Album Review: ThiDaniel Shows His Future Is As Royal As “Lilac”
What if you were chosen for something greater? The very idea has written novels, songs, and dreams. We all get lost in mystical fantasies where someone comes into our seemingly small lives and says “You are special. You are more than what you think!”. Chosen is the word and scenario that describe ThiDaniel’s beginning as an artist. Super-producer Tricky Stewart, whose accolades include discovering Frank Ocean, Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies”, and Rihanna’s “Umbrella”, believes he has found a young man destined to be a superstar: ThiDaniel.
ThiDaniel’s road to stardom begins with the release of his debut EP Lilac: Pt.1.To put it plainly, Lilac: Pt.1 is a hit. Yet, ThiDaniel has everything in his favor to release such a grand Hip Hop/ Electric R&B record. First, TRICKY STEWART is backing this young man. If a man who saw the genius of Frank Ocean and brought Beyoncé one of her biggest hits thinks you are amazing, it is a huge sign of your mainstream success. Both these artists have not only dominated the music industry, but redefined it as cultural taste-makers. Their records set both standards and soundscapes that fellow artists looks to for inspiration and trails to follow. ThiDaniel clearly has the light that attracts people to listen, admire, and follow his talent. From the age of 3, he was noticed by a Juilliard teacher whom saw his “it” factor and taught him piano. Later on, he dropped out of Berkelee School of Music, after passing every class, because he felt that “inner itch” that says you are “chosen”. Within two years, he met Tricky Stewart and Malik Rasheed, A&R for Epic Records and manager to Asap Rocky. As seen, for ThiDaniel, music is his cosmic fate. Yet, you cannot feel jealous of such promise because it is well-deserved, especially after hearing Lilac Pt. 1.
In just five tracks, ThiDaniel has managed to sum up everything we all love about Hip Hop and modern/electric R&B. He has the smooth, pleading vocals that simmer with a sultriness that, of course, women will find irresistible. Songs like, “Mamacita” and “Love Through Vibes” are sonic flirtations with female listeners, and remind of Usher and Drake’s world renown capacity to appear as innocent, “easy to fall in love” men caught in the whirlwinds of fantasized romances with YOU: the listener. His voice has the cool mellowness that makes his flows on lust and love feel warmly sensual. He is not trying to woo a girl but win a woman. Yet, “winning a woman” for ThiDaniel is not about degrading her as anobject, but discovering the inner prizes of her being. The difference is what will garner him a major fanbase with women and men, who will want to be like him or use hi seducing songs. Like Usher and Drake, these icons have attracted male followers because they have set standards on what attracts female ones, which ThiDaniel will do, as well. With his vocals and the dance-inclined rhythms of Trick Stewart, this artist is being blatantly prepped for music fame, and I can hear why.
It is always great, as a reviewer, to hear an artist that you know will be on the radio, particularly, because that is a major foundation for artist’s success. Whether they are streamed through iPhones or played through though radios, artists are discovered by massively accessible platforms like Spotify or Pandora. Thus, from the Lilac Pt.1’s first track, “Chill Vibe”, to its last, “Purple”, I knew that I was listening to an artist that will be heavily streamed. For More Information On ThiDaniel or To Buy Lilac Pt.1 Click Here.
