From their youthful mixtapes Sealed For Freshness, Church League Champions to their breakout mixtape Mania! and two studio albums The Div and G.M.B., the trend-setting California trio Pac Div (brothers LIKE & Mibbs and BeYoung) have always been a little ahead of the curve.
Since the group has been on a hiatus, they have released a few loosies here and there, but have been more focused on their respective musical directions as solo artists. Over the past few years, LIKE’s sonic evolution has come full-circle, as he has officially stepped to the forefront and has been quickly establishing himself as a multi-faceted renaissance man; solo-artist, producer and DJ.
Like secretly honed his skills behind the boards for years before making his presence as a producer known to the world; and that presence has definitely been felt. From Kendrick Lamar’s “Sing About Me, Dying Of Thirst” from Kendrick’s breakout Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, album (which earned LIKE a Grammy nomination) to Ab-Soul’s “Just Have Fun” which continued to build on his synergy with the TDE camp, Curren$y’s “Cruizin,” Med Blu/Madlib’s “Finer Things” f/ Phonte (with LIKE dropping a verse as well) to Anderson. Paak’s “Room In Here” f/ The Game & Sonya Elise from Paak’s runaway smash album Malibu have catapulted LIKE and his eclectic sound to new heights.
Never one to be relegated to just one creative medium, in March 2015 LIKE released an instrumental album entitled Emeralds, a 14-track journey filled with musical gems which was inspired by the likes of Dilla, DJ Premier, Madlib, Blu, Radiohead and others and his travels abroad to Africa and Brazil.
Now, LIKE is back with his new debut full-length project, Songs Made While High, and today, Mass Appeal premiered the first leak from the project, the ultra jazzy “Blah Loops.” It takes me a long time to create. Especially when I thrive on inspiration” LIKE commented to Mass Appeal. “I need the experiences of life to help push me artistically. The reason I entitled this album Songs Made While High wasn’t because I’m a pseudo-druggy (I only smoke weed and occasionally take shrooms). As cliché as it may sound, music gets me high. I’m addicted to sounds and melodies; chords and samples—colors and soundscapes my brother and I heard growing up in church; or cleaning our parents home Saturday mornings (mom always played Sade and Anita baker). My dad always played and sang beautiful songs on his upright piano. I want to thank everyone who played a hand in developing this project with me; it’s my first & hopefully not my last.”
LIKE’s Songs Made While High will be released on 9-30-2016
Stream below for the latest.
© 2016, Niyah Nel. All rights reserved.
