Going Through the Motions with D. Saint - Nelson Webster
The first time I heard D. Saint’s music was on the New Era playlist, with the song Introverted, and I was pleasantly surprised at how down south this song sounds. It definitely reminded me of growing up in South Carolina listening to Jeezy and Gucci. His voice was energetic, but his flow was laid back, which served as a great juxtaposition. The song was off his recently released EP, A Wise Man Once Said, a project that oozes conscious, but catchy content.
From the album artwork to his lyrics, D. Saint executed a motif that tackles social issues relative to his life, from growing up in poverty to politics. Having ties to Maryland myself, the Frederick Douglass cover reeled me in from the start. A picture is always worth a thousand words, and D. Saint needed no words, aside from the title, to give me an idea of what the project would be about. He understands the art of the first impression.
He did the cover justice, delivering banger after banger. My favorite is Too Bad, with Lil Cool. I went back and listened to their Free Petro EP from 2018 and I have to acknowledge the chemistry between these two artists sonically. Lil Cool is melodic and chill, while D. Saint is aggressive, which provides for a balanced, but diverse listening experience. D. Saint doesn’t shy from melody, as he has a great voice for it himself, which he also showcased in his newest single, The Motions.
The Mississippi native must have known that I discovered his music, because I feel like as soon as I finished exploring his catalogue, wanting more, he drops another song. The Motions doesn’t have the same deep south feel as AWMOS, taking a melodic and rhythmic approach playing host to D. Saint’s singing voice while he effortlessly blends melody with his verses and hook. This is the type of song that could reach less hardcore hip hop fans, allowing him to expand his reach.
D. Saint is the type of artist that keeps listeners on their toes because no one knows what to expect next. The only thing I expect is greatness! Until next time, signing off Nelson Webster.
