Artists who come up with their own unique take on a style of music are always people that I’ll appreciate, but when someone can borrow another artist’s previously released song and put their own individualistic spin on it, that’s when someone’s personality and skillset can truly shine. If they fail at bringing something new to the table on their remix or cover, it just won’t really gain any traction, but when they’re able to completely breathe new air into an amazing record, then that’s something that can almost speak more to their abilities than any other original record might be able to.
There’s just a familiarity that can comfort new listeners because they’ve heard a version of the track before, but there’s also this entirely new world of possibilities, so although covers might not always be my favorite, when they’re done as well as Taz Money did on his cover of H.E.R.’s song “Damage”, I am definitely going to show some love as soon as I can. While he brings his unapologetic confidence and fully encompassing swagger to a new style of music that he’s maybe not completely used to creating, newcomers would have no clue that he’s not an R&B superstar, and considering he’s someone I still need to learn more about, this was a track that definitely showed me his range and versatility as an up-and-coming talent.
At the same time, he brings things back to the streets just a bit in the Herve Mompoint-directed music video where he hits the town in some super fast, luxurious whips with his homies as he sings his bars with ease, bringing two different worlds together for a crossover that I never expected, but I surely appreciate. Taz Money may still be considered a rising emcee, but releases like this cover of “Damage” are surely going to continue turning heads moving forward, and I absolutely can’t wait to see what else he has coming out in the future.