By: Paul K. Barnes
Calebdoee is an artist who prides himself on the intentionality and interconnected themes of his raps. His previous project, Corleone: Part II, reflects this, taking inspiration from the Godfather film series. However, for his latest project, an EP titled VOL 1., The Leftovers, Calebdoee wanted to dial the complexities back a little, make some tracks for the summer, and try some new things with production.
One of the most interesting things about VOL 1: The Leftovers is that all three tracks sound different. Calebdoee excels in all three lanes he explores. This project is also special because it marks his return to working with his day-one producers, and they all committed to doing new and creative things to surprise listeners while still giving them a sense of comfort with music fit for the summer.
“I wanted to slow things down and have a little bit more fun with these songs. The last time I did summer-centric music was four years ago with a mixtape called Parkin Lot Playaz, which dropped in July. I wanted to get back to that feeling. These are fun, upbeat songs that still have substance to them,” he said.
The opening track, titled “PSA,” samples one of the most well-known artists of the modern day, Tame Impala. As a longtime fan, he found it an honor and a fun challenge to get on the sample and put a different spin on it. Taking the piano chords from the track “My Old Ways,” Calebdoee and his producer T-Zank used them to create an atmospherically dominant yet reflective track for him to talk about how he’s moving through the world and how people around him are responding to it.
The middle track, “YOU&ME,” has a truly cinematic origin story, as Calebdoee wrote it while watching the ’90s classic movie Love Jones. Naturally, this track is more intimate than what his listeners are used to, but it sits right at home in the tranquility of a summer evening. This track also serves as a preview of what’s to come for Calebdoee, who has plans for R&B-leaning music.
“I had already started working on the song with some bits and pieces that were inspired by a love letter I had written. I watched the movie Love Jones, and while I was watching, more inspiration came to me, and I just weaved everything together,” he said.
The final track, “Brooklyn, USA” is where the summer vibes are at their strongest. With a sample from René & Angela from their song “I Love You More,” which was also used by Biggie and JAŸ-Z for their song “I Love the Dough,” producer Talen Ted and Calebdoee crafted a track that would sit comfortably in a playlist of summer party songs from yesterday and today. It’s the track that could bring new ears to his music by combining the undeniable grooves of the past with his talents of the present.
“Biggie and JAŸ-Z are my two favorite rappers, and they’re from Brooklyn. I was listening to a MC Lyte freestyle, and she’s from there too. I just wanted to pay homage to them because I admire the drive, mindset, and success of people from there. I’d been waiting to get on a beat like this and was elated to finally be able to,” he said.
Even though this project is called VOL 1., The Leftovers, Calebdoee has lots more music on the way, and his listeners are going to be eating good in the very near future.
You can tap in with more of Calebdoee’s music by keeping up with him on these platforms.
The Starlight PR Team thanks Calebdoee for taking the time to speak with us.
“YOU&ME” is out now and available to stream on all major platforms.
