top of page
Halftone Palm Trees

PLAN-A RADIO

SONG REVIEW CRITERIA

Updated: Jul 21, 2023


ree

In an industry dominated by male voices, emerging talents like Ms. Official are breaking barriers and showcasing their skills on the mic. With a unique perspective and an undeniable knack for selecting great beats, Ms. Official has the potential to make a significant impact on the rap scene. Let's delve into one of her songs, "Like This," and explore the elements that make her a force to be reckoned with.


From the moment the first verse drops, it becomes evident that Ms. Official possesses a natural gift for delivering her flow. She is sharp. With each line, she weaves a fun narrative, offering listeners a glimpse into her life and experiences. While there is room for growth in terms of refining her mixing, Ms. Official's potential shines through, leaving no doubt about her dedication to the craft.


One of the standout qualities of "Like This" is her infectious hook. The chorus of this track is nothing short of captivating, effortlessly embedding itself in the listener's mind. The melody is infectious, providing a satisfying balance between being instantly memorable and creatively intriguing. Ms. Official understands the importance of a strong chorus, and her knack for creating earworms bodes well for her future success.


You cannot discuss Ms. Official's potential without acknowledging her impeccable beat selection. The beat for "Like This" matches her style, enhancing the impact of her words. The beats she raps over are often well-crafted, with a blend of hard-hitting drums, hypnotic melodies, and unexpected sonic elements. The production quality could be improved, but this will only further ensure that Ms. Official's voice remains the centerpiece while allowing the beats to create an immersive sonic landscape. It's clear that Ms. Official possesses an intuitive understanding of the synergy between her flow and the production she selects.


Ms. Official has undeniable potential. Her skillful delivery, sharp lyricism, and infectious hooks demonstrate her ability to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. By further honing her craft, refining her vocal technique, and exploring different styles, Ms. Official has the potential to become an influential figure in the world of female rap. As she continues to develop and evolve, we can only anticipate the greatness that lies ahead.


Distrokid (and other links): Linked here


Ink, 2023


 
 
 

ree

Tallant Don is an artist with a unique style and sound, and his single, "Way Out," is a representation of his journey as a musician. While the song showcases his potential, it also highlights areas where he could use some improvement.


From the first beat, Tallant Don sets the tone for a personal and reflective song. "Way Out" features a simple hook and a driving beat that immediately draws the listener in. However, the lyrics lack depth, and the rhymes feel forced at times. It's clear that Tallant Don has talent, but he could benefit from working on his songwriting skills.


As the song progresses, Tallant Don delves deeper into his experiences and struggles. Also listed on his Spotify, his song "Just Like Bros" is another track featuring introspective lyrics about society. The production on this track is top-notch, with a haunting melody that perfectly complements Tallant Don's vocals.


Another highlight of his Spotify is "Refuse," a ballad that showcases Tallant Don's range. The lyrics are heartfelt and relatable, as he speaks about pressure and the pain of unfulfilled aspirations. However, the track is marred by an overly simplistic lyrics that fails to do justice to the emotion in the beat arrangement.


While Tallant Don has his flaws, there's no denying that he has put in a great deal of effort into his artistry. The production throughout his songs are consistently high-quality, and Tallant Don's delivery is confident. With some fine-tuning and a bit more experimentation, he could develop into a truly exceptional artist.

One area where Tallant Don could improve is in his songwriting. While there are moments of brilliance on the album, there are also moments where the lyrics feel generic or uninspired. If he can push himself to dig deeper and write more from the heart, he could take his music to the next level.


Overall, this is a solid delivery from Tallant Don, showcasing his potential as an artist. While there's room for improvement, it's clear that he has put in the work and has the talent to succeed. With a bit more polish and a willingness to take risks, Tallant Don could go on to do great things in the music industry.


Ink, 2023


 
 
 

ree

West LA's own Antoine Upshaw-Marshal, better known as Datta Boy, is an artist with a story to tell. He has lived several lives already including being a college graduate, a former NFL player, a youth football coach, and one of the best independent rappers in the county. Datta Boy has a powerful story that he has shared with Plan-A Radio before. In 2018, Datta Boy graced Plan-A Radio with his first interview hosted by DJ Show, Ink, King Kof, and DroBoy Govan.


During his 2018 interview for the release of The Duke Ellington Project, Datta Boy informed us of his story, the loss of his father, where he received his stage name, and his future plans in music. It was a heartfelt interview and we at Plan-A Radio have gotten the wonderful opportunity to see Datta Boy continue to flourish as a passionate artist with a lot more to offer.


Most recently, Datta Boy has released a powerful project entitled West LA Proverbs. It is gently orchestrated and sprinkled with features from the likes of UnspokenViews, Ventage, Monty Kong, Hunnit Spokes, Columbo Black and more.

To put it simply: West LA Proverbs is really good fucking album.

What makes us shake our asses? What can we use to pump us up at the gym? What sets the mood when company comes over? What creates a vibe? Every song featured on WLP is well-produced, well-written, and well-performed. Datta Boy does a great job of song placement on his albums, but even more, he is able to capture the essence of a song with a powerful music video.


Before we get into West LA Proverbs, let's discuss Datta Boy's history and videography.


In 2017, Datta Boy released the official music video for "Threat." Datta Boy and his band of masked friends avenge the death of his sister in this "Purge"-themed video. It is dark and sinister; and with the Ralph and Jose (Directors) on assignment, the video is complete with theatrics and timely graphics.


"Threat" Official Music Video Director :Ralph Laurence Mariano @ralphlaurencemarianio Asst Director: Jose Quintanilla @noface_films

When the pandemic hit, most artists slowed down, but Datta Boy continued to forge forward with the release of his "Friday"-themed music video, "Pull Up." There are some familiar faces in the video, including Plan-A Radio's own DJ Show and Ink. But most notably, our beloved Tommy "Tiny" Lister was cast to play his infamous role: "Debo".


It is only right to give honor to that day, as it is suspected to have been one of Lister's final appearances. In the West LA heat, we were blessed with Tiny's presence. He offered wisdom, inspiration, and insight into the dreams and goals that we all revealed. We were even blessed to see Monty Kong receive a good old-fashioned Debo-style chokehold. It was a day of laughter and wonder; something worth being thankful for.


Datta Boy collaborated with Lister to give away the lowrider bike featured in the music video to one lucky fan. This thoughtful social media rollout landed Datta Boy with over 5,000 views on his music video, and it is still regarded as a highly requested Plan-A radio favorite.


"Pull Up" Official Music Video starring Tommy "Tiny" Lister Director: Ralph Laurence Mariano @ralphlaurencemarianio

After releasing "Pull Up," Datta Boy went on to collaborate with Bone Crusher-- Yes, THEEEE Bone Crusher-- for the single "Go Hard." This. Song. Is. Fucking. Fire. Don't believe me, go listen on Spotify right now and you'll see why it has over 227,000 streams. Bone Crusher does his memorable "ATTENTIONNNNNN" and Datta Boy rides the beat like the seasoned professional that he is. The two work in perfect synchronicity to create one of the hottest tracks of 2021. ("Go Hard" might be one of my favorite songs by Datta Boy)


Datta Boy continues to be a dedicated artist with a wealth of talent to offer the game. West LA Proverbs is just a testament to the greatness of this West LA artist.

ree

The third single off of the project is "Timbaland & Magoo" featuring HunnitSpokes and Monty Kong. We ALL KNOW how much I love a woman rapper, but seeing HunnitSpokes get her flowers as a feature on this song is heartwarming. She is a beautiful upcoming artist from the city who is in great company.


Monty Kong has been on the radar for a minute and is just waiting to pop. He and Ink competed at TeamBackPack NYC in 2016, and since, he's gone on to be featured in some great projects, including John Singleton's Snowfall.


"Timbaland & Magoo" is an immediate hit off of West LA Proverbs. There is a level of vulnerability in the song that deserves relishing, but Datta Boy has grown at lot, and even more, he shines.



"Timbaland & Magoo" Official Music Video featuring HunnitSpokes and Monty Kong Director: Jose Quintella (noface_Films) 2nd Camera: Alex Martinez(Amatudiosla)

Datta Boy is next up and that is an undeniable fact. He is well-packaged and dedicated to the work. He is able to budget to produce and release incredible projects and videos to accompany his music. Datta Boy is steadfast in his artistry. He knows his sound, understands his lane, and is willing to invest in himself to make his work work.


There is no wonder why he's lived so many lives. He has a lot of life and expresses joy through song. Datta Boy is able to take the lows of his life and turn them into monumental highs. Datta Boy understands how hard he needs to work to get a project done. He will lock himself in his studio and get the work done without excuses. While there is still limited presence online (trust me, I am on his head about this!), he has so much to offer. You don't want to be late to lending an ear to this artist. You will regret missing out on his rise to the top.



"Bonnie & Clyde" Official Music Video featuring Shanice Antonia Director: Jose Quintella (noface_Films)

To hear more from Datta Boy, click the links below:




ree

Ink, 2023

 
 
 

© 2020 by InkVeryWell

bottom of page