Rising singer/songwriter Maur Kii unveils his latest project MAURNB: THE YEAR WAS, a 6-track future R&B/trap-soul project that details an affair between the artist and a woman. The project is arranged in a way where each track gives audiences different parts of the story.
The project starts with “STREETS” a conceptual track that sees Maur personifying the streets whose allure draws a curious woman towards it. Over the moody and dark soundscape, Mauri cautions the lady with lines like “Please leave before the sun /‘Cause what you gonna do when he finds out/The streets got another one” and once the stage is set, the two are intertwined, leading to an emotional domino effect. Next is “4 THE WEEKEND,” a smooth, soothing future R&B sensual ballad that follows Mauri’s previous encounter in the “STREETS” as he awaits his weekend rendevous with the woman (we probably should call her the leading lady at this point). Here, Mauri is in his element once more, he sets the tone and promises to fulfill this woman’s dreams with all that he has. On the track, he is joined by fellow artist Wontel, who adds a distinct melodic run to the crisp soundscape.
As the rendezvous proceeds, “NAKED” gives audiences more insight into the reasons why the leading lady decided to spend the weekend with Mauri. Here, we get the full gist as she weighs her options, which include going back to her man, who is not doing much, or moving into a better situation with Mauri, and by the end of it, she chooses the latter. This leads to “DEEPER,” an aptly titled track that details what Mauri plans to do with his leading lady as she arrives and the two get down to business. The track’s production is crisp and embodies the classic R&B aesthetics comprising rich textures, soulful chords, and slapping bass-driven rhythms underpinned by pleasing melodic runs drenched in a bit of Autotune. No stone is left unturned as Mauri Kii explicitly states his desires. The track also features singer Aftrdrk who shares his intimate thoughts on what he would do with his love interest.
The EP ends with “OPTIONS” featuring Randy White and “WHO CRIES IN A MAYBACH?” These tracks continue with a change of events, with Mauri Kii reminding the leading lady of her role in this situationship. The former sees Mauri Kii ready to step out after a night of fun with his leading lady, but she wants to be by his side, but he is not having any of it. He embodies the spirit of a player who has options and nothing to lose. The track has a bright and upbeat bounce underpinned by Mauri Kii’s nonchalant melodic flows and candid lyrics that dive into his lifestyle. The track also underscores a bit of vulnerability on his part as he shows concern for the leading lady as she struggles to deal with what she has gotten herself into. The final “WHO CRIES IN A MAYBACH?” is where things hit the fan as both Mauri Kii and the leading lady have a heart-to-heart talk about their affair and where things should go as they depart for their respective abode. The track has a solemn and ethereal feel that adds tension to the emotional rollercoaster both parties are going through and when Mauri Kii sings “You know, you know not to fall” he continues to pacify the woman as she sullies herself with tears. In the end, everything comes to a screeching halt as the two go their separate ways.
As a conceptual project, MAURNB: THE YEAR WAS ticks all the boxes with a cohesive and progressive storytelling style that takes listeners from the beginning to the end. We get to hear the ups, in-betweens and the ultimate down with Mauri Kii. For what was supposed to just be a weekend of fun, turned into heartbreak and to some extent, regret.
Maur Kii started music at a young age, doing shows and participating in talent shows from 8th grade. After completing his freshman year at Rider University, a stint with the US Air Force and attaining a BSc in Bachelors in Entertainment Business and Associates degree in Music production at the Los Angeles Film and Recording School, he continued his music career by providing services such as sound engineering, writing and making music.
