New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Rexx Life Raj releases "Tesla in a Pandemic" off his upcoming project California Poppy 2, the sequel to 2018's California Poppy that will be out later this year. "Tesla in a Pandemic" is a memory-soaked highlight; a strong bass line rings and accompanies Raj's masterful wordplay as he marvels at how his life has changed. The track was produced by Raj's in-house producer, Kyle Betty, and mixed by Alex Tumay. The accompanying video (also out now) features Raj piloting his cherry red model Y around the Bay Area, California.
"'Tesla In A Pandemic' was actually inspired by my brother Funk (Ronnie) who's locked up right now," Raj says about the track. "I wasn't planning on making the song but one day we were on the phone talking about life and how it's a blessing to be up enough right now (especially from music) to be able to buy a
Tesla at a time where most of the world is in turmoil. He said 'Bro you should make a whole EP called tesla in a pandemic.' We both laughed but the idea stayed with me. He's a constant theme in my music so to have him be the inspiration behind the song is hella clean. He's the reason the song exists and starts like it does. Free Funk."
Previously released from California Poppy 2, "
Canvas" is led by a swirl of smooth stripped-down beats, while Raj confronts a personal fear that mirrors the anxiety felt in the outside world. Full California Poppy 2 tracklist and details to follow.
Raj also released a live performance of "Burgundy Regal," a highlight from 2019's Father Figure 3: Somewhere Out There.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjUQs3V_Ua8
In addition to releasing thoughtful rap that the San Francisco Chronicle says "has a rare combination of lyrical mastery and dynamic vocal melodies," Raj is passionate about community service. Collaborating with some of today's leading musical trailblazers across R&B (Lloyd, Renz, Mozzy, PJ
Morton and more), Raj recently released "Optimistic" feat. D Smoke — part of a special collaboration that appeared on EMPIRE's new compilation album: EMPIRE Presents: Voices For Change Vol. 1. Profits from the royalties on Voices For Change Vol. 1 were donated directly to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Listen here: https://music.empi.re/voicesforchange1
Earlier this year, Raj released the one-off single "Bounce Back (ft.
G-Eazy and Jay Anthony)." "
Bounce Back" had the honor of being a part of ESPNmusic (@espnmusic) and the NBA on ESPN's (@nbaonespn) featured commercial soundtrack, playing prominently throughout all NBA programming on ESPN and ABC, along with flagship shows Sportscenter and First Take.
Raj has toured and sold-out shows around the world and makes music that isn't afraid to be laugh-out-loud funny while also digging deep into what it means to be a young black man in
America - music for the brain, heart, and NBA 2k20. Fans of Raj include millions of streamers, as well as Pitchfork ("He can rap, hit a falsetto, and Julia Lewis' sparkly production is complemented by the radiant blood red backdrop"), Pigeons & Planes (a Best Artist of the Month), and Complex, comparing the 2019 Rapper To Watch to his local Golden
State Warriors; the young and talented rapper is building up his own dynasty. A Billboard profile from last year highlighted Raj's local philanthropic work with Good & Proper, working with Kehlani, his father's history as a
Black Panthers affiliate, the joys of Olive Garden, and more of his non-music interests, showing a different side to the former college football player (he's 6'3").
