301icon Hates “Love Songs”
- BUZZ LA
- Apr 11, 2023
- 4 min read
Emerging artist 301icon is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, representing the DMV area with his unique blend of Afro-pop, trap, and R&B. Born to a pair of worship directors, his love for music started at an early age.
301icon began playing piano at four and performing live at services when he was nine. But it was through the first heartbreaks that he learned the power of music to express, transmit, and heal emotions and mental traumas. He embarked on a mission to break genre boundaries and explore the deeper aspects of human expression.
301icon's music is a complete reflection of his personality. His leading brand celebrates the life and encourages healing and growth. At the same time, his alter-ego expressed through his Broken Lover releases grants listeners permission to live more openly through difficult emotions like heartbreak, anger, and grief. He is a complete artist who creates from any state of being, wielding dual blades of vulnerability and perseverance.
The singer-producer's talent has been widely recognized in LA, winning the Grammy-week Something Dope competition weeks after moving to the City of Angels. With his releases ranging from the whole palette of human emotion and musical expression, 301icon is on his way to taking the music industry by storm. His latest single, "Love Songs" off 2022's Broken Lover II, exemplifies his nuanced emotional approach to music.
The music video for "Love Songs," directed by Errand Boy and produced by Rèmi Fréyo, takes the viewer on a multi-layered journey that explores the depths of Icon's pain. The video is shot through multiple perspectives that serve as the perfect backdrop where the bleeding of his neon heart begins to fade through betrayal, symbolizing the anguish that Icon is experiencing. He is seen strewn over a sofa, painfully belting out his woe. The cutscenes in the video provide a deeper understanding of the source of his pain, which is toxic infidelity and dishonesty.
The video also highlights a deeper message about love and betrayal. When your love is unfaithful, it can feel like you don’t even know who they are, and all you can feel is pain. Icon's response to this pain is to sing it out, to express his hurt through his music. It is a testament to his resilience and his commitment to creating music that explores the full range of human emotions.
301icon's "Love Songs" is a testament to his artistry and commitment to breaking genre boundaries. The track showcases the intense emotional range of his inhuman vocal cords, and the music video takes the viewer on a multi-layered journey that explores the depths of his pain. Icon is an artist who creates from any state of being, wielding dual blades of vulnerability and perseverance. He is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, and "Love Songs" is just the beginning of his journey to becoming the next big thing.
Welcome to BuzzMusic 301icon! Cheers to getting through that wild episode on "Love Songs," where you explore the theme of heartbreak and the journey of moving on. How has your experience with heartbreak influenced how you approach writing and producing music?
My heartbreak experience heavily influences how I approach writing and producing music. We all have different ways of coping with pain. My way has always been music. "Love Songs" was written in the middle of the most toxic relationship I’ve been in, and it was my way of processing the heartache I was experiencing.
The "Love Songs" music video features powerful imagery of emotional pain and resilience. How did you work with the video production team to bring your vision to life and convey the song's message?
I’ve always pictured heartbreak to be almost violent. It’s like someone’s ripping your heart out. The cover art of love songs depicts that very imagery. So with the video, we decided to continue that theme by showing me being kidnapped and tortured by women I once loved. The video producer (Rèmi Fréyo), the production team (Errand Boy and Eman from Future History Labs), and I came up with the concept together, but they were the ones who brought it to life.
"Love Songs" is just one example of the emotional range you bring to your music. How do you balance vulnerability and strength in your songwriting, and what do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I feel like vulnerability and strength are often seen as opposite ends of the spectrum. However, I believe vulnerability is a strength because you’re not afraid of what others might think of you. It’s easy to hide behind a mask. It’s harder to love yourself and be secure enough to show your truth without fear of how it will be perceived. I hope my listeners will remember that love, gratitude, and self-awareness are the keys to overcoming anything.
Regarding songwriting, “Love Songs" showcases your unique blend of Afro-pop, trap, and R&B. Can you speak to the importance of genre-bending and pushing musical boundaries in your creative process?
The genre of hip-hop has become monotonous; it all feels the same. I cannot feel like I am a true artist if I’m copying the next guy or following the trend. Sonically, the music has to be relevant, and yes, you can have the same starting point, but if I don’t add a new feeling to my offerings, I feel I’m copying instead of creating.
With Broken Lover II on the horizon, what can fans expect from your upcoming release? How does "Love Songs" fit into the larger narrative of the project?
Broken Lover II is out. "Love Songs," in a way, is the narrative. It’s the beginning track on the EP and sets the tone. It’s the story of a man wanting to be in love, wanting to love a certain person, trying to love a certain person, but failing because of the pain that loving that person causes.
