Recording artist King Solomon recently released his album ‘Illuminate the Dark’. The album depicts a very personal and emotional journey of one man who is led to faith through his experiences. According to King Solomon’s Official Website, ‘Illuminate the Dark’ is an honest look into faith and spirituality from the approach of a prodigal outsider coming back in.” (www.kingsolomonmusic.com). Through a combination of performances which include a fusion of sounds, King Solomon sheds a reflective light on the turmoil that many may face when coming to know the Lord.
The album opens up with the title track “Illuminate the Dark” (ft. Jay Singh). The production is scored by a downtempo beat, pensive melodies and a series of poetic rap bars. King Solomon delivers a powerful story while exuding intense emotion. His lyrical performance on this song is inspiring, uplifting and his words resonate with listeners. Artist Jay Singh lends R&B vocals on “Illuminate the Dark” which are a great complement to the performance.
King Solomon sends out a moving messages for fans. He challenges listeners to consider what it means to be shown the light and path. “Illuminate the Dark” is a track that not only offers fans a captivating beat, but it also delivers compelling lyrical content. King Solomon has an infectious cadence that is raw and feely. Each bar will leave an indelible mark on the psyche.
Check out the Video for “Illuminate the Dark” (feat. Jay Singh)
King Solomon kicks the story up a notch on “Altar Call”, a track which is certain to leave chills behind. “Altar Call” opens with a sequence of beautiful piano chords and slowly building synths which do not overshadow King Solomon’s voice. He performs with a combination of spoken word, rap lyrics and sung verses. The song opens up with a humble prayer that is offered up to the Father.
Throughout “Altar Call” fans are given a look into the conflicted world that is associated with turning from faith or choosing to walk by faith. King Solomon seems to cry out over this track, washing it with tears of a very personal confession. After an encounter with the Savior, he shares from different perspectives what a life of doubt holds. King Solomon teaches fans that even though living by faith is not easy, it is worth it to be welcomed into the arms of the Father. By the end of the song, King Solomon sets aside all things worldly and returns to faith.
King Solomon introduces another collaboration on “Yahweh” (feat. Truthz & Moyege). The title of the song references the Hebrew term for God. “Yahweh” through soulful melodies, uplifting vocals and another set inward rap bars delivered courtesy of King Solomon. King Solomon shares with fans a series of questions that arise after reading through the bible. The questions delve into themes about purpose, where God exists, and if God is able to hear the calls of his followers. As King Solomon croons, “I’m facing a terrible crisis of faith”, listeners are encouraged to dig deeper into the meaning of the term “Yahweh”.
The questions that King Solomon offers up are highly-relevant and likely lingering in the minds of followers whether they are convicted or still sitting on the fence. King Solomon challenges the stereotypes of religion and interpretations that are often taught to instill a fear of God vs. fearing Him with reverence.
“Yahweh” is a beautiful production that handles some pertinent themes. Through it’s infectious performance, the track makes it feel easy to explore and ask questions to gain further clarity on what it means to call on the name of the Lord. King Solomon is not afraid to engage in discussions that need to be had, conversations that will advance humans forward into greater insights.
The next cut on the album is “Be a Man”, an upbeat track with an equally as energetic beat. The synth-driven production continues to navigate through the world of confusion of living between two worlds. Using a series of furiously laid bars, King Solomon attempts to reveal answers to the questions of why. Why encompasses the stereotypes and generalizations linked to the idea of what it means to be a man.
One thing that is fascinating on not only “Be a Man” but the entire album thus far, is how King Solomon ventures into a places that are likely in heart of individuals of all walks of life. On the track, he lists one by one the expectations of the of the world. Fans will experiences the frustrations of simply trying to exist in a world where people are telling you what you should and shouldn’t be in one way or another. “Be a Man” is a song that will resonate with anyone who encounters it as it provides an authentic view into the struggle of just living out each day.
“Focus” emerges on the album behind “Be a Man”. The track delivers soulful melodies with jazz-infused instrumentals. King Solomon continues chronicling worldly nuances that have led to the decline and various imbalances on a society level. The artist makes it known that he is here to evoke change if not have a direct hand in it. Where there is no hope, King Solomon is here to change that.
While there may be times when believers have a narrow focus, King Solomon finds through his song that party of the journey is to give attention to issues that are affecting the world beyond the bible. He says abruptly, “I am chasing kingdom glory, that doesn’t mean that I can’t be focused”. This is a valid point to consider when thinking about one’s personal journey and its impact beyond self.
The next song on the album is “Lullaby” (feat. Anjee). “Lullaby” is a distinctly melodic track with subtly orchestrated instrumentals. The title of this song is ironic as it conveys a childlike ambiance however the content delivered on the song is far more mature in terms of coming to a greater level of understanding.
“Lullaby” is the type of song that provides comfort and reassurance that “it will be alright” as Anjee sings. Every once in awhile, even those individuals who walk by the word need to be reminded that they are free to experience human emotion. Often times we are led to believe that a life based on faith means a separation from all worldly concepts, including love, but with this piece we are reminded that this is not the case. King also sheds some light on the type of artist he will be moving forward, not limiting himself to what is stereotypically expected of a ‘gospel’ rapper.
King Solomon invokes the name of the Lord on “Oluwa Provide”. “Oluwa” references a Yoruba term that is also used for “God”. On the track, which consists of tropical melodies and a warm beat, King Solomon asks “Oluwa” to light his path. King Solomon shares that he is a little apprehensive about taking the journey and isn’t quite sure what to expect.
Sometimes the road to redemption feels lonely however, knowing you can count on the Lord to guide you along your journey brings comfort. The artist shows audiences that it is okay to ask for help along the journey. The Almighty is there to illuminate the road ahead but the believer must continue to walk. Before the end of the song, King Solomon finds resolve and confidence in the Lord’s ability to be a light along the path.
The textured tropical vibes continue on “Everybody Cries” (feat. ërin Hebrews). “Everybody Cries” is a lighthearted production with gentle melodies and a captivating dance beat. The lyrical content on the track is inspirational, telling audiences that it’s okay to cry if you want to. Fans will find this song to be ironic as King Solomon makes references to familiar elements in a world where we are taught to hold our emotions inside.
Through, “Everybody Cries” opens up a whole new world of enlightenment while challenging the status quo of societies and cultures far and wide. King Solomon is not afraid to go there and makes it very much known that everybody cries, figuratively and literally. The song is a powerful showcase of King Solomon’s innate ability to be original.
Ironically, “Sinking” (feat. ërin Hebrews) expresses the challenges of walking a different path than the majority and what becomes of it. “Sinking” is a song that expresses feelings of abandonment and vulnerability. King Solomon’s performance along with ërin Hebrews is fraught with angst and frustration which are conveyed through the artists’ voices but still, within the song is a measure of hope.
Fans will also relate to this song especially if they are struggling with faith in a realm where it may not always be considered a popular choice. You can literally feel that you are being pulled in different directions and desperate for relief. “Sinking” is a song that will make you feel uncomfortable but hopeful.
The realization that faith can be exhausting is expressed on “Tired (Small Voice) [feat. Moyege]. By this song on the album, King Solomon has shared with listeners an epic battle against the norm while fighting hard to uphold the power of the blood. You can imagine what it is like to traverse over a shaky terrain where you are just one of a few, a minority an individual who has turned in a different direction from the crowd.
Consider, the excursion that sometimes meets resistance, often leaves you in a desolate space and sometimes brings danger but still in your heart, you must continue to persevere. You continue pushing through because you know that on the other end of the journey is something far more glorious than words can describe. The aforementioned is the experience that King Solomon shares on “Tired”. For anyone who feels like giving up and turning away from the path, King Solomon offers more powerful words of encouragement.
The weary mood on “Tired” finds rejuvenation on the track “Rise (feat. Anjee)”. “Rise” is another stirring track which metaphorically lifts believers up after peril. One can expect that walking by faith is no easy trek. A faithful follower can anticipate being beaten and bruised mentally and sometimes physically but even if you are at lowest as King Solomon and Anjee tell us, “you can rise”. “Rise” is an intoxicating track provides encouragement, cheering believers on like that little voice inside that tells you to keep pushing.
As ‘Illuminate the Dark” starts to wind down the track, “Hallowed Be Thy Name” (feat. Bethia Morris & Joshua Kilonda) takes on an optimistic tone. King Solomon is not afraid to let it be known that there was a time when his faith did fall by the wayside, however as part of the experience he was able to rediscover joy and enlightenment. The experience of rolling away darkness and bringing in the light is a very personal story, one that will inspire hope and redemption, something that souls may be in desperate need of.
“Hallowed Be Thy Name” is a very musical production that is scored by festive pianos, progressive percussion and electric guitars and synths. The song delivers a strong feeling of resolve while performing as an inspirational piece. “Hallowed Be Thy Name” casts a gorgeous light upon the name of God and all that believers are able to bear witness to.
‘Illuminate the Dark’ concludes with the acoustic stylings of “A Love Song”. At this point on the album, fans meet with a brand new King Solomon who summarizes the adventures involved in coming to eventually know Christ and everlasting love. While King Solomon is sure to mention that there aren’t enough words to express exactly how deep his love runs, he gets his point across.
“A Love Song” conveys as the end of one journey and the start of another which will lead to the ultimate destination. King Solomon places his heart on this track in which listeners will again be able to feel the emotions poured into every lyric and measure played. King Solomon speaks to fans from a very reflective point of view and the message can easily be digested over the easy tone of the performance.
‘Illuminate the Dark’, a powerful album by King Solomon could not have been released at a better time. When humanity as a whole has seemingly reached new and unsettling crossroads, it is comforting to know that there are artists using their platforms to make a difference. Whether it is to lead people to faith or to offer stories of hope, music is a powerful tool and the voices behind the music even stronger.
King Solomon has presented fans with a rare, adventurous and sometimes tumultuous journey into the arms of the Father. His performance on ‘Illuminate the Dark’ offers a striking amount of authenticity as fans will be able to connect with the emotion in his voice on every single album track. From playful melodies to soulful musings, the album delivers a myriad of vibrations that are moving and spirit-filled.
King Solomon’s lyrical content on ‘Illuminate the Dark’ is raw and full of truth. He showcases a reflective body of work that speaks to a number of themes relating to religion and what it means to walk by faith. Fans are confronted with the cliche “good, bad and the ugly” parts of the journey which may mean something different for every listener. Still, King Solomon engages in relevant conversations over intense rhythms and emotional overtures. He exemplifies courage in the face of adversity and celebrates individuality while acknowledging the role one faithful individual in a global community.
‘Illuminate the Dark’ is drawn from a fascinating perspective. The album engages listeners while also entertaining them with modern-sounding music. King Solomon is a lyrical force who exudes confidence on the revealing project. King Solomon communicates feeling through his cadences at times allowing listeners into a very intimate spaces. ‘Illuminate the Dark’ is intricate by design but the messages are anything but. While there are not enough words to truly describe the power of this album, but we will leave you with the thought that fans can expect the entire project to be life changing.
King Solomon is a hip-hop artist and musician who inspires people through music. While his sound as an artist has been likened to performers such as Chance the Rapper, Tauren Wells, Lecrae, NF and Travis Greene, he has a style that is all his own. The UK-based artist delivers a fusion of hip-hop music blended with emotive melodies and warm harmonies.
In a recent interview with Twist Online, King Solomon shares that he started playing music at the age of 11 and released his first single at age 15 titled “Hands Up” but that he only recently has forayed into music as a career. The artist who is just 20 years old released ‘Illuminate the Dark’ which is his debut album as an indie artist.
King Solomon doesn’t just make any music, he makes music with a message. He seeks to inspire people, encouraging them to reach greater heights. The young artist who is currently a student has received a positive response to the album’s release though it is an independent project. ‘Illuminate the Dark’ which the artist shares, “follows the journey of a wayward Christian attempting to make his way home, and rekindle his relationship with God” is currently available on all of the popular streaming music sites. Learn more about King Solomon by following the links below.
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