Hip-Hop has changed a lot in the course of the last decade, and it is yet to show signs of slowing in its rapid transformation. The genre-blending that has occurred within Hip-Hop and Rap music in recent years has left me as a fan craving a more genuine and authentic style of rap. Something that resembles the sound that I grew up loving, but isn’t afraid to push the envelope and explore new territory musically. When listening to some new tracks over the weekend, I came across a buzzing artist named Saige Wolley, and he is doing just that. The 23-year-old artist from the Pacific Northwest is surprising listeners with his debut album Two Summers and has been gaining a lot of traction from the hit single titled “Back Porch.”
Growing up in Northeast Portland, Saige Wolley knew from an early age about his love for music. Inspired by classic Hip-Hop artists like Nas and Tupac, he was exposed to raw and honest storytelling and began writing his own poems, short stories, and music as a young kid. Finding a creative outlet and way to express himself gave him the proper groundwork to begin taking music seriously and releasing his own music officially at the age of 18. Spending some time to develop his sound he released multiple singles and some collaborations from 2018- 2022 before settling down to create the album that would become Two Summers.
Two Summers is Saige Wolley’s debut album, and it is nothing short of exceptional. With consistent energy across the project, he still manages to show his versatility as an MC. Finding the happy middle ground between consistency and variety is something that a lot of artists struggle with throughout their careers, and Saige Wolley seems to have mastered this aspect already. Opening the album up with his classic sound that fans of Saige Wolley would be familiar with, he shows a lot of growth in his tone and projection with his voice. Quickly transitioned into “Back Porch,” which is my favorite song on the project. Nostalgic lyrics and consistent flows immerse the listener instantaneously. A hard-hitting drum line paired with an ethereal synth pad makes for an extremely groovy production, simple yet very well executed.
The Hip-Hop scene in Portland, Oregon, has had very little national spotlight up to this point, but with new up-and-coming artists like Saige Wolley, there is hope. Real conscious rap music comes from self-expression that is based on storytelling. Two Summers is an album unlike any other music coming out of the city of Portland. A unique sound that you can tell Saige Wolley has been perfecting for multiple years. If you are a fan of real rap music I suggest you give Two Summers by Saige Wolley a listen on Spotify or any platform that you listen to music on. As 2022 continues and we near the Summer months be on the lookout for more new music from this upcoming star. Something tells me this is only the beginning. Follow Saige Wolley on Instagram, and listen to his music on Spotify.
Opinions expressed by NY Weekly contributors are their own.
