I was tired, fighting for a space in the city I grew up in -- which felt increasingly like it wanted nothing to do with me. So I left for Boston, and Berklee-- on a whim, hoping to get a fresh start.
It was a 180.
It felt like I didn't have to "prove" anything to anyone. I could be honest about who I was, and the music I made, and not have to bullshit in order to just do my thing on stage. I got the love and support I'd been desperately looking for in Cali from Boston so readily--
And something was missing.
Even though California had never really given me the belonging I needed-- the truth was I had no love for myself, who I was, or what I did in order to really fight for what I wanted. I missed my home, and I was stuck inbetween these two places.
Over the last two years I wrote this album as a reflection of that, and it's gone through a lot of changes. All I can tell you is it feels like me, and I really care deeply about the work. For the exclusive price of "for free" for you guys to check out. Hope you like it.
Please share it if you like it. Please give me feedback if you don't. It's all love.
credits
released February 23, 2016
CREDITS:
EXEC PRODUCED: Zaid Tabani and everybody who says things about his music and stuff.
1. Identity
Produced by DG BEATS X VONTAE from Street Empire
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed By Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Eli Lavaude
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
2. Feels like 1994
Produced by ScareBeatz
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani
BG Vocals by Lucy Patterson
Engineered by Zaid Tabani
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
3. Vibe
Produced by Kyle Thornton
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Zaid Tabani, Demitrio Albano, Eli Lavaude
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
4. No Filter
Produced by Mantra
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Zaid Tabani
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
5. Sunrise
Produced by OSYM
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed By Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Zaid Tabani
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Additional Mixing by Christian King
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
6. SOON
Produced by D-Will
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Zaid Tabani
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
7. PAID OFF
Produced by Adrian Adonis
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Eli Lavaude
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
8. A Prayer(Feat. Madeline Rae)
Produced by Noah Conrad
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed By Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Zaid Tabani, Noah Conrad
Mixed by Noah Conrad
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
Additional Guitar by Kyle Thornton
09- BOS ANGELES(Feat. Naika Richards)
Produced by Sean Divine
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Zaid Tabani
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
10. Gas Money(Prod by D-Will)
Produced by D-Will ^^
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Zach Cox
Mixed by David Wilson
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
11. WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Produced by Sean Divine
Written By Zaid Tabani
Performed By Zaid Tabani
Engineered by Zaid Tabani, Eli Lavaude
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
12. Hit Like a Girl(Feat. Jessie Munro)
Produced by Moritz Braun
Written By Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani, Jessie Munro
Additional Bass recorded by Freddie Reische
Engineered by Zaid Tabani
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
13. Busking(Feat. Madeline Rae)
Produced by Noah Conrad
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani and Madeline Rae
Engineered by Noah Conrad
Mixed by Noah Conrad
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
14. No Turning Back(Feat. Austin Armstrong)
Produced by Superstar O
Written by Zaid Tabani
Performed by Zaid Tabani and Austin Armstrong
Engineered by Zaid Tabani
Mixed by Zaid Tabani
Additional Mixing by Brett White
Mastered by Martina Albano COS Mastering
I love this whole album: It just captures a wide range of experiences and affects the listener with a wide range of emotions.
I first liked this album because of the nerdcore elements, but I fell in love when I realized that these verses were true poetry, speaking to a deeper truth and beauty unlike most hip-hop I've heard. "A Poet" exemplifies this with its bittersweet message about how poetry is not valued. This is the first hip-hop tune I've ever shed a tear over.
Take a bow, Mega Ran. platinumazure
Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC teams up Edinburgh producer to explore pivotal experiences on this album of lo-fi hip hop mixed with jazz. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 16, 2023