“I ain’t gonna stress
I ain’t got no money left
But my bills paid”
SafeNsound, the magnetic and soulful hip hop duo composed of producer AmbI Lyrics and vocalist/producer L.A. VanGogh, release the second single, “nine ta five bluez,” from their soon to be released EP, safeNsound presents L.A. VanGogh. We’re introduced to the track by VanGogh’s silky voice and the beginning of a dreamy and melodic bed of music produced by Ambi Lyrics & L.A.. Rambling off fun and relatable bars like, “But I don’t know what they been saying to y’all/Do you think I got time to be playin’ with y’all/Let me double check my schedule/I’m free between the hours of hell and no.” His words are clever, he talks about real life struggles with a sense of humor and positivity. The beat has some dope rhythmic fills, and it’s catchy as hell. “Nine ta five bluez” is the first song the duo made for this project, so it’s an honor to premiere it. Their strength together is undeniable. The production is consistently rich, fresh and refined, and the lyrics are substantial without heaviness. Be sure to also listen to their first single, “changed my number.”
Individually, these two have made inspired music for years. L.A. VanGogh is a consummate artist, equally skilled as vocalist, producer and lyricist. I have followed AmbI Lyrics for some time now, but really caught on when she released the gorgeous single, “Otero Tunes,” from her Your Music EP. She was born and raised in St. Louis, moved to Chicago six years ago and has worked with some of Chi’s best, including Mick Jenkins, Jean Deaux, Via Rosa, The Mind and Nosidam to name a few. She reps Pivot Gang.
I was invited to Private Stock’s beautiful studio at Fort Knox to hear more of the safeNsound presents L.A. VanGogh EP and to meet the artists. It was a casual, light hearted conversation with a lot of laughter. I brought some blueberry muffins I’d just baked, still warm from the oven, and to my relief, the room fucked with blueberries! I chatted with L.A., AmbI, Nosidam, Luis Arroyo and a couple more of their friends. We talked about her name, and as I’d just read a deep interview of hers by Ben Niespodziany, (read that one for real insight on this gifted woman,) I knew that it was a short version of “ambition.” She added that, “It means ambient too. My sound is very airy, it can also be dark and slow.” Her favorite beat is “Adrenaline Rush” by Twista. Kendrick Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered had come out the night before we linked and L.A. VanGogh was enthused, “The new Kendrick – Oh my God. Untitled Unmastered is so good. Kendrick is other worldly, he’s amazing.” We talked a little politics, neither artist wants to live in a country run by Trump. They are performing at SXSW and hope President Obama’s presence there won’t make it hard to move in Austin. As well as performing a safeNsound set, AmbI will perform with Chante and DJ for Via Rosa.
On this evening AmbI was talking about and inspired by strippers, L.A. VanGogh laughed and just said, “no.” I do believe that if AmbI Lyrics’ schedule allowed, she could add stand up comic to her resume. Though she said, “Every time I say something, they laugh, but I’m serious. I feel so sad you’re all laughing. I was being for real. I really love strippers. Shout out to the strippers.” She went on about this particular source of inspiration, “They help the whole community. Strippers are therapists, they are awesome, they help people change their lives. They inspire you to be great. I see strippers everywhere, they are in my head right now. Shout out to the strippers.” (I promised her that I’d include this shout out.)
In addition to safeNsound, both L.A. and AmbI are continuing to work on solo projects. I may have the scoop on AmbI’s, Study Hall. She wants to have the album’s release party on her birthday at The Factory. I asked if AmbI also sings (met with more laughter in the room.) She said she tries to, and when I asked if she’s ever rapped she answered, “Mama Sims, look, we have to discuss some things. I was never a rapper.” Her friends tell me she’s lying. She continued, “We don’t need to focus on that. The focus is on these blueberry muffins you brought, and this project we’re releasing.” In all seriousness, safeNsound are about to impact with this EP, it’s due mid April. These are artists to be reckoned with. They also have a compilation project on the way, they’ll be handling all production and have grabbed “a bunch of our favs” for features. They said the music is crazy. After hearing their entire debut EP, I can tell you that you need to pay attention to safeNsound.
