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We last heard from Violet Says 5 frontman Ethan Spalding on last year’s Beef and Broccoli, his collaborative album with Silver Spring MC/producer Awthentik. Broccoli crossed Southern crunk with East Coast boom-bap—-and showed both in their best lights.
Now Spalding—under the name Violet Rocker—goes at it alone on the second installment of his Champagne, Weed and Bubble Gum album series, released Tuesday. On it, Spalding revisits his Southern ethos with bass-heavy beats and seedy strip-club jams.
Unlike Violet Says 5’s rock-rooted work, Champagne sticks to hip-hop—-with the exception of “Step It Out,” a bouncy EDM number that has Spalding trumpeting a night out partying and smoking weed. On “Whole Time,” he and X.O. swap bars over a slow trunk rattler, and the music takes on a glossy West Coast sound. But throughout it all, Champagne remains carefree, just like its maker. Listen and download below.
