What you should know is that this new music sounds good. No- the music sounds incredible. It is real, transparent, and easy to resonate with as a being who pursues Christ within myself and all things. Deshawn White is a superstar on the rise that is for sure, and his productions come from his heart and soul. I have listened to “The Trailer: Based on a True Story,” and I can hear that he delivers his truth to us out of love and wholeness.
As you also may know, White created a song called ‘Control’ for the recent release of the Spider-Man: No Way Home film on December 17, 2021. This song was written as a tribute to the film, specifically to honor Spider-Man and “No Way Home.” This impressive work in the mainstream means well for Deshawn’s career- he is building out a beautiful world, and it speaks to his growth as a man and artist. With just one album out on digital streaming platforms, released in 2015, this amazing creator has clearly been working hard in between time and is about to grace us with some much-needed light as we continue adjusting to, and protecting ourselves from the coronavirus.
What It Sounds Like
“The Trailer: Based on a True Story” sounds like underground Christian hip-hop at its finest. And I use the term underground to exaggerate the rawness in the vocals this man carries. His soul is without a doubt in his music, and I am one for that. I can appreciate an artist whose passion is music. Any person with ears can hear that music is Deshawn White’s passion, and I do support him.
The album opens with “Intro,” a melancholic instrumental, which sounds like a mini movie filmed around his Tennessee stomping grounds. I fell in love fast. The artistry was on point-White did a beautiful job getting my attention immediately. Next on the masterpiece is the humble beast “Burn.” Deshawn went-off on this track, he did. He is acknowledging darkness and light, haters and lovers, and his determination to keep shining his light in the midst of it all. He rhymes over beats that are professional and tough, street, but approachable. I can turn my lip up and curl my brow at the beats and relate to his rhymes.
Take the song “Trayvon” for example. That song was released as a single in June of 2020- further proving not only Trayvon’s rightful prominence, but the heavy issue of fear of being yet another [young brown] person gunned down by a supposed protector of the people. The beat for this song sounds like it’s crying a bit, while the rapper sounds like he is standing up for an entire people. I have never met Deshawn in person, but I feel I have met him through his music.
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights
“We don’t wanna be Trayvon / We don’t wanna be Trayvon, no”
The above-mentioned lyrics come from “Trayvon,” and stood out to me because these are frequent words in the heads of many young men who fear being another Trayvon, Briana, Floyd, Castile, Sterling, Garner, Rice, etc. These names and numbers of names are real, and it is nice that Deshawn White took the time, from his heart, to create such a great song that should never die.
“One cop yells ‘Knife! / One cop yells ‘Shoot!”
From the same song “Trayvon,” these lyrics indicate something being misconstrued or miscommunicated whether it be ill-intended or not, it results in the fatal shooting of someone. That is not great, because if a family knows their kin to be a certain way, they will know if their kin’s death was justified. They will still be upset, but they will know. As it turns out, miscommunication and misconstruing- whether it be with ill-intent or not, it puts fear out into the collective mind, shielding hearts and making more barriers and separation. We need unity and love, from the spirit made manifest. With music coming from heartfelt, intentional artists like Deshawn, our world can continue to move towards balance and harmony.
“Confidently confident, I rise above the hate”
And lastly, but not the least. Taken from the song called “Diamond;” this lyric feels biblical, testimonial and it speaks to why his music and delivery is so anointed. There are other lyrics that tell of being able to help homies rise, being a visionary, and being faithful through the hard times as well, but these are essential to establishing and maintaining balance and harmony.
Standout Tracks
Standout tracks on “The Trailer: Based on a True Story” are as follows:
“Blood in the Water” - This is track number four on the extended play, and it presents well in the sequence. He released it in January 2021, and it’s been starred a fan favorite on Apple Music. I sincerely appreciate White’s independence here; he showcases his uniqueness, fearlessness, and ultimately his love for Christ. This is a good anthem for Godfidence. I feel such strength and courage when listening to this song.
“Trayvon” is another standout track, because of its timelessness. Trayvon Martin died in 2012 and became a real significant wake-up call for many. The release of Deshawn's single with the same first name as Trayvon must have made Trayvon Martin’s soul smile. Listening to “Trayvon,” it sounds like Deshawn has a divine covering to send a message that we still have miles to go for true unity. But the wonderful thing is that we are realizing it and moving towards it. Good music like this helps us with that major change.
“Sauce Inme,” is a very surprising hype track coming from Deshawn White. He encourages himself in the hooks, tells you why he deserves to be where he is in the verses, and has a pretty laid-back feature to emphasize the sauce and steelo. This song is fast, seemingly short- but the hooks are repetitive, which makes it really a nice mainstream club banger. I can hear other artists remixing this song, with his permission of course, in the future.
For Fans Of
Lecrae, Mali Music, Lil Wayne, Jaden
Final Thoughts: Highly Recommended
I highly recommend “The Trailer: Based on a True Story - EP.” This music is new, it’s fresh, it’s real and it’s not a lie. Coming from, not just an artist who recently earned a song on the Spider-Man: No Way Home major playlist; but, a man who has worked hard to stand where he is today, sharing his jewels of wisdom and understanding. Yes, the music sounds remarkable, smooth and tip-top, and even more- the words he uses on top of the music can really help to change the course of someone’s life.
Gospel Songs By Lee Hawkins Vol. 1 | Posted July-23-2021
What It Sounds Like:
'Gospel Songs Vol. 1 By Lee Hawkins' is a compilation album produced, arranged and composed by Hawkins, a songwriter/singer who is also known as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. The songs, which feature several young, rising singers from as far away as Ireland and Jamaica, feature a variety of genres and styles, from Gospel House and songs featuring Gospel Choirs, to Worship & Praise, Contemporary Christian and unplugged piano-only versions of Hawkins’ songs.
While the album consists mostly of Gospel-sounding songs, it highlights Hawkins’ versatility as a songwriter, demonstrating that even more than singers, songwriters and producers who possess the ability to create across genres can exercise that option more freely.
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights:
One of the songs with deeply spiritual lyrics is “The Kingdom’s Come,” featuring Ryan Whyte Maloney from Season 6 of the hit television show, The Voice. The song, dedicated to Hawkins’ grandfather and father, is about a man in hospice coming to terms with his immortality. The song “We’ve Come to Praise Him (Gospel House Remix)” is a remix of Lee Hawkins’ “We’ve Come to Praise Him (Service Starter) on the album.
Watch Video On YouTube
Best Song On The Record:
The best most emotionally moving song is “The Kingdom Come.” People should listen to it, either version, because it offers us all a reminder that for Christians, an earthly death only means that life has begun. It is a powerful and comforting song for anyone who is going through grief and wants to find a way to put their loved ones’ death into clearer perspective.
For Fans Of:
Andrae Crouch, Walter Hawkins, Kirk Franklin.
Final Word:
Hawkins has always been inspired by gospel music that can meet people where they are. Whether people are at home hanging out with their family on a Friday night or partying with their friends in a club, Hawkins want to be able to reach everybody. Growing up, the elders in the church often balked at people dancing to gospel music, especially to songs with a secular feel. But this is Hawkins protest to that notion. He grew up on Kirk Franklin and listening to a lot of House Music and hip-hop, and so Hawkins never really conformed or followed those traditional expectations and limitations. That’s probably why Hawkins was attracted to playing the drums in church services, because he always loved to catch those Deacons and Deaconesses and Sunday School teachers who told him to keep it traditional bobbing their heads and moving side to side to his beats. Hawkins always wanted to find a way to get people out of their seats.
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