What truly makes me happy? It’s undoubtedly the moments when my loved ones are proud of me and, even more importantly, when they themselves achieve success. It’s a double boost of energy: seeing the joy in their eyes is like a confirmation that I am on the right path. And that’s why I can’t help but agree with the words of Maur Kii, an artist and producer-engineer, who says:
“Something simple makes me happy. I enjoy seeing my close friends and family proud of what I do and enjoying the energy I’ve been able to bring to the world. Watching my loved ones succeed is another reason why I keep moving forward.”
Maur Kii started making music at the age of 14, writing songs and performing in talent shows. At 19, after his first year in university, he joined the U.S. Air Force. During 8.5 years of service, he earned a degree in entertainment business and music production in Los Angeles. He worked with BOE Global on projects for Big Freedia, Rotimi, Victor Oladipo, Raiche, Jadah Blue, VANJESS, Mnelia, and Ylona Garcia. He founded the production company NXT.WAV and signed a contract with View Park Records. And the latest news — Maur Kii’s new EP “MAURNB: THE YEAR WAS STORYLINE.”
Photo by @musiciskii
This project is rich with R&B rhythms from different eras. Inspired by both classic and modern melodies, it creates an atmosphere that delicately conveys the subtle nuances of interaction with the woman who has become the center of his attention. The album’s six tracks are like individual chapters, each telling its own story and forming a cohesive narrative that allows us to understand the characters’ experiences.
The album opens with the track “Streets” – it conveys a multi-layered perception of the term “streets,” not as a geographical concept, but as a symbolic space where fates intersect. In the role of a charming conversationalist, Maur Kii tries to strike up a conversation with a mysterious woman who has caught his eye. This dance of intrigue and romance takes place against a backdrop of rhythms that evoke a sense of excitement. Smooth melodies and soft, velvety beats enhance the overall atmosphere. “Streets” lays the musical foundation for the entire album. The thematic thread of the album is picked up by the track “4 The Weekend,” but now the story becomes more specific. Maur Kii seems to have gained confidence in his intentions: a group is on the horizon, ready to occupy the weekend. The instrumental sections lift the veil, giving a glimpse of the woman who has become the center of the hero’s attention.
The contrast between her diligence and the upcoming moments of rest fills the track with dynamic energy. This play of anticipation and promises transforms into a narrative about the interaction of two people, ready to reveal their feelings against the backdrop of a weekend full of possibilities, the details of which unfold in the track “Naked.” This song intensifies emotional misunderstandings and inner conflicts, shifting the direction of the previous songs. Gentle, smooth melodies, framed by bass and flowing rhythms, create an intimate atmosphere. Light, overlapping harmonies wrap around the space, and you can feel the fine line between tenderness and vulnerability.
“Deeper” picks up and accelerates the events of this story, building in tempo and tension. Maur Kii and guest artist Aftrdrk elegantly narrate the track’s plot. The music brings to life the moments when the woman approaches, while the imagination paints vivid images of her arrival. Enveloping, warm sounds, soft synthesizers, and deep bass create a private atmosphere, while the gentle rhythms of the drums lead to the moment when the night of love begins its wave, setting the stage for the next chapters of this intriguing story.
Photo by @musiciskii
After the passionate night described earlier, the song “Options” opens a new chapter, where the hero’s possibilities are far from limited to a single romantic entanglement. Featuring Randy White, this track explores the subtle twists in the development of relationships. Randy White adds his interpretation, acting as the opposing side of this complex equation. Together with Maur Kii, they create a harmonious musical dialogue that serves as a prelude to the album’s final track.
“Who Cries In A Maybach?” is the finale of a love story tangled in glamour and pain. The track poses an ironic question: how can one cry amidst luxury, wine, and sparkle? But that is exactly where its power lies – wealth cannot drown out inner emptiness. The characters, trapped in the Maybach, find themselves in an emotional dead end where no external perfection can save them from heartache. The luxurious setting becomes the backdrop for the quiet collapse of a relationship that seemed destined to be flawless.
Maur Kii’s album “MAURNB: THE YEAR WAS STORYLINE” hits different in a rap scene full of predictable beats. It breaks away from the usual formula, ignoring genre norms and any commercial pressures. Maur Kii shows just how much power an album can have when it’s meant to be heard as a whole, not chopped up into singles. It’s dope when an artist digs into his feelings, not scared to mess with sounds and make something you can vibe to all the way through.
The album is available on all platforms.
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