Crown is a Brooklyn rapper with an old-school flow and a modern sonic sensibility that reaches well outside the range of the average throwback rapper. He’s backed by a band called the M.O.B. (short for “Message of the Blues”) that makes a big, dense sound that’s both rootsy and Roots-y.
They have a new album called All Rise coming out later this year. It’ll feature the song “Roam,” where he drops Biggie-inspired verses over a piano- and strings-driven beat with an indie-pop hook that makes for a breezy summertime listen. “The vibe of the song had me reflecting on the past and how far I’ve come,” he says. “No matter where I’ve been and where I’m going, you’ve always got to keep the positive thoughts pushing you forward.”