Sam's Top 10 of 2017 #8

8.Go So Wrong-Second Hand King

First off I'd like to take a second to say that I saw this song played in my house and it was FUCKING AWESOME! Second Hand King is a hell of a dude people.

This song hit a little too close to home for me in terms of it's upbeat tone that it presents but it's rather sad subject matter of how something so good could possibly go so wrong which happened quite a bit more than I'd like to admit to in all honesty, “I could ever wonder how anybody could love a creature as cold blooded as me,” is but one of many examples of a lot of the lyrical sucker punches I often feel when I listen to a lot of SHK's more life focused relationship based tunes and this one felt the most real in a large sense and it's that undying reliability along with it's more R&B focused style that resonated to me because like my earlier post about Kendrick rap isn't a genre that completely resonates with me but it has it's merits and can emote something in me.

This is an excellent doo-whop cut which is showcasing King's continued venturing outside of his traditional rapping style to make what's an outright doo-wop track that sounds like some bad ass obscured cut you found rummaging through your parents old vinyl records and King's voice feels a lot more in control and well toned than you'd possibly expect which leads to a tune that hit close and was rotated plenty a night sober and drunk.

When I decided to reach out to SHK about this track this is what he had to say:

So what is the inspirations behind Go So Wrong?

Inspired by this time when a girl told me she was into me via a friend and I systematically destroyed her interest via my nonsense. It was a defense mechanism, in hindsight. I told her, via the friend, that she could only text me if she started each conversation with "turtles".

How was 2017 for you as a performer in terms of the music you wrote, released, and the performances you gave?

2017 was a reemergence for me. A lot changed at the beginning of the year, and I guess I just sort of found myself again near the tail end. March, I headlined the recordBar and that was a big piece of the puzzle for me. Kansas City supported me and I needed Kansas City. Also, I formed a band that I'm pretty excited about as well as started a side project with my friend Jesse from Sinple called Bad Dreamer.

What are your plans for 2018?

My plans are to perform. Hit the ground running, and release FRANKIE next year and something else that's sort of a surprise. All you need to know is you need to see me and my band The Lovers. ASAP. Right now. See us live. It's worth it. I promise.

-Second Hand King

Birthday Bash Featured Artist: Second Hand King

So now that we've had some time to get the news out there that I'm having a show at my place for my birthday I figured I'd take the time to write about some of the people kind enough to bless me with this wicked opportunity so without further ado here's my highlighted act of the week in anticipation for my birthday bash... 

Second Hand King

   

 Kansas City's own self professed Doo-wop rapper Second Hand King is one of many examples of and artist thinking outside the box with a style that blends two genre's of music that you never realized aren't that far apart in terms of how they actually flow you have an artist using samples and an overall style that's a refreshing change of pace. 

 I just have to highlight this cut from his upcoming concept album, Frankie “Go So Wrong,” a decidedly old school tinged straight up doo-wop number that's one of many a heartbreak themed tunes that this man seems to know how to just expertly craft, this snap along jam is one oddly addictive little number that's not so much an expression of master class vocals but rather an example of how delivery is everything and this songs blending of light rapping and a chorus that's so stupid simple that you can't help but think this songs pretty damn brilliant. 

 From what I've noticed this guy's really growing into his role and really making some genuinely interesting tunes that are showcasing some overarching story of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness and I'm starting to really enjoy this show. Aside from the tune above some other excellent cuts of his you should check out would be Cold Shoulder, Glass Houses, and my personal favorite Before the Bomb Drops and if you like what you hear you can of course see him at my birthday show and also at the Riot Room on September 9 as well as checking out the links to his various social media where you can maybe purchase some stuff from him. 

Social Media:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Youtube

Bandcamp

I also manage to find this interesting interview that I don't know who to credit beyond the channel itself that's also a good place to get to know this guy.

 Interview courtesy of Jamieson Edwards:

 

Song of the Day 9/27/16

Cold Shouler-Second Hand King

I can't lie I'm not a good judge of rap music because for lack of a better reason it's a genre that hasn't ever really clicked with me because of it's overly repetative nature, 5 minute plus song lenghts, and spoken word lryical delivery it's hard for me to completely sit through entire rap albums and have a lot of the songs get old pretty quick, but admittedly there's acts here and there that manage to strike a chord with me especially whenever they are increadibly angry in lryics or tone, using the genre to kind of deliver a message to people, or just kind of amuse me in a very relatable way and that's where this local act comes to mind.

Second Hand King is a local rapper that I've caught a few times here and there and pretty recently saw him perform at a gig in a rundown basement. Second Hand King refers to himself as a “Doo-Wop Rapper” because he likes to use old rhythm and blues and rock and roll songs from the 50's and 60's as samples for his tracks which give them a very laid back vibe along with pretty catchy sing along hooks that seem to not only be original but also sang by him and from what I can tell there aren't any vocal samples in his tracks and his lyrics range in content from things as serious as death to the more lighthearted side of being rejected and everything and anything inbetween and the track I've decided to highlight today is in the more lighthearted category.

“I wrote this for all the women in my life that hate me, i'm such an asshole,” I'm not going to lie that line kind of resonates with me to a degree along with seeing him go on a bit of a speil before he starts performing this song with one time in particular standing out because the theme of that night from what I can remember him saying is about how much a bastard he is and had been and I've been and am pretty much there more times than I care to admit myself dude and it's my own personal failures that make this track stick out to me with some amusing writing and delivery that's kind of reminiscent of an asher roth in it's kind of self deprivated style and semi-humerous lyrics like the line about how awesome it was to be in 4th grade which is a personal favorite of mine.

This track is fucking dope as hell people and seeing this guy perform in the most minimal of settings really gave this track a vibe that's hard to really match and I'm pretty sure I'll be on the lookout to see if this guy can continue to kill it night in and night out and if you can you should do the same.