Still Solid, Still Here

Roddy Ricch “Survivor’s Remorse”

Sometimes you can find very interesting things in the credits of modern music. Like, for example – the choir sample that lends so much pathos and drama to this Roddy Ricch song? The element of the track that roots Ricch’s lyrics about a personal struggle in something much older and much bigger than himself? It’s not from an old gospel record; it’s from a Kelly Clarkson song that came out last year. That fact doesn’t change anything about the record, but it does suggest the song’s producer Turbo has an excellent ear for samples from unexpected sources.

Ricch’s vocal delivery is casual and conversational as he tries to explain his absence to his fans, but you don’t really need to know much about that to be moved by the song. His frustration and pain is apparent in the nuances, and his humor and charisma comes through in his more flamboyant phrasing. I particularly love the way he half-sings the phrase “I’d be a billionaire” on the second verse – you can hear the grin on his face.

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