Over the years, I’ve grown into a Hip-Hop head, and in a world of subpar rappers; real rap is appreciated. Chaz French, a D.C. born rapper definitely delivered on his debut album. “True Colors” does exactly what the title suggests, show French’s true colors. Not only are the lyrics intelligent and wordplay clever on songs like “Peace & Happiness,” “Amerikkka,” and “Situation,” but he’s able to switch it up on party songs like “Uncle Luke,” giving a salute to Uncle Luke from 2 Live Crew.
“Hey can I get some peace and happiness in my life/ All a nigga need is happiness in his life/ Hey said peace and happiness is alright/ One time yea yea hey look look” – “Peace & Happiness”
Although I’m upset at the fact I’m just discovering him as an artist, I feel I caught on at the right moment. “True Colors” has 16 songs, and each one holds its own against the others. One thing in particular I found appreciative in his album is the fact is features a few local DMV artists like Kevin Ross, Shy Glizzy, Phil Adé, and more.
The album takes you through various characteristics of French, as he uses rap in a form we’re missing nowadays from many artists; story telling. He talks about racial profiling, mass incarceration, the effects on the person in jail and their love ones, struggling to survive and make it, and so much more.
As of now, the most prominent songs off the album to me are “Peace & Happiness,” and “Somehow.” To hear a black man just express himself through whatever outlet is amazing because we are taught to not show emotion or feeling, however; “Peace & Happiness” stands out for to me for going against the grain and those stereotypes. Different things make us as individuals happy, turning up and doing hoodrat things with your friends, while also planning on the next event you’ll help your community with. Once you strip away the beatsand production, and just listen to what he’s actually saying; this is a track many different men can relate to, regardless of how they were raised. Wanting to find what makes you happy, what makes you a better person, a better man, wanting better for others around you.
“I’m steady dreaming of making it better for me and my people, I gotta show ’em it’s a way out/Brothers is dying repeatedly, we see it, that’s all they feed us, we gotta stand, not lay down/I’m believing in my tuition, was living life without a plan and that’s what I was missing/Now I’m leaning on a prayer, I wanna know the blessings/No second-guessing, I won’t neglect ’em, promise it’s all love”
“Somehow”
As black people, we always have to make a way “somehow.” Have to make a way through the struggle, racism, ignorance, and a variety of other things, which correlates with another favorite of mine, “Amerikkka,” the title speaks for itself. While addressing double standards, racism, prejudice, and unfortunately, the question many black Americans have asked themselves; “Am I Next?”
“I’m bout to take my daughter iPad and the TV make her get out the house, get on out/ I’m tryin to get this generation to learn and function/ Even when we was down and out we was up to something/ Wasn’t no social media we was in the moment/ Probably too busy dreaming or trying to be Jordan/ Every single birthday I needed new Jordans/ Through the times when I knew my mama couldn’t afford ‘em/ Never knew how she made it happen the day before/ But when I reminisce about it I know that mama made a way somehow” – “Somehow”
“Yea I said I think us as a people should show some unity before an act of violence/ I think we should march hand in hand without it being a riot/ I feel like somebody shouldn’t have to die for us to come together/ See the more we become organized it ain’t shit that they can tell us/ I know you hate us I know you fuckin hate us I see it/ I know you intimidated you just imitating the shit that you see/ That’s how your parents raised ya and that right there has become a routine/ So am I next should I ever have to reach for my ID, man it’s beyond the police/ We got to show every boy, an girl, man and women that we all precious in God’s sight/ Whether black or white, red or blue we’re all human/ We just need humanity and a little bit of justice in this short life/ Just put yourself in our shoes said put yourself in Trayvon’s hoodie/ Put your hands up like Mike Brown, Be 12 with a BB gun or armed and fit the profile” – Amerikkka
All in all, “True Colors” is a solid album. It’s French’s debut album, and he’s signed to Motown Records. You can get a feel for who he is through his music, and his career is growing bigger and better. His single, “Squad,” off his album will be on the Madden NFL 18 Soundtrack. His current single, “Way Out,” and its video shows creative and realness. You can watch the video below, and catch up with him and his album below.