We previously featured New York’s HZPROD as he shared his art as activism with his powerful and intentionally zeitgeist sophomore single, Dreamer, so when we heard that the visionary, conscious producer was set to release a song called Peace?, featuring The Game andKXNG Crooked, we couldn’t wait to preview it before its official release on May 14, ahead of HZPROD‘s debut album, War Torn!
Accompanied by a dramatic synthscape with cinematic allure, Peace? opens with the poignant question and a series of observations…” What happened to Peace? I feel a hungry war machine is having a feast…”
KXNG Crooked shares lyrical excellence and situational prose about what is taking place in the world right now. He references victims of war with epic metaphors, dead children being filmed on camera, bombing disaster relief, social media activists, and the silence from rappers.
The track switches up with a pulsating beat as The Game shares an atmospheric rap verse detailed with intricate sound design like a heart monitor and whirring cars to bring to life HZPROD‘s universe. The Game raps about real-life struggles in tough communities. He explains how peace has broken down because of neglect and inequality, and connects violence, trauma and division showing us all how instead of living peacefully, many are just trying to survive.
The electric guitar solo that follow is simply transcendental and invites us to reflect on the prose that came before. This leads us through to an astral rising synth and drum break down, resonant like the message of the track itself.
Overall, Peace? is another cinematic masterpiece with intentional depth that shines a light on what our reality is truly like right now. With this powerful track, which HZPROD says is one of the album’s defining numbers (hence the early release), we all have the chance to go inward and do what we can as individuals to manifest peace for ourselves on planet Earth. It is less a call-to-action and more an invocation of peace.
That said, HZPROD tells us, “Peace? does not offer answers, it asks questions. In doing so, it challenges listeners to reconsider the narratives surrounding conflict, community, and responsibility. Through cinematic production, powerful lyricism, and purposeful collaboration, the track stands as one of the most impactful entries in the War Torn series.”
Upon release, we will be adding Peace? to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist. In the meantime, we will continue to stream Dreamer whilst we await the entirety of HZPROD‘s War Torn project.