‘Word Is Bond’ is an ode to golden era hip-hop that embraces the genre-bending possibilities of contemporary rap music. The single’s sonic palette and lyrical content brings together the timeless spirit of pioneers like A Tribe Called Quest and J Dilla, while blending in the contemporary edge of artists like Little Simz, Denzel Curry, and Joey Bada$$.
In a world where the lines between generations and genres are constantly blurred, ‘Word Is Bond’' stands as a testament to the enduring power of hip-hop's rich history, all while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in our pop music landscape. Shunaji's captivating vocals, paired with Henry Keen's masterful crate-digging and production, create a unique sound that bridges generational gaps and is set to attract a diverse audience. The song explores the themes of loyalty, kinship, and authenticity, as Shunaji hypnotises listeners with a mantra: “When I write it in pen, the word is bond. Looking in the eyes of a friend, the word is bond”.
Henry Keen's production is a fusion of past and present, with a richly textured beat and beautifully selected samples that pay homage to hip-hop legends while pushing the envelope of electronic soundscapes. After releasing his second studio album, ‘Freedom In Movement’, in 2022, the Dorset-via-London DJ and producer continues to inspire with a musical sensitivity that reflects his wide-ranging record collection. The result is an unforgettable and immersive listening experience that captivates the ear, heart, and soul.
‘Word Is Bond’ is a testament to the evolution of hip-hop, where the past and present harmoniously coexist, offering a bridge between generations of music lovers. Shunaji and Henry Keen have created a sound that resonates with fans of all ages and backgrounds, celebrating the timeless spirit of hip-hop.
Long-time fans of hip-hop and newcomers alike, ‘Word Is Bond’ is set to reel us in.
lyrics
When I write it in pen
The word is bond
Looking in the eyes of a friend
The word is…
I wear my heart on my sleeve, unless it’s summer
Run the game like I’m on the clock, still not a runner
Mamma thought I’d be Usain Bolt, I turned out Cobain
How could I abort the mission? Like it’s Roe and Wade.
Twelve years a slave, now rocking suede, where’s my award?
Stuck in a painting lucid dreaming ‘bout moving abroad.
So, when you’re ‘bout to talk shit, say it broad-chested
Man’s got interest rates through the roof, a girl is not invested
'Cause with this flow I go positively lateral,
Don’t fuck with sushi, but bars I always serve ‘em raw
Hiding under their skin, they’re flaring up, I break in
I'm aiming high, ‘cause aiming low to me is equal to sin
Now watch me rise from the ash, call me the birth of Venus
Fake friends to fuck your life up, R.I.P. River Phoenix
I, yes, me, I. I say it how I mean it,
That if I woke up a liar, I wouldn’t bother breathing
When I write it in pen
The word is bond
Looking in the eyes of a friend
The word is bond
When I see you again
The word is bond
I don’t need to pretend
The word is bond (it’s bond)
They make me out to be the bad guy,
And I would like to try, but I got no spare time
Never get jealous of my fella ‘cause I know what’s mine
Homemaker like Carmela, but I’ve never been that wife
Now press that TMI button, and press it twice (see?)
Like a good kid, with a bad past, Lindsay Lohan style
May be a witch, may be a bitch, at least I’m not Regina
Juicy prom queen from the ‘90s worshipping Aaliyah
What’s better than being free? It’s being “freer”
And there’s no place that I’d rather be than being here
Come and see me spit on mics and chasing pavements,
The rest is always selfishly stated in mission statements
“Here’s a top tier kind of rapper, mostly underrated”
She’s overspending all her spending budgets and wages
I lick my finger, grip the pen, and then I flip the pages
Words in the lost and found, and now I’m here to claim them
When I write it in pen
The word is bond
Looking in the eyes of a friend
The word is bond
When I see you again
The word is bond
I don’t need to pretend
The word is bond (it’s bond)
When I write it in pen
The word is bond
Looking in the eyes of a friend
The word is bond
When I see me again
The word is bond
I don’t need to pretend
The word is bond (it’s bond)
It’s bond...
credits
released November 10, 2023
Drum programming: Henry Keen
Synths and Samples: Henry Keen
Lead Vocals: Shunaji
Backing Vocals: Shunaji
Mixed by Henry Keen and Shunaji
Mastered by Hippy Baldwin at Metropolis Studios
Zambian rapper and producer Abstract Sekai fuses golden era hip-hop with ambient sound design and a heady cosmic philosophy. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 17, 2023
