Emerging out of Detroit’s Westside as one of the most talented lyricists in his city, Courtney Bell has earned the title of local hero. He shares “Issues,” his new single and video. Set to appear on his upcoming mixtape Microdose, out 5/17, the track samples Rose Royce’s “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” providing a soulful backdrop to Courtney’s reflective lyrics. He looks back on his upbringing, contemplating the struggles he and his family have faced, while keeping a positive outlook on the future!
The “Issues” video, directed by Diego, uses creative visuals to reflect the broken cycles many growing up in not only Courtney’s neighborhood but also many others around the world face. As Courtney raps, faceless individuals tied up with puppet strings deal drugs behind him, symbolizing how powerless they often are against oppressive systemic forces.
“Issues” is the latest single from Courtney Bell’s upcoming project, Microdose, a wide-ranging effort that drops on May 17th via MNRK Urban. The track follows “Word II Conway,” Courtney’s successful collaboration with Conway the Machine, and “Westside,” a single created in collaboration with Courtney’s mentor Royce Da 5’9, who plays Morpheus to Courtney’s Neo in the “Westside” video. Microdose was executive produced by Royce Da 5’9 and Keith “Pay Cash” Miller, and also features Black Thought, Benny The Butcher, LaRussell, Symba and more.
Renowned in the Detroit streets and more than ready for national recognition, Courtney Bell is on the come-up. The Westside native previously made waves with his 2020 mixtape, Poverty Stricken, featuring the single “ICE” (1.5 million streams on Spotify) and a collaboration with REASON. Last year, his Poverty Stricken single “Celebrate” landed on the soundtrack for the blockbuster Gran Turismo film.
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