Grammy-nominated urban contemporary artist 6LACK shines on “Switch,” his second solo single of 2018 following “Cutting Ties.”

“I’m thinking ‘bout a Yamaha / To get away from all the cameras.” We can deduce that Grammy-nominated singer/rapper 6LACK is thinking about a motorcycle.  That said, on the lyrics excerpted from the first verse of his single, “Switch,” he could be more specific.  Yamaha makes tons of products, including my personal favorite, keyboards.  But this isn’t about Yamaha, it’s about the continually rising musician, who looks to build off his gold-certified debut, Free 6LACK.

On “Switch,” 6LACK blesses the track with his beautiful, expressive singing voice.  He doesn’t drop the gospel histrionics – there aren’t any truly impressive runs – but he delivers a balanced, nuanced, and pleasant performance.  The premise of the record is switching, “to be somebody else.” On the first verse, he seems to focus on a hypothetical switch for himself.  On the second verse, the focus shifts to his girlfriend switching from “A small town girl, now she all famous,” and concerned with the status and monogamy of their relationship.  “If I find out you cheating me, just know that,” 6LACK sings from her perspective, “I’ma kill you and that ho, ain’t no going back.” He ends the verse by switching right back, telling her, “I told you everything from the start / And you the one that had a change of heart.”

Final Thoughts 

Going into “Switch,” depth wasn’t a consideration.  With urban contemporary records, it’s rarely a consideration these days, no shade.  That said, 6LACK has something here, that’s definitely at least more thought-provoking than expected.  He’s become famous, a girlfriend pre-fame is dealing with his fame and even her own because she’s with him, she lays down the ground rules, he doesn’t like them, and wants to potentially switch off.  Dramatic, yet incredibly entertaining.  “Switch” is fresh, well-performed, and well-produced.

6LACK • Switch – Single • Interscope • Release: 6.22.18

Photo Credits: Interscope