Theory is the NY-based Rapper and Producer hard-set on taking listeners' playlists by storm with his Island-infused Hip-hop and Dancehall amalgamated music productions.
It's a devout and certitude-based ambition that fuels the buzzing vibes behind his latest Single, "Toni Braxton," a warm track that floats buoyantly between an archipelago of shoreline connections weaving between Hip-hop, R&B, and Dancehall.
With an oozing Soca rhythm, Theory sets a steady cadence for Toni Braxton to sail across the Island-inspired auricular sonics chaperoned by; flute hooks, twinkling triangles, and shimmering pads, the adhesive unified flow, and a sharp punch in the low-end.
Here, the NY-based rapper and the qualified intoners he's meticulously stanchioned throughout his dancehall paradise—sonically interweave over the sun-shinning, sun-glass festooning vibes that good weather usually comes attached to. It's a song that immediately gets you in the mood to go out and conquer the day, especially over a soundtrack that renders-up tantalizingly vivid from verse to hook, where Theory crisscrosses between a clever-tongued Emcee and into a tuned songster, with the warbling top-line, "Somebody, Please Call Toni Braxton."
It's an egalitarian-approach to exhibiting the inspirations and cultural experiences that makes Theory a multi-diverse talent, and after all, he's said it before, "Theory is Everything." It's a nebulous ethos the East-coast rapper has adopted, and yet, it somehow makes sense when stanzas like, "my music on her phone, my name on her belly, she told me Theory is everything, I call her Machiavelli," devastate with how nonchalant they land and how keenly they shine.
What were some of the musical inspirations that went into "Toni Braxton?" (other than the singer herself).
Musically, Simone and I dived into the Latin Pop/Reggaeton bounce and captured elements from it. The guitars were a must to keep so we had an authenticity to it, and not full-on electronics and synths. The flute was inspired by me whistling in a memo and the feel from the hit song “Lean Back” by Fat Joe. If you played them back to back, the whistle arrangement is inspired by it. What were some of the emotions and vibes you found yourself dipping into for the performances you've captured over "Toni Braxton"?
Knowing that I posted the freestyle on “TikTok” initially, it was always in the back of my mind to ride that energy related to the apps culture. I was very cautious about the emphasis of each line because I wanted the listener to be like “That’s my favorite part” and in fact, transcend my personality into someone else’s lifestyle. I worked diligently with artists Vince and Danielle on their execution and they both have set high standards for their part. Who did you end up collaborating with over the Hook and featured Verses for "Toni Braxton," and what was it like working with them?
Besides myself, Vince Palmeri was in the verse. He and I have been talking to make a collaborative track for a while as I saw much promise in his hunger for Pop music. We both recorded our verses at Overit Studios in Albany, NY with Adam Clairmont engineering the track. The vibe was fun and free. There was a point where the verse had different lyrics and we laughed all together saying, “Oh no, that won’t work!” Hahaha! Once the final lyrics were laid out, we knew we’re onto something. However, it was just Vince and me, and I let a friend in Moldova listen to it. In her own words, “Theory, I like it but...it NEEDS a female vocalist!” I called my business partner Kevin Gordon in Las Vegas and asked him about his artist, now known as “Danielle Farah”, based in Tallahassee FL. After a few conversations on the phone, some lyrical and melodic exchanging, and Simone and I modifying the production to create her slot, we had another verse. It was mint from then on!
Can you take us back to what the inception for "Toni Braxton" was like? Did it start in a DAW, in a studio with co-producer Simone Ermacora, or with a simple Melody on paper?
At first, I was freestyling on a music app that later became my verse for the song. My younger sister said to me, “Wow this is hot. You should make an actual song out of this!”, after hearing my freestyle. I also shared it with Vince Palmeri who saw much potential in the verse itself. He and I purchased the products used on the app, but I went deeper and consulted with Simone in Italy to reproduce the entire sound. As we went back and forth we built the song element by element until we felt certain of its energy. It wasn’t until I was in the studio that I confirmed the title was “Toni Braxton”. I knew Identifying someone who captured your attention immediately, someone with poise and class, and ultimately a timeless effect was symbolically what Toni Braxton means to me. So, in essence, her name was a label to that type of person.
What has been keeping you inspired in 2020?
Battling through the trenches and pitfalls. Understanding the fall and recognizing humility. 2020 has put many to a halt and it has shown us how much we took for granted. The simplicities in life: family, health, and mental awareness. I’ve made so many mistakes and had such a negative cloud over me to the point it was very consuming. My humility reminded me to rise above it and focus on the normality of my life. Though I’m not perfect, I’m hopeful and now mistakes are pardoned as I seek new frontiers and foreseeable success. All in all, it is what we manifest that presents the results.