It has been a bit longer than expected since the last time I wrote about 909Memphis, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t consistently been releasing hits, because quite the opposite has been happening, actually. While my last article on him might’ve been a couple of months ago, he has dropped off a slew of bangers that continue to top his previous offerings, which is high praise because his music is always top-notch and has been for the years he has been active in the industry.
As for his brand-new song “Stallion”, he recruits legendary artist Mexiko Dro to produce another hit for him, and although I’m admittedly not overly familiar with Dro’s work, it’s clear that the right decision was made. Mexiko creates an absolutely flawless foundation for Memphy through airy, prevailing synths that include taps and bells for percussive elements while pungent, impactful 808s elevate this offering. As it unfolds, you hear the plug ad-lib sprinkled in throughout, pointing out the fact that although it might be considered a plug beat which is a style that is familiar in the underground, it sounds very individualistic when compared to many of the other, more simplistic plug beats that have been used in the Hip-Hop world.
If you’re not familiar with Memphis, this song is a wonderful introduction because you truly get a feel for how unique and uncharacteristic his sound is, which is something I’ve gone into heavy detail in my multitude of previous articles regarding the Virginia native. As he gets into his first hook, you hear his tuneful voice ring through above and beyond the instrumental itself, complementing the lighthearted, carefree vibes that are present in the production. His words come of blithe and lifted, giving a hopeful and optimistic disposition that opposes some of his other music.
I say this because, in many other offerings, he discusses themes like struggles, heartbreak, and anguish, so hearing him talk about his constant grind and his understanding that all of his hard work is going to pay off is a breath of fresh air. Aside from this, his words can be often slurred together and under annunciated, but he makes sure that his message comes through loud and clear, never really mashing his lyrics together too much despite the various impressive cadences he rotates through in an impressively dominant manner. Even when he quickens his delivery in the verses, his melodious vocals shine bright despite the hastiness of his speech, and he continues to change the intonation of his voice in order to not only show off his variability but also keep you on your toes as to never expect what’s to come.
I’ve always been a fan of 909Memphis ever since I heard him at least 3 or 4 years ago, and he has continued to fine-tune his craft throughout the years, getting better and even more professional with each new offering he releases. While many artists can get stuck in a singular lane and never experiment or venture off on the beaten path, Memphy started out this way, always trying something new that leads to sounds that the average music listener has never even possibly heard from any other artist. Although his more recent songs have been slightly slower and more melodic, he has proven his dexterity in the past with a variety of different sounds including club bangers, Trap anthems, and everything in between, so if you think you have 909 figured out by now, you’ve got another thing coming. While I hope to see him go back to some of these faster, more upbeat records at times, there’s no denying his skills and talents after hearing a song like “Stallion”, so make sure you tune in as soon as you get a chance.