SAFE
Toronto artist blog.
SAFE
has been part of the music scene for quite some time, and a glance at his discography is a testament to that. Despite being well-regarded in the city and earning substantial accolades, I believe he remains widely underrated. Time and again, SAFE has demonstrated his talents, consistently creating timeless classics. His versatility might be a reason for not having a die-hard fanbase, but what sets him apart is his ability to craft music that resonates with a broad audience. His voice is a significant asset in this regard, with soulful and angelic tones that complement his thoughtful production choices. Artists often have that one element that gives their work a special feeling, whether they acknowledge it or not. For me, it's my color grading. Despite the importance of camera angles, locations, and color palettes, people often notice the colors. Similarly, I find myself captivated by SAFE's voice. There's a unique quality about his higher-pitched vocal tone that works perfectly, especially on the higher end of the spectrum. His flows and wordplay are smooth, delivering a relaxed and confident performance that keeps listeners engaged.
However, SAFE's journey to this point wasn't always smooth. Exploring his discography, I delved into some of his older works, such as the 2016 single "Eternity." While the song is well-made, it lacks structure and purpose. The cover art creates a fantastic vibe that the instrumentals follow, but SAFE's performance feels somewhat misplaced, whether due to mixing or delivery. Things do get a lot better quickly. The 2017 track "No Diamonds" is a perfect example of a 180-degree turn. It boasts a more structured and well-balanced performance, with a melodic energy that makes the song memorable after just one listen. SAFE's softer and more delicate delivery on this track adds a fresh dimension to his repertoire. The years 2018, 2019, and 2020 marked his most inconsistent yet experimental phase. Notable gems emerged, like "Don't Pretend," a vibrant collaboration with Khalid and SAFE's most streamed single to date, boasting a staggering 100 million streams on Spotify alone.
"Paid In Full" featuring Playboi Carti, though a unique and seemingly out-of-place collaboration, turned out great, with SAFE's performance standing out. "Try" featuring Lost Kings became an anthem, garnering 12 million streams on Spotify alone. In 2019, SAFE delivered two full-length projects: "Stay Down" and "STAY." "Stay Down," his first full body of work, featured the late Smoke Dawg on "Don't Lie" and showcased an experimental yet distinct amateur sound, which saw significant improvement in subsequent years. "STAY" emerged as a more well-rounded and constructed album, elevating production choices, vocal delivery, and visuals to another level. Personal favorites include "Red Light," "On My Own," and "Nobody Cares." There is just something more structured and memorable about his project. The music here just has a lot more replay value than “Stay Down” and the sound behind “STAY” would only get better. By this point, the quality of SAFE's music reached industry standards, with impeccable production, mixing, and mastering—areas that posed no issues for him compared to many artists.
In 2023, SAFE had his most consistent and quality year to date, releasing 19 projects, including 13 singles and 6 albums. A notable strategy was the use of sped-up and sped-down versions of his music, capitalizing on TikTok trends to expand his reach. He even re-released older albums like "Stay Down" and "SAFE" in these altered versions, a clever move to present his older music in a refined and repurposed manner. Among the releases, "GHS Pt. 2" stands out as SAFE's best and most refined work, a masterpiece from top to bottom. Precision and love went into every aspect, from production to mixing and mastering. Personal favorites like "Don't Sit Right," "KILL 4 U," and "Rent Free" showcase the perfection of these songs. "KILL 4 U" particularly stands as one of my all-time favorites, with a vibe that resonates powerfully. SAFE's performance on the beat is one of the highlights of the year. In 2023, SAFE unleashed an impressive array of music, making it challenging to cover everything in this article. I highly recommend exploring his new music, especially if you're a fan of melodic rap and R&B. You're in for a treat.
Written by Maxim Bayarsky
