“Preacher’s Son” is the refreshing, southern sound coming from Tut of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The newcomer reps The House, Chat’s premier music group starring the likes of Isaiah Rashad, The Antydote, Michael Da Vinci, and Chris Calor. But, it was KToven that took care of the majority of the production of the album which also features live instrumentation from various musicians of The House Band, rumored to be Tut’s touring band. This album is an excellent balance of southern bounce, jazz instrumentation and storytelling. The combination of these genres have become something of a rarity in today’s hip hop. This sound also comes from a southern rap scene that is slated with heavy hitting new comers like Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan, and Migos. The House definitely represents alternative southern rap holding its own, much like Outkast of the late 90s.
Tut’s flows throughout the album are seamless (as he doesn’t write). The entire album was done by memory. This technique blends well with Ktoven’s style of smooth, easy listening instrumentals. The combining of heavy yet bouncy bass lines, incorporated with live saxophones, pianos, and a sample here brings us a stroke of genius. And yet, the album loses nothing of its soulful sing-song feel, characteristic of the south.
The potency of the lyrical content and metaphors are stellar throughout the album. He tells of being a problem child in nostalgic sense. “Ain’t yo dad a preacher? What you doing smoking reefer, hangin out with the thugs and Gs?” he vocalizes in single Hangin’. He also discusses
that though he was a preacher’s child, he couldn’t ignore the problems of the city that surrounded him. He would soon partake in the life he was raised to be better than. “Damn I miss my parents, where’s that I weed I’m talking of. What we did was illegal but that dough we made came in clutch.” Tut raps in Bad Guys. Tut generally speaks to the 19-24 year old that is trying to make sense of life. He also tells of his family not being as “holy” as one would presume. This was made clear in songs like Corner Stories pt1 in which he raps, “Remember sitting in my uncle kitchen, I was 8 though. He was cooking up a little something for the pesos.” That song features longtime friend and The House rapper Michael Da Vinci. Tut grew up in a neighborhood that grew increasingly rough as he himself grew up as well. His father being a preacher, his uncle selling drugs, all while surrounded by growing crime rate in Chattanooga and he tells the story in a captivating way.
On the flipside of the coin, the album also entails many uplifting songs that preach being proud of who you are. At the same time, these songs acknowledge the bad that does happen along the way of finding yourself. Tracks like Highs & Lows, produced by Junia T, feature an encouraging hook encourages perseverance. The song also ended with a classic southern style deep voicing. “Ease yo mind easy hoes come a dime a dozen. Free ya mind, tell yo plug you need a dime or something,” Tut raps. Living on the Sun is an all seasonal banger. It has a more soulful feel that features vocals from Angel Mae. She offers a soft distinct voicing over Tut’s own melodic tones. The song feels like both a winter sun rise and a summer sun set.
All in all, Preacher’s Son delivers the message of believing in oneself to make the right decision. Though you may stray from the path your family sets for you, don’t discredit your own story. Expect to hear great things from Tut and Ktoven for years to come. The album is available on SoundCloud, and a deluxe version is available for purchase on Tut’s own website.
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