Substantial – See Hear [Video]

The video, directed beautifully by Ariel “Rel” Nuñez, opens up with a local elder speaking on Baltimore’s history, more specifically how the city experienced a stark decline after the Disco era undoubtedly due to the recession and crack epidemic of the early 80’s. Sub picks up the gentleman’s baton and takes us on a tour of B-more, exposing us to the good and not-so-good. Still, throughout everything Substantial looks optimistically to the future. Don’t think Sub sees everything through rosy glasses, he acknowledges challenges and divisions within the city but lets us know he’s still invested in the place and the people because “that’s real unity, remembering it starts with you!”

Produced by Algorythm of The Stuyvesants, the beat knocks with rare precision and the harmonies, both in the beat and provided by Steph The Sapphic Songstress, mirror the optimism in Substantial’s sharp lyrics. In an age where many MC’s are either jaded or out of touch, it’s refreshing to hear (and see) someone so focused on the future!