Lancelot Junior Dean Bravo is the Jamaican Born Emcee who performs under the cognomen, Clane Mathew. His Hip-hop career's inception comes about in 2018, when the menacing Rapper first introduced the world to his Debut, "The Unspoken Word," a mid-tempo burner that quietly devasted as he versified about Racial Division in America.
"As a black man in the United States of America, the only things these folks appreciate is my athleticism and stamina," he explains, touching on the crucial sentiments that plague all minorities living in this country.
From there, his ethos became one focused-in on providing awareness, and eventually, positivity to all his musical endeavors. His destiny didn't settle there. The young budding Musical entrepreneur went on to create a Record Label—L.B. Music Productions—and signed artist's from across the globe to join the mounting corporation. This year, with enough time and energy left within himself to release more of his own Emcee-flow and riffling-bars, Clane Mathew presents "An Immigrant Story"—a ten-track recollection of the story behind his nomadic and turbulent past.
Clane Mathews distinguishes himself as a Rapper with an elevated mindset. He shovels over profound lyricism, elegist monologues, and honest, quietly devastating disclosures about the country we live in; and it's all packed into a Record format that renders like a director's commentary. Each track has an attached Monologue and a profound sentimental down-pour of crucial life introspections, enabling a deeper connection to this Emcee's true essences.
All the struggles and turbulence he describes doesn't come without an appreciation for the lessons he's learned throughout Life's process. "I thank god for everything that's happened in my past and everything I was able to witness," he recounts, over the prologue to the Records eponymous opening track. Here, the meandering mid-simmer Hip-hop escapades render Clane in an ominous candescent tinge, as he buzzes over his vibed-out cantor. It's a production that features scintillating hi-hats that disperse over the 32nd note scatters that exude over every bar's downbeat.
There are moments where his verbiage is punctuated with an ominous manifestation of a demonic-sounding harmonic that synergizes with his final words. "This an immigrant story of how a little boy from a little town won a victory," Clane resounds over his fervently monochromatic words. It's an intoxicating introduction and an appropriate representation of the type of steadfast work he's already gained notoriety for.
"Silent Night" manifests like the downshift gear on "An Immigrant Story's" excursion. Clane Mathew sounds like the contrasting variation to his opener here. He operates, smoothly weaving himself between the delicate fingerings of a nostalgically reverberant piano. Even synergizing over his vocal doubles as if to accentuate each dissolving syllable that leaves his lips. It's a propensity for storytelling that hasn't been readily available amongst the mumble raps, hoodlum boasting, and curt language featured over Soundcloud these days. Here, Clane reminds us of depictive narratives mirroring André 3000 during his Prime.
His ingenuity doesn't stop there. On "I.O.U," our lyricist swipes past the revolving doors and enters into the liquefied territory; where pianos, electric guitars, distorted horn drones collude together in an attempt to embellish Clane's steadfast display of Topline affluence over his captivating chorus. It all borders on the verge of feeling congested, but somehow, his presence—front and center—never feels lopsided or squabbled with.
Over the third Monologue, Clane sets us up with a mindset that makes us feel like we're on top of the world. He talks about overcoming adversity and accepting that he can accomplish what he sets out to do in his career; it all culminates over the next track, "The Greatest." Clane Mathew floats buoyantly over hymn-like resoundings with render decorated with weighted vocal effects that convey reminiscence to some of the best R&B cuts from the 2000s. He sings over his hook here, and it feels like the moments of praise we used to get in Church—where flocks from back and front congregate together to celebrate over a bouncy measure and an uplifted spirit.
It's much of the same sentiment here, only Clane isn't praising the powers above necessarily; he's jovially cogitating over his own new-found fervor. It's a track that stands out from the rest as a prime opportunity to get out of our seats and to vibe-out while dancing to the progressive R&B and Hip-hop production of shimmering toplines, crunchy percussive beats, and keys that dance across prismatic majors.
The last few moments on "An Immigrant Story" conjures up some of the most profound sentiments from us as an audience. Monologue #4 facilitates the hard-earned mindset that Clane Mathew now manifests through every aspect of his creative career. Even despite the ghoulish nightmares, he recalls experiencing as a result of the demons of his past. What comes attached is the last number on this deeply touching Record, "Keys to the Kingdom." Here, Clane channels his Jamaican roots over a swerving production that influences dance-hall vibes.
There's a heated intoxicating island-like articulation found within the hook, and as we head-bob along to the sunny-side of this finale, there's only one thing left to ask. What will Clane do next?
Dive into "An Immigrant Story" here.
Hello Clane, thank you for taking the time to catch up with us at BuzzMusic. You describe your Life's story through this Record with the veteran cantor of an Emcee from the Golden Era of Hip-hop, but who inspired this type of aesthetic and character for you as an artist?
Eminem and Kendrick Lamar (mostly Kendrick Lamar) are the ones who inspired my character as an artist. When I started out in music, I used Eminem‘s flow and wordplay as a reference to start my career. Over time I started getting into Kendrick Lamar, and once I heard his work, he made me see my music in a different light. He helped me to figure out who I was as a person, and made me ask the big question: is your music-making a difference? And ever since then, I strived to become the person/artist I am today.
What what the thought process behind the curation of this Record, and where did the idea of each track having its own attached Monologue come from?
Well as the title suggests, I wanted the album to parallel the art of storytelling. Yeah, words on a beat are great and all, but I wanted more than that. I really wanted the audience to connect with me on a personal level like never before. I wanted them to feel everything I felt at the exact moments I felt it, and that’s where I got the idea of the monologues. After each song, I made the monologues into second parts of the song that came before it. With this at play, it would give the listener a more in-depth understanding and a deeper connection to my story, as if they’ve experienced it too. With that in place, I was able to tell my story and my experience piece by piece in a creative way that would keep listeners engaged and wanting more; and so far it worked tremendously. I’ve gotten countless messages of fans crying throughout the album since it’s release on Sep. 1, and countless other messages saying this is my best work yet.
When you think back to the writing, recording, and release process behind "An Immigrant Story," what stands out as one of the most impactful lessons you've learned about yourself as an artist?
The lesson I learned is to never second guess yourself. I’ve done so much deleting and re-recording during the making of this album, and so many different mixes and masterings. I was exhausted because I wanted it to be perfect. I talked to the chief engineer of my label and I said to him “I don’t know man, I feel like this isn’t enough. I feel like this isn’t good enough.” He told me “we’re all gonna think that because we take our art very seriously. The best thing to do is to try your best and after you know that you’ve done your best, leave it at that, because if you continue to change and change, you’ll ruin what you’ve got.” I took his advice and I did it to the best of my ability, and boom! I’ve created my best work yet! That’s a lesson I’m gonna hold on to for the rest of my life.
Every creator has their own individualistic Milestones that they aim to achieve throughout their career. Did you feel like, after this Record, you have gained some footing over the mileage it takes to achieve those goals?
Yes, I do! Honestly, this whole year I’ve exceeded my expectations, and I am truly grateful. I wanted to start a record label maybe when I was 30 years old. I’m 22, and I have a record label now with artists signed across the globe, so I think I’ve definitely passed some of my milestones. In regards to the album, I think I’ve reached a milestone as well. I’ve always wanted to create the best work I can; something that would rock audiences off their seats, and I’ve finally done it so I’m very proud of myself. Even though I thought I would have achieved it sooner, I always believe that God’s timing is right and in sync with my destiny and his plan.
If you could leave your audience with a few words that would render up as a fleshly prologue for the profound experience they are about to plunge into on "An Immigrant Story," what would you feel the need to say and why?
Be prepared. And the reason why I say this is because this album digs deep into my personal life and it could relate to anyone who listens. Be prepared to feel joy, sadness, and hope in one sitting. I hope this album inspires anyone who hears it, and I hope it assures them that whatever they lay their hands to, will prosper in due season.