Mass Appeal Premiere
2017 has been a stellar year for Brady Watt. He traveled the world with DJ Premier as a member of his The Badder Band and joined Preem for a monumental NPR Tiny Desk Performance (the first such ever performance by a DJ), announced his signing to Premier’s TTT (To The Top) imprint and premiered new music with XXL, Mass Appeal and Okayplayer.
Generally regarded as one of the industry’s preeminent bassists, Brady’s nickname “Bassgod” was bestowed upon him by Dame Dash after many studio and live sessions and outside of holding down residence in Premier and Talib Kweli’s live bands, Brady writes, produces and composes his material. That diversity and versatility was on full display during the calendar year, as Brady worked with Jay Electronica, G-Eazy, 2 Chainz, Joey Bada$$, Rick Ross and Curren$y, produced two tracks for Talib Kweli & Styles P Seven EP & worked on eight tracks on Statik Selektah’s (including appearing on the lead-single, “Man Of The Hour,” featuring 2 Chainz and Wiz Khalifia) recently released 8 album. Brady will also be featured on an upcoming track from DJ Premier & Royce 5’9”’s PRhyme 2 album which will be released in early 2018 and recently started headlining shows with his band at the legendary Blue Note.
Today, Brady puts a bow on his year by premiering the third single, “Roads,” featuring NYC based, indie soul artist Michael Blume from his forthcoming new album To Get Back Home with Mass Appeal.
While “Roads” is a new collaboration between Brady and Blume, the pair have previously collaborated (Brady produced the first two singles “Manufactured Love” & “Colors” from Blume’s When I Get It Right EP, released July 2016) and that chemistry is evident on “Roads.” “The very first time I met Michael Blume we made the song "Manufactured Love." I was first blown away by his vocal abilities; his pitch and skill at creating unique harmonies and counterpoint were REAL impressive” Brady commented to Mass Appeal. “We are from much different musical backgrounds that intersect at various points. I later found out he was a member of a prestigious acapella group at Yale and also spent equal time cutting his teeth on Soul/R&B, which helps explain his monstrous abilities in the booth. Me on the other hand, I have my roots more so in Hip-Hop and Jazz, the convergence of worlds allowed us to explore a whole new soundscape. We kept working, he dropped "Manufactured Love" and "Colors" produced by me, both of which hit the Spotify viral charts, and within a year he got signed to S-Curve/BMG and went on to sellout the Bowery Ballroom twice. It was so dope to see! “Roads” is a record that evolved over time. I had a skeleton of it sitting around for about a year, but I always knew it was special. A song can be in the most bare bones of states and virtually unintelligible to others, but in my mind I know where it's at, just has to be sculpted at the right time. Mike wrote to it over time, cut the vocals and then I really started to go in on the arrangement. . I cut the bass way later in the process and am so glad I did. The way it comes in with the lyrics "sleep with all the lights on" in the second verse is my favorite part of the song.”
At its core, “Roads” is a song about trusting yourself and the journey; no matter where it takes you. “Roads” is about the journey and keeping the faith. As musicians and artists we are always fighting an uphill battle. Even when we are being told no, we must continue creating, revising, remaking, reimagining” Michael stated to Mass Appeal. “It's easy to let doubt overcome at moments, but when I remember that the goal is growth, I am able to keep my head up and keep walking down the road in front of me, one step at a time. This record is about knowing that that road is there and making the conscious decision to keep walking even when you can't quite see what's in front of you. It's about trusting the fact that perseverance makes champions.”
Checkout the Mass Appeal Premiere: here