Independent artist Jahan Nostra pays homage to 90s hip-hop in his new single "Dedication." The feel-good track is produced by Australian-born/Chicago-based producer Buda Bap Beats, who craft a horn-laden jazzy backdrop for the emcees to wax lyrical on their love for hip-hop and its foundations.
Nostra sets it off with his bass-heavy vocals and reflects on how the hip-hop culture impacted his childhood. This is followed by rapper Tahmell, (who is actually the son of the Legendary Rakim), and lastly, veteran Massachusetts emcee REKS, closes it out with an insightful and vivid verse. The track displays some of the artists’ superb storytelling and lyricism throughout, and it is inclined to bring listeners back to a time when hip-hop was about rushing to hit the record store to get music from your favorite rapper, listening to it over and over, and aspiring to become a great rapper.
The visual shot by NJ-based director Kay The Kreator, captures the trio's performance styles in all their glory and blends them with bright engaging aesthetics and cut scenes that seamlessly flow into one another. The video features not only the “Dedication” single but 40 seconds of Jahan Nostra’s 1994 single, “The Ultimate,” which was recorded in his early teens.
In other news, the video was screened at the 2021 Golden Door International Film Festival and it scored a Best Music Video win. It also won an award at the 2021 Urban Mediamakers Festival in Atlanta and a Best Music Video Nominee at the 2021 Hip-Hop Film Festival in New York.
The track will be featured on Jahan’s upcoming Violet Skies, a three-part EP series that will feature appearances from Ché Noir, Blu, and Masta Ace who appear on a remix to “Dedication.”
Growing up between Stamford, CT and Mount Vernon, NY, Jahan Nostra developed a love for music from a young age. With inspiration from fellow Mount Vernon natives Sean “Diddy” Combs, Heavy D, and Pete Rock, he pursued a career as a recording artist in his teens. At the age of 13, he signed with BMX Entertainment, and started his independent grind with collaborative partner, Kyro while in high school. Since 2012, Jahan Nostra has released 3 albums, collaborated with the legendary Smif-N-Wessun, Hakim Green (Channel Live), Tone Trump, and Ceschi.
Get "Dedication" on Spotify.
Photo Credit: Andrew Binger for R.O.C. Photography. Styled by Tiffany Salas.
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