This week's Monday pick of mine sends us back in time.

Welcoming back the MC-beatmaker duo from Austin, Magna Carda, and their captivating "Cowboy". Impeccable lyricism, jazzy melodies, and rich beatwork make up for a truly unique musical journey - combining modern production techniques (the synths and the drums reminded me of Brockhampton) with vintage, almost Western aesthetics - especially with the spoken bit, mid-track.

"This song was inspired by an audio clip we retrieved from our field recording in a New Orleans corner store of a conversation between two people discussing the history of Black cowboys and an appreciation of the culture. We found the sentiments relatable as Black musicians holding tight to our culture of hip hop and our musical roots – that our art form stems from our history as pioneers and our desire to be recognized as such. The lyrical content flowed from there, where we unfold our story of striving to stay true to who we are as musicians, being respected amongst our peers and those in opposition to our message, and pushing forward as a force. We draw parallels between Black cowboys, and the life and art processes of a musician - seeking to be recognized, and seeking to be seen," they shared.

There's an EP coming this fall, with "Cowboy" being the 1st single off it. While we wait, make sure to check the awesome official music video:

posted by Nasko
June 2023