MAEZ301

Artists project the voice of the people. They translate our emotions into a universal language meant to be shared. Maez301 holds this responsibility in the highest regard. The New York-born and DMV-raised rapper tempers melodic rhymes and hummable hooks with pensive observations and thoughtful self-examination punctuated by a rare level of empathy. Nearing 1 million total streams and attracting acclaim from the likes of Earmilk, HipHopDX, Music Connection, and more, he gives listeners a platform to relate via his second full-length album, HASAAN [Strange Music].

“I think the job of an artist is to speak on things people go through but may not know how to articulate,” he affirms. “I’m addressing life, love, and experiences in a manner that will translate—which is music. I’m tying in pieces of my own journey, but I’m really focusing on a universal message that hopefully connects.”

As a kid in the Maryland area, hip-hop and basketball instantly appealed to him in equal measure. While playing on his high school basketball team, he recognized a natural predisposition to rhyme.

“Everybody on the team rapped, and I thought I could do it better,” he smiles. “I heard myself on a record one day, and I had to continue doing it.”

He served up his independent Nowhere project in 2017, and it ended up on Strange Music’s radar. Following a meeting at the label headquarters, he signed a deal. His 2019 debut, Maez301, boasted the singles “Ay” [feat. Tech N9ne] (263K Spotify streams) and “Get ‘Em” (177K Spotify streams) as well as high-profile collaborations such as “Change (Intro)” [feat. Sway Calloway] and “Fuck No” [feat. Nef the Pharaoh]. Of “Ay,” Earmilk claimed, “The duo pulls no punches when delivering their verbal blows reminding the listener that they are always on their A-game when it comes to this rap thing.” In addition to appearing on Tech N9ne’s chart-busting N9NA and albums by Strange Music artists Ubi and Joey Cool, he toured nationwide throughout 2019. Recording in Maryland and Los Angeles, he heralded HASAAN with HASAAN PHASE 1, HASAAN PHASE 2, and HASAAN PHASE 3, including “I Like It” [feat. E-40] and “90047” [feat. Bad Lucc], to name a few.

The music notably marked a turning point.

“My real name is HASAAN,” he says. “The first album was about Maez301. This album is more about who HASAAN was and is. It’s a personal look. I’m giving listeners an opportunity to learn more about me. I’m going deeper into understanding myself.”

Among various highlights on HASAAN, “Thank You” offers up a dedication of gratitude to “anyone who takes the time to observe my journey.” Meanwhile, he nods to a personal favorite, Blood Orange, on the hypnotically harmonic “Orange Blood,” which touts “the darker aspects of life.” Then, there’s “20879.” Representing the Maryland zip code he calls home, it serves as a companion piece to the West Coast-centric “90047.”

“I’m splitting my time between Los Angeles and Maryland these days,” he goes on. “My boys, Infinite E and DUCE, are featured on the record, and we’re all from 20879. We’ve been really grinding for years. To be together in this moment is a dream come true. We’re talking about where we came from, where we’re going, what we’re trying to accomplish, and sharing our manifestations on the song.”

“R.I.P.” showcases another side of his artistry altogether. Earmarking a darker moment on the record, he embraces every facet of himself.

“It’s healthy to understand both sides of who you are as a human being: the good and the bad,” he states. “The ultimate goal is evolution of yourself. This was an opportunity for me to examine different areas of my career and show I’m not perfect. I make dumb decisions, I’m aware of them, and I’m a work in progress. I keep that in perspective, and we’re growing together.”

In the end, Maez301’s voice continues to get louder with each subsequent release.

“If I can do anything positive for somebody else, I’ve lived out my purpose,” he leaves off. “It’s so much bigger than music; music is just an opportunity to amplify my message. That’s more valuable to me than anything. If I’ve elevated your frequency in some way, then I’m doing my job. Honestly, there’s nothing more important to me.”

Follow him at:
https://www.instagram.com/maez301/
https://www.facebook.com/maez301
https://twitter.com/maez301
https://www.strangemusicinc.com/artists/maez301

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