Charlotte, NC-raised rapper/songwriter Tha Chase (real name Naseef Curry) brings real-life experiences to his music. His love for the game kept him away from trouble, and seeing peers around him walking dangerous paths made him more focused on chasing his musical dreams. His latest venture, Live In The Light, is an 8-track body of work that explores the ups and downs of young black men trying to find their footing in a cold world.
The first track, “Life Worth Living,” is a solemn piano-driven track that is filled with heartfelt lyrics. Here, Tha Chase looks at the pros and cons of his immediate environment and decides to hold on to the positives and make a lane for himself. Lines like “There goes the bullshit,I swear it’s everywhere/But I couldn’t go for it/ It’s positive, then I’m for it/It’s negative, then I ignore it/The glory I’m fighting for it” underscore his go-getter/hopeful mentality. This is followed by the insightful “Find The Light.” Brimming with Latin guitar licks and sullen textures, Tha Chase looks at how easy people can wander onto the wrong path and the difficulties of finding that silver lining when the odds are high. Tha Chase goes for the winning shot in “For The Coach Blow The Whistle,” an anthem for the dreamers and believers. The rapper reminds us that things will not always pan out as they should, but the trick is to stand tall and walk the walk as he sings “Life ain’t fair, some people been fickle/But ama try to ball ‘for the coach blow the whistle/Walk this road, till there’s no more gold/But on this since fourteen years old.”
Tha Chase doesn’t shy away from showing his vulnerable side and sharing his dreams and hopes throughout the project, and on “Pray For The Best,” he takes it up a notch. Over the punchy and layered backdrop, he talks about failing but never falling off. Armed with raw determination, he invites listeners to witness his growth from humble beginnings, and he reminds us of the importance of the journey.“Rough Seas” dives into topics ranging from personal battles, peer pressure, and maturity. Lines like “Love live life/proceed, progress/Though love is something I struggle with, problematic at best/Next verse I tell some shit to get off my chest/Like some shit I love most is the shit that causes me stress” underpins his growth as a man on a mission. The final track, “We Struggle,” helps cement the project and brings it to a close on a reflective note. This track is the anthem for everyone going through daily struggles, and Tha Chase reminds them to never falter and always keep their heads up, no matter what.
Other notable tracks include the gratitude-filled “Time Flys” and “Walking This Road,” where he talks about the never-ending cycle where one has to stay on business and grind like no man’s business. Overall, Live In The Light is more than a mixtape filled with life stories, but also a call to action to everyone to lock in and chase their goals with everything they got.
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