounds very wavy, but the deep message in the song evokes a feeling of being stuck on someone and their toxic tendencies,” Fraze said.
Another standout single from the project is “I Was Your Worst,” which is about recognizing the mistakes you’ve made in a relationship and vowing to do better in the future. The hook of the song says, “You was my best and I was your worst. I move like some trash, this love got your soul on hurt.” Fraze said it’s a song that’s a little more groovy than the rest, and as such will definitely stand out as one of the premiere tracks.
Ultimately, Fraze said he wants his music to serve as a kind of “renaissance” for the music industry. He wants to bring something new and something that adds to the evolution of music and the direction it’s heading.
“I want to shift the game a little bit,” he said. “I take inspiration from a lot of the greats – like James Brown and Michael Jackson and Sam Cooke – and create music that is psychedelic and sets a mood. My drive is to be a pioneer in the industry and to innovate a new lane of sound.”
To listen to Alex Fraze’s music, or to follow him on social media, please visit the following links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexfrazeofficially/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003255915314
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexfraze14?lang=en
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/alex-fraze
Share
Advertisement
AL99 (pronounced “Al nine-nine”) is an artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist on a mission to do more than just make music for people to listen to. He wants people to get inspired and motivated by it. He wants to be an example for young people and show them that being authentic leads to success. His latest track, “Addictive Visions" features Aisha Hall of Yapp City Music/Ghostface of Wu Tang, and demonstrates his desire for new experiences by achieving his goals through not only his music but all of his entrepreneurial endeavors.
Written in 2025, “Addictive Visions” is a laidback rap track with an entrancing melody where AL99 and Aisha Hall bring different flows but both discuss what they want and what they’re trying to achieve. AL’s flow is more relaxed but still confident as he slides from his verse to the hook. Meanwhile, Aisha Hall brings her confidence to the forefront with her verse which packs a punch but keeps the relaxed atmosphere of the track intact.
“I’m trying to see things I’ve never seen before. I’m trying to go places I’ve never been before. And I want to do that through the music path I’m on.” he said.
AL99 wants to lead by example through the authenticity in his music. And with that authenticity, comes diversity in the booth and in the boardroom. He’s earned degrees in Audio Production and Music Business and releases music through his company, TPC (To Progress the Culture) Music Production, whom he has a distribution deal with via Universal Music Group/Bungalo. He wants people to see that he’s an example of how to navigate the music world on your own terms by making the business decisions that are best for your music and everyone else on your team.
The diversity continues on the music side too with AL99 being a fan of music of all kinds and wanting young people to be inspired to live their truth and be themselves. As a multi-instrumentalist he plays the guitar, drums, and keyboard, giving himself a wide-ranging musical ear. This comes in handy not only when he produces his music but when he mixes and sometimes masters it too.
AL sees himself as a voice for those who may not have one because he himself was once the child that was interested in things that were not as popular with his peers. With age came the confidence to fully embrace these interests and now he’s built a career on musical diversity.
“I’m trying to bring something new to the industry. I feel like today people are more open to that in the rap world because people are starting to stray away from what we’ve been seeing for years. They’re embracing the new creative ways people are doing things and I’m a part of that.” he said.
With AL99 pursuing multiple paths that branch out from his music, motivation to keep moving forward is key. Motivation comes from his love of music and his love for sharing his journey in real time while people witness it with him. He feels as he grows in life his audience is growing along with him and they’re navigating life together. And the through line for this is his aforementioned authenticity and accountability.
AL99 has big plans for the future which include expanding his TPC brand and making movies since he already takes a cinematically intentional approach to his music. In addition to more music, he’s also got something special and unique planned to truly illustrate his story but listeners will have to stay tuned to see more about that.
“Addictive Visions” by AL99 featuring Aisha Hall is available on streaming services now.
You can see more of AL99’s authenticity and journey by keeping up with him on these platforms.
LinkTree | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok
The Starlight PR Team thanks AL 99 for taking the time to speak with us.
Tap in and stream “Addictive Visions” now!
Share
Advertisement
