13 Aces Bears It All On His Personal EP, “1331 (pt.1)”
By: Chris Buxton IG: @chrisbuxtonllg
When it comes to music, I am always searching for artists that defy genre norms and push the boundaries. I yearn to hear the unheard, and I fight for the those that I believe deserve to have a voice. Although the industry is very saturated, there are these rare times where I come across a diamond in the rough. This week, I was impressed when I came across emerging artist 13 Aces.
Hailing from Central Islip, NY, 13 Aces is versatile rapper-songwriter that has taken the music industry by storm. Known for his signature trap sound, 13 Aces draws influence from jazz & r&b to craft an expansive hip-hop sound that can’t be put into a box. 13 Aces is raw, captivating, and he stands out amongst his counterparts. Now, he debuts on our pages with his fiery EP, “1331 (pt.1)”.
“1331 (pt.1)” is a transformative project that provides an introspective look into the challenges, uncertainties, and ebbs & flows of a relationship. Over the 4-tracks, 13 Aces explores the nuances of a relationship, and he showcases his exceptional songwriting and delivery. For me, although the EP’s runtime is short, the cohesiveness of the sonics and the storytelling can’t be overlooked. While most artists need 10-20 songs to get an idea across, 13 Aces accomplished it in 4. He’s direct and his ability to evoke raw emotions out of his listeners is a skill in itself.
My favorite songs were “STAY OR GO” & “NO RING”. “STAY OR GO” is a melodic record laced with warm guitar tones a soulful r&b-sampled intro. With features from Bravo Ali & Mishijah, the artists rise to the occasion to create a cohesive record where they all shine. Vocally, the delivery was strong, and it meshed well with the smooth sonics. From a theme standpoint, the song explores the confusion of leaving or continuing a tumultuous relationship. “STAY OR GO” is the perfect song to listen to on those late nights riding through the city. “NO RING” was my personal favorite. The record discusses the hardship and challenges we go through to make a relationship work. With a feature from Bravo Ali, both artists discuss the sacrifices they have gone through for their significant other. 13 Aces bared it all on this record, and I felt I truly saw him as a complete artist on this record. Bravo Ali was the cherry on top vocally. Overall, this is one of the best projects I’ve heard this year so stream it below!
