RUN THAT BACK — March 2021
This is the start of my monthly series called “Run That Back,” where I’ll be highlighting the music that dropped in the prior month and let you know what I had on repeat for that month. Of course, there will be your typical mainstream artists, but I also look to find some up-and-coming artists, as well, so that I can put you all on to some new, good, music. I’m mainly an R&B/Soul guy, so you’ll definitely find a lot of that here, but I’ll also throw in some Hip-Hop/Rap and try my best to branch into other genres too.
The music will be split into different categories: Albums, EPs, Singles, and Remixes. My favorite from each category will be dubbed with the “Ran it back all {insert month}” moniker, and I’ll talk a little about it and why it was my favorite. Following the monthly favorite will be the rest of the music for the month in order of rank. To check out any of the selections, just click the title.
If you feel I missed anything or ranked anything wrong, comment and tell me what music you loved (or hated) in March, or send a tweet over to the blog page @ IGotTimeBlog on Twitter.
Albums
1. Ran it back all March: Joyce Wrice - Overgrown
Dropped: March 19, 2021
Rating: 8/10
Joyce Wrice really rolled out a very solid debut album with Overgrown and has certainly gained a fan in me with this project. True to its title, the main theme of the album is Wrice acknowledging the shortcomings that she has allowed from past lovers and realizing that she has overgrown that lackluster love and is now seeking a love that fulfills her wholly, albeit with some mishaps along that journey (I’m looking at you “Addicted”). The album has a 2000’s R&B type of energy to it, but with its own flare. I certainly get that feel with the features of Freddy Gibbs and Westside Gunn, who both assist in giving that classic R&B/Rap one-two punch that you could find in a medley of 2000’s R&B.
Speaking of features, Wrice got some heavy-hitter features on this project with the aforementioned Freddie Gibbs and Westside Gunn, as well as Lucky Daye, Masego, and KAYTRANADA. Although, I will say that worked against her at times, as I felt like she got a little outshined on a couple tracks. Specifically on “Falling in Love” with Lucky Daye and “Must Be Nice” with Masego. Not to say Wrice didn’t do her thing, but Daye and Masego really put their best foot forward.
Wrice also had some great visuals to accompany the album. Wrice and Gibbs link up for some summertime cookout vibes in the video for “On One,” which you can check out here. And in the video for “So So Sick,” Wrice moves on from her man by tearing up his belongings and hitting the town with her girls. You can peep that video, with a special guest appearance from my guy Smino, below.
2. Serpentwithfeet x DEACON
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating 7.9/10
3. Justin Bieber — Justice
Dropped: March 19, 2021
Rating: 7.7/10
4. Young Dolph x Key Glock — Dum and Dummer 2
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating 7.4/10
5. Trevor Jackson — The Love Language
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating 7/10
6. Rod Wave — Soulfly
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating: 7/10
7. Genesis Owusu — Smiling with No Teeth
Dropped: March 5, 2021
Rating: 6.8/10
8. OTF — Lil Durk Presents: Loyal Bros
Dropped: March 5, 2021
Rating: 5.8/10
EPs
1. Ran it back all March: Destin Conrad — COLORWAY
Dropped: March 5, 2021
Rating: 9/10
Destin Conrad done came a long way from them Vine days, but he must’ve thought he was still singing for Vine because this project is way too short! Not counting the skits between songs, this EP is only six songs long, and the longest song is just under three minutes. Literally, every song leaves you wanting more, and that’s part of the reason why I gave it such a high rating. Destin fully piqued my interest with this project by providing just a sample of what’s in store for when he actually drops a full-length project. So it’s safe to say the hype is high, and I just hope he lives up to it.
COLORWAY is such a smooth, quick listen. I find myself turning on the repeat feature and just letting it play back to back to back. Ambré and Swavay provide some great features that really complement Conrad well. For a debut project, this was a really great intro to who Conrad is as an artist.
Conrad had visuals for two of the tracks off of this EP. The “COLORWAY” video showcases a beautiful romance, and you can check that out here. In the video for my favorite track, “BILL$,” Conrad takes us on a car ride as different people come in and out of the car to have Destin drive them around. You can peep that video below.
2. Drake — Scary Hours 2
Dropped: March 5, 2021
Rating: 9/10
3. Lajon — Soliloquy
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating: 8.5/10
4. Benny the Butcher x Harry Fraud — The Plugs I Met 2
Dropped: March 19, 2021
Rating: 8/10
5. Dirty Bird — Loosies
Dropped: March 31, 2021
Rating: 8/10
6. Jacob Banks — For My Friends
Dropped: March 12, 2021
Rating: 8/10
7. Chika x ONCE UPON A TIME
Dropped: March 12, 2021
Rating: 7.5/10
8. Ecco2k — PXE
Dropped: March 31, 2021
Rating: 7.2/10
Singles
1. Ran it back all March: Silk Sonic (Anderson .Paak & Bruno Mars) — Leave the Door Open
Dropped: March 5, 2021
Rating: 10/10
This is really a perfect song. Anderson and Bruno were a duo that I didn’t know I needed, but I am damn sure happy I got. Silk Sonic is a great name for them cause this track is smooth as silk. I really can’t wait for them to drop their project together. If it sounds like this throughout, you certainly won’t hear any complaints from me.
2. Giveon — All to Me
Dropped: March 12, 2021
Rating 10/10
3. Brent Faiyaz — Show U Off
Dropped: March 12, 2021
Rating: 9.5/10
4. Shelley FKA DRAM — Cooking With Grease
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating: 8.3/10
5. Ali Gatie x Marshmello x Ty Dolla $ign — Do You Believe
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating 8/10
6. Elhae x Masego — My City
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating: 8/10
7. N!C — Gho$t
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating: 7.5/10
8. Baby Keem — No Sense
Dropped: March 5, 2021
Rating: 6/10
Remixes
*The rating is more so based on what the additional features added, not necessarily the song itself*
1. Ran it back all March: Alex Isley x Masego x Lucky Daye — Good & Plenty (remix)
Dropped: March 17, 2021
Rating: 10/10
The addition of Lucky Daye at the start of this song was *chef’s kiss* sublime. And then Daye on the background vocals after his verse was like gold. Pairing him with the smooth soundings of Alex Isley and Masego was just a match made in heaven. Isley replaces the verse that she had in the beginning, on the original track, and comes with a new, closing, verse on this remix and it’s all just… so gooooood! This track is just angelic. Elevates me.
2. H.E.R. x Tauren Wells — Hold Us Together (remix)
Dropped: March 19, 2021
Rating: 9/10
3. Tiana Major9 x SiR — Same Space (remix)
Dropped: March 19, 2021
Rating: 8.5/10
4. Raiche x Ty Dolla $ign — Pick A Side
Dropped: March 26, 2021
Rating: 8.5/10
5. Tiana Major9 x Vince Staples — Real Affair (remix)
Dropped: March 30, 2021
Rating: 7/10
6. Ty Dolla $ign x Jhene Aiko x Mustard x Bryson Tiller — By Yourself (remix)
Dropped: March 19, 2021
Rating: 7/10
