Artists of 2017: High Sunday Give Hip Hop A High Spirit

Sometimes, you hear an artist that defines a genre, but has the power to re-define it, as well. True artists have a symbiotic relationship with music, where music defines them and, in time, they define music. Hip Hop teaches the power, prowess. and overall perseverance it takes to survive the hardest aspects of life and society; from being black to being poor. High Sunday muster everything great and revolutionary about the genre in sound and lyrics; giving them a chance to become one of the genre’s biggest purveyors.

Their EP Hip Hop Anonymous was one of the bests of 2016 because of how clean and meticulous it was. No it was not clean in content as much as in delivery. Each song was a full, succinct scope into the essence of their music, which is a high accomplishment. I walked away from the EP feeling as if I knew and understood their artistry, and wished to fully support it. Ike Williams and Nick Fazekas have a flow that is soulful and confrontational. Their lyrics are all about facing the societal discrepancies that I have mentioned Hip Hop is known for highlighting like, racism and classism. In songs “Wonderland” and “Hip Hop Anonymous”, these emcees rhymed like the smoke fire emanates after it has fully raged. It is as if they are coming down from the torn and tattered aftermath of a fire to look back at the home that once was, which, in many ways, people feel society will become because of its divisive nature: a burnt home. Yet, High Sunday is also about giving hope
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Their songs “Let Go” and “Get There (feat Jaq Lion)” reflect on the struggles to not let social ills make you spiritually ill. Each track gives subtle advice for inner peace and strength  that are elevated by the harmonies from vocalist Ryan Evangelista. Their hymnal quality shows a different frame to Hip Hop Anonymous and reveal the duality of their nature: they are here to make you see and heal your wounds. This may not seem dueling as you must see your hurt to heal it, but spiritual/ social pain is not easy to confront nor is it something to place into surgery. The inner pain you carry can only be released by the inner healing you perform on yourself, and for High Sunday this is key to their success and the one they desire for their listener. This explains why they sound soulful and confrontational all at once: facing your pain is not a painless experience. Hence, why they look at society like a burnt home, sure it may have come down, but it does not mean it cannot rebuild to a stronger foundation.