There are a lot of voices, not a majority but still a significant group, speaking out that the hip-hop genre has fallen into a rut, struggles with an epidemic of imitation, and labors under the weight of its clichés. Elz Bentley is a rebuke to that idea. The Lexington, Kentucky based performer, vocalist, and writer will win a lot of new fans thanks to his new single “Buddha”. It represents a new high-water mark for the young artist and builds on his previous extended releases, Take No Elz and the EP Bentley, while sparkling with its own identity and value. It may seem like a tall order for a Midwestern headquartered hip-hop performer to play a prominent role in this musical genre, but Bentley has skill and potential rivaling countless contemporaries from far more traditional hubs for this music.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/elzworthbentley/?hl=en
He filmed an accompanying music video for the track. It sports a lot of the visual tropes defining the video genre, such as jump cuts for example, but links up well with the song’s trajectory. Bentley’s visual presence, however, commands your attention with minimal effort. He has a surprising unassuming presence despite being a large man and exudes an easy confidence that never feels staged. The rugged backdrop for the video adds further gravitas to the performance. Bentley and his creative partners obviously worked hard to produce the same top shelf results we hear from the track itself.
Much of that top shelf excellence comes from Bentley’s vocal. Bentley has a strong ear that knows what this track needs; he puts enough muscle behind his line-by-line delivery to make an immediate impact on listeners. It’s an important thing to note that he avoids the histrionics so many young hip-hop performers embrace to be noticed. Bentley doesn’t do that – his talents speak for themselves. The pace of his phrasing shifts gears at various points during “Buddha”, but those decisions always prove to enhance its rhythmic powers.
He’s a talented writer as well. The words for this track are filled with his personality, rely on street language with a conversational storytelling slant, and seamlessly sync with the musical arrangement. There’s little to no doubt that you are hearing Bentley’s authentic voice with this performance. It hits your ears free from artifice and bristling with rigorous honesty. “Buddha” does need to imitate anyone else because Bentley possesses a musical and lyrical voice all his own.
APPLE MUSIC: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/elz-bentley/1504817668?ign-gact=3&ls=1
We can expect Elz Bentley to be around for many years to come. He comes at hip-hop with a sure sense of what he wants to do, works at creating fully immersive packages for listeners, and already shows a penchant for evolution that too few of his peers are willing to risk. There’s no playing it safe here. Instead, Elz Bentley’s “Buddha” lays it on the line with listeners and rides a sweet, memorable groove that leaves us wanting more. The level of inspiration percolating during this song suggests it won’t be long until we hear again from Bentley.
Jodi Marxbury