The Key Studio Sessions: Voss

Philly rapper Voss has been rocking a pretty funny hashtag of late: #notthewater. While it’s handy as far as name recognition that he’s got a popular aqueous doppelgänger — no sponsorship to speak of yet, though — he’d be making waves even if his last name and stage name were, like, Smith.

Which is to say: Voss is a confident and cunning MC who raps over a choice selection of beats from producers Rob Devious, Ron Swerdon, Architekt & Fearmongerz. Earlier this year, he dropped his debut album Insatiable, and its tone ranges from menacing club bangers matched with bold lyrical swagger (“CSN”) to soulful slow jams (“Respect My Mind”) and pop euphoria (“Oasis,” a flip of the brit rock icons’ “Champagne Supernova”).

His focus as an MC is bold declarations of personal ambition as well as intellectual and spiritual reflections — the closing song he performed during his Key Studio Session, “Found,” pairs him up with vocalist the means on the hook for a study of faith and religion, dissecting its role in modern life.

Speaking of guest spots, he offers a lot of them on this set, from Alexander Charles (formerly of Ground Up) on the cocky and ambitious “Average” to sleek crooner Milton talking about finding a partner with depth on the aforementioned “Respect My Mind.” All this is with the tight backing duo of James “Jer-Z” Mason on drums and DJ Jim Redz.

Get your copy of Insatiable over at iTunes and catch Voss in the flesh at his upcoming Philly gig with Alexander Charles — October 14th at Bourbon and Branch. Tickets and information on the show can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar. Below, listen to this week’s Key Studio Session with Voss in full, cop a free download at Soundcloud and watch video of the entire thing, care of videographer Alex Nguyen.