FreshVS Sellers' "Fresh Beats" Review
The Mill City Collective seems to have an early harvest this year. Before the ground was even thawed, the Minneapolis-based group had the soundwaves heating up. Reed Benjamin’s RXB in late February produced the first crop of ripe fruit. A month and a change later, FreshVs Sellers pulled the roots out of the ground giving us some Fresh Beats.
Part of the Mill City Collective and ¼ of Deeply Rooted Tribe, a rap collective in their own respect, FreshVS Sellers follows up on his 3-track 2019 release XXX with this 5 track EP.
Vintage beats lay the foundation of this as the instrumentals range from dreamy synths and hi-hat rattling to thunderous 808s hiding under some natural drums that emulate flavors of Joey Bada$$ in 1999.
Tracklist for “Fresh Beats”
With the intro “Fresh Vs. Everything” which comes in under 90 seconds, FreshVS Sellers tailors his flow to the hi-hats as the soft synth encapsulates a serene atmosphere.
“Want/Need” holds some grit within the instrumental and vocal performance. The premise begins with Nas’s “Illmatic.” The track “The World is Yours” left an impression on FreshVS as he proclaims in the track he wants and needs the world in the palm of his hand. Though, at first, a young FreshVS dismissed Nas’s words. It wasn’t until years into his grind that he really does want the globe nestled between his fingertips.
“I started listening when you left/
Now I write ambidextrous.”
The soft rumble of 808’s and chopped samples lead to the beat build of “Chi-Town Fresh.” With this track sitting directly in the middle, it takes on an interlude vibe to the project. The repetition of the sample chops and FreshVS’ vocal performance provides an atmosphere full of catchy chants accompanied by droning horns singing softly in the back of the instrumental. With a solid verse squeezed in between atmospheric repetition, “Chi-Town Fresh” ushers in the second part of “Fresh Beats.”
“Go, pt. 2” is an ode to the hustle. The instrumental switches up back and forth effortlessly while FreshVS keeps his cadence as he speaks in basketball metaphors. These metaphorical flexes aid FreshVS to the path he has chosen: greatness.
“I had to show and prove/
You had a show and tell.
Set a stage on fire/
I know those ropes as well.”
“The Feels” provides the project with its grandest instrumentation. FreshVS comes to terms with the outward expression of feelings. Tough times and tragedy helped FreshVS realize it’s okay to cry, and you’re no less of a man if you do
“I’m in this bitch alone, But I know everybody.”
Despite this acceptance of emotions, FreshVS still proclaims he will make a killing while showing a symbiotic balance of empathy and hustle.
This track comes in as my favorite on “Fresh Beats.” With the instrumentation being as grand as it is, FreshVS speaks on a taboo topic with most facets of the Hip-Hop world with the expression of feelings.
It drives home the important fact:
Just because you show your true emotions as they bubble to the surface, it doesn’t mean you won’t reap the benefits of your hustle.
“Fresh Beats” can be found on Bandcamp or wherever you stream your music:
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Review by: Paul Thorson, Hip-Hop Writer @PaulyT03
Edited by: Eric Martin, Writer/Assistant Editor @eamartin95