Stevie - Westside Love Story (Album)
Release Date: 7/30/2021 (Soundcloud)
Streaming Platform Release Date: 8/15/2021
What’s good y’all? Pardon the slight delay but we are back to the regularly schedules program. Today’s forecast, we pedaling back to cover the latest project release from the artist known as STEVIE. Last month in August, we saw the release of “Westside Love Story” on all streaming platforms. A dope collection that paints a picture of the complications faced in a modern day romance where he’s from. Without further delay, let’s get into the project. Run it up!
The first record is titled “Long Way” and introduces the artist’s perspective on the love of his life. To have trust in another and security in their actions is next level trust. The type of bond that doesn’t require 24/7 presence. In the absence of each other’s company, no feelings are lost or found elsewhere. When the intimacy is built upon genuine mutualism, it’s something that you will never have to second guess. Sometimes it’s better to create that space and let each other do yourselves. When the connection is made again, you’ll pick back up where you left off and the vibe will not have skipped a beat. No matter where I’m at or where you been, just know when the time is right that I’m a be there for you. I fuck with you the long way.
An ode to your ride or die. Bless the woman who can understand and be willing to accompany on your journey. To make your lady feel secure is not hard to do. Very little is required to be said but true reassurance can be communicated through action. So always keeping her close and being proud to have them on your way up is the best thing you can do. Anyone willing to put themselves in a position to make your grind easier is worth keeping around. It’s safe to say they earned that seat in the foreign once it comes around. To uplift the one who held you down is a blessing that only a real one can selflessly do for a patient woman who bleeds loyalty. All gas, no brakes, we gon’ take it to the top with each other for as long as you want to ride.
Click the button above to see what the weather watcher had to say about “Genuine” off this project. Watch the video above if you haven’t already. This one is addictive.
On this track, Stevie recruits CZB Bambi on the feature. When she’s a bad one, there’s not much you can do but help shorty thrive. Respect her right to choose and understand they’ll go where they want to be. There’s no controlling but if you show that trust in her she can’t find no where else, how can she not fuck with something real. Everyone can gas her up or tell her what she wants to hear but honesty sticks out. “I never talk about women with other women, that shit is for women. Love her mixed signals, what is you sending?” Sometimes you don’t have to talk about the past or what y’all been through before. Everyone has a past and a history but not everyone can see their future. To get out your feelings and in your bag with someone is a rare incidence but not impossible. When the potential is there, it’s on you to bring out the best in that and leave the negativity in the rearview.
A memorable moment in the project comes with “Mandatory” as we get a break from the heavy subject matter. Stevie takes an intermission from the love story with quick in and out track to provide some bars for the rap heads. The heavy bass line and plucking instrumental contrast with the vocals of the artist that brings a new dimension to the music itself. Although the record does not have a defined concept, it provides some of the best punch lines and quotables on the tape. “I don’t hold no grudge against the bitch, the money is the payback. And if you don’t do head then please motherfucking say that.” Don’t let the love songs fool you, STEVIE goes in when it’s necessary.
A special moment in the project is found in “Get It Right” with a feature from Juziah. The two artists link together and create nothing short of a god damn vibe. “I don’t care who you think of at night, long as we gon get it right.” Stevie starts off the first verse and speaks on the bad one who caught his attention. Unable to really say what it is about shorty that stands out but the feeling can’t be fought. Juziah takes off effortlessly right after the hook from Stevie. Juziah tells listeners about the shorty who he’s trying to get it right with you. She might be apprehensive about messing with a rapper. You can probably guess what to expect but that ain’t the case. Juziah lets it be known that everything about him is authentic. You don’t have to be worried about being fed lies, Juziah calls it how he sees it. No mixed signals over here, if you are down to slide then don’t hesitate. Don’t let something real intimidate you. All things require effort, eventually you’re going to figure it out and get it right if it’s meant to be. Why not try to find out?
All things that glitter ain’t always gold. Sometimes you got to fall back to show them what they missing out on if they aren’t fulfilling their side of the effort. You got to let them go find out what they think is out there. Stevie takes the first verse to tell a bitch to take a long walk off a short bridge before BBK Pe$o takes over on the hook. Further stamping the message into the instrumental about a bitch doing bad elsewhere. A falling out doesn’t bring the world to an end and only leaves room to level the playing field. Go out and go find better if you’re taking this for granted. Sacrifices are made on both ends but all that petty shit is out the window. She got to do better cause happiness is built and not found. So whatever you choose to do, it’s going to require work either way. If you have to question your dedication to a difficult situation, your loyalty was never solid to begin with. No more back and forth, if you’re unhappy then pack a bag.
Stevie provides an essential vibe with an artist named Liyah in the hook of this record. “The way my body shivers and it shakes when you make me scream your name. We don’t have time to waste, you know I ain’t here to play no games.” Sometimes the tension and hurt dished out can’t be fixed with words. The physical needs to sort these things out and the release into each other before the smoke clears. The pain caused is really just a cry for the deepest form of intimacy and love. With the pent up frustration let out, there’s a moment of clarity. You see this person in their most vulnerable state, the unimportant arguments don’t matter and all their wrong doings do not define their worth. To bask in the moment of each other’s presence and touch is a language that knows no words. Although it may be temporary, you are briefly brought back to a more level headed perspective of who you’re dealing with and what you’re willing to compromise on to make it work in the long run.
The best way to conclude a rollercoaster of feelings, Stevie ends the project with “Westside Love Story pt. 2.” The title serves as a follow up from the “Westside Love Story” track on his last project “Burn.” Regardless of the last visitation of the concept, part 2 sums up all the feelings felt through the WSL project. “Sometimes you hella difficult, sometimes you owning up. Sometimes I don’t care and sometimes I care too much. That’s the beauty of this shit though. If things was perfect all the time, we wouldn’t feel relief from shit we got to let go.” Accountability works both ways and being able to have difficult conversations are part of it. Everything we ever gone through shapes how we go through the rest of our lives, but everything that defines us has nothing to do with another individual. To let go of the pride and accept that learning is required from both sides is hard. There’s no shame to admit that you’re wrong or need someone’s attention to help keep yourself grounded. No one needs anyone to be secure or happy but to allow yourself to be an open book with someone who knows how to care for your pages is all we really need. It can take a lifetime, it can take a moment, or you can take it for granted and never find out. Being right all the time isn’t right. Find that one who can bring out the honesty and build your character. Allow each other to acknowledge your flaws and find a way to help heal beyond it. That’s what applying pressure really means. Speaking from the deepest parts of your heart and mind while learning each other’s boundaries can set that foundation. Nothing about trying to get it right is easy but being willing to try to learn is the first step.
How did you feel about this Westside Love Story? Give it a listen and follow the artist below. Plenty more music on the way from Stevie, so tap in and stay tuned.
— the weather watcher 🌦🛰