When you think of modern R&B do you think 6lack? Well, whether you do, there’s no denying that 6lack’s been quietly, secretly working on his craft. His grim sound pioneered by the likes of The Weeknd and PARTYNEXTDOOR has placed him on the path to superstardom. Since he released ‘Free 6lack’ back in 2016, the Atlanta crooner has consistently delivered. He’s dropped solid music that not only pays homage to traditional R&B, but he’s not scared to place his stamp on the genre, and that’s an excellent thing.
After listening to ’6pc Hot’ 6lack seems to have taken a step back. He’s more relaxed, seeking to break the mold yet keeping things moody, with dark synths and hard-hitting 808s. The EP features six tracks, giving him plenty of time to work. As you continue to listen, you can see how 6lack has evolved. Confident as ever, he speaks on topics from separation to declarations of success.
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There are times the record almost drags but comes together to offer something worth listening to. The ‘ATL Freestyle’ is one of the better cuts on the project, with fine-tuned acoustics for instrumentation and deeply layered percussion, 6lack floats effortlessly making things look easy. ‘Know My Rights’ is a banger, the production is top-tier and the feature selection is fitting. The record ‘Outside’ is possibly the smoothest track on the project. Filled with quarantine-laden lyrics, the song just resonates in these times.
“I’ll be damned if I let you make me slip and fall,”
The track ‘Elephant In The Room’ transitions well in and out of scapes well and is my favorite track on the project. “I’ll be damned if I let you make me slip and fall,” 6lack sings over vocoder-lead production. Giving the song an old school dynamic reminiscent of days Blackstreet. My only gripe with the record is how it ends and transitions into ‘Outside’.
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It’s honest and perspective, but stays true to the same recipe 6lack’s offered in the past. Which isn’t bad, but it would have been nice to see him switch things up a bit more. This project appears to be a preliminary for something bigger. It’s well-produced and uses honest, unrefined introspection on love, life, and beyond. ‘6pc Hot’ is 6lack sharing the things that are weighing on his heart. Even if it’s just a prequel, it puts it the Atlanta native in prime position to become the frontrunner for this new class of R&B.
