Los Angeles newcomer RMR released a new bop that is on its way to becoming a huge viral success. Not bad a for an official debut.
The smooth sounding “Rascal,” which could be described as a new age gangster country banger, contains an interpolation of classic “Broken Home” by Ohio country band Rascal Flatts.
Scene from the “Rascal” video
Coincidentally, not since the last country-rap record, “Old Town Road” has a song taken over social media so quickly. “I grew up on country and rap music,” RMR explained to The FADER. “This song is the interpretation of what the new genre should sound like.
The new trap ballad is juxtaposed against the video by images of ski masks and armed gangbangers, which has added to the overall allure of the release. Oddly enough, some people are commenting or making reaction videos questioning whether RMR is actually singing, but the brief acapella run he does at the beginning should make it abundantly clear that he is. Stop judging a book by its cover.
“‘Rascal’ is made with enough genuine skill to elevate it above meme-rap. Along with RMR’s incredible vocals, it’s those keys — those mawkish, sentimental, beautiful keys — that turn RMR’s tales of despair and redemption from the trap into a black sheep Hallmark Channel production.” – The FADER
Comments on YouTube have been coming in at a crazy rate, ranging from “This is incredible,”, and various iterations of “I hate that I like this.”
Scene from the “Rascal” video
There’s a lot of intentional subtle humour packed into both the song and Gabe-directed video—dubbed by many already as a work of genius—but the track itself is seriously already being herald as a potential ‘Song of the Year’ candidate by at least a few people.
The 22-year-old RMR is expected to drop his Drug Dealing Is a Lost Art EP this coming spring. Next week he’ll be dropping a new single inspired by Matchbox-20.
For now, you can find “Rascal” on various digital streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.
You can follow @WhatRMR on Instagram.
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