Analyzing 'Game Boy'
Featuring video games and hard work: Game Boy. Dylan Hall’s newest ep.
Dylan Hall's debut album is still in the works, but his latest EP Game Boy (a Soundcloud exclusive) is an amazing introduction to this talented artist. Inspired by video games and featuring and produced by some of South Florida's gems, this project is a whole experience.
NOTE: In this article, I will be explaining Dylan's creative process and quoting him, while expressing my point of view and opinion (as he asked me to) in the first person. -Lunes
“Video games used to be an escape for me before writing my first poem or song. whenever I was stressed or wanted a break, I would play games!”
“Each sample is a game I know and loved, and even some the listener will know. It made the beat selection even more personal and picky.”
After coming up with the idea, Dylan talked to his producers MadmanSmokee, Slim Steelo and Kamikaze to make it happen. He is extremely grateful for them. “Without a producer, an idea can be built upon or demolished very quickly. I have to thank them for being open and working really hard cause some of the samples were hard to flip and stressful to make.”
“A creative mind is always creating!“
The process behind Game Boy began in January 2019. After several months of selecting beats while working on music and releasing singles, Game Boy started being his main focus on June. By October everything was written and recorded, and mixed by Kreig Bandason. Between SlimXFresh’s mastering and Chandra’s cover art in the works in December, the release date got postponed to May 1st, which gave room for the game giveaway with Mvngo and teasers, to promote and create anticipation.
TRACKLIST
Intro (ft. ILikeBloo) Prod. by Slim Steelo
“Most of the tracks don’t have a deep meaning. It was getting into the headspace of when I played the games. I even played the games and beat them again before making each track!”
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Back in the Mix (Prod. by Slim Steelo)
This is the song that introduced me to Dylan Hall. I listened to Back in the Mix and Forbidden Fruit (ft. Saulomon Grundy) live on their performance at Artpalooza back in September 2019 and since then, I was hooked. There were less than 15 people and everyone was hyped up cause they were! If you get the chance to go to one of his performances after quarantine, do it. You won’t regret it.
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Wilson Fisk (Prod. by Slim Steelo)
This song is inspired by the Marvel supervillain created by Stan Lee, Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin.
“Imma keep it all a hundred, if it ain’t about the money then it’s not up for discussion.”
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The Last (Interlude) Prod. by MadmanSmokee & kamikaze
“I drop the first project and they’re like, ‘what’s after that?’. Everything in the scope just watch the aftermath.”
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Stan Lee (Prod. by Kamikaze)
“Stan Lee was a hero to me. It was only right while sampling something of his creating I pay tribute.”
“my life is like a comic call me stan lee”
Stan Lee created alternate universes for people to escape their routine life and have something to believe in. He taught that there’s a hero in all of us.
“I hope my music does that for people one day in some type of way. Rest In Peace.”
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Jimmy Hopkins (Ft. Unordinaryizz) Prod. by MadmanSmokee
“In my head I’m the king of school or game, or working to become it. The big bully of the school. So the cocky exterior comes out and takes you on a tour!”
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State of Emergency (Ft. Anonymuz) Prod. by Grillabeats)
This song tells Dylan Hall’s journey with music. His thoughts and struggles unapologetically, unfiltered, raw and uncut. Anonymuz adds part of what he’s been through himself, and where he is in the industry. They wrote most of the song together, which makes this his favorite on the project.
Most Dylan Hall songs are to hype and have fun to. State of Emergency keeps the vibes, but talks about his emotions and ambitions.
”I feel all the weight, I feel all the pain, I feel all the tears on my shoulders.”
Although most people might not want to hear about emotions and realness, Dylan Hall has made a promise to himself to always include a song in his projects where he can be deep and real, “just for me and my sanity.”
“Nobody love you til you’re gone and they all sing along that this shit is fucking wack dawg.” -Anonymuz
“Roll something up or just mediate and sit back and dive in. If you listen, thank you; if you don’t, you missed out.”
“I make music I love and I hope you love it too, cause I’m going to be here for a while. I’m making every type of sound I bend into, So just be ready for a surprise every time you press play!”
Expect some features later this year, and his debut album in 2021!
“It’s NOTHING like I’ve done before. Straight ear candy and a breath of fresh air!.”
I’ve personally never played video games or watched superhero movies, which makes me feel like I’m missing out on the whole album experience, you know? Like, there’s references and a culture that I just don’t get. However, the songs are phenomenal. From the production, to the lyrics and the performance, you can tell hard work and passion were put into all these tracks individually. The fact that this is not Dylan Hall’s debut album is impressing, and creates sooo much anticipation. If this is just the beginning… How much better can you get!?
