Tory Lanez Breaks Down His Songs I Told You at HOT 97 Listening Lounge with Nessa
Tory Lanez performs at the Bud Light Factory at Brazos Hall during South by Southwest on Thursday March 17, 2016. Jay Janner/American-Statesman
Buried in the announcement about ACL Festival Late Shows that was released Tuesday was a notice that R&B artist/rapper/onstage acrobat Tory Lanez is set to play a Red Bull Sound Select show at Empire during the festival. Lanez, whos been riding high on the heat of hit singles like LUV and Say It, will be joined at Empire by fellow rapper Mick Jenkins, who just might be the next great Chicago emcee.
The show is on October 8 and its only $3 with an RSVP.
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After releasing more than 10 mixtapes since 2009 and an EP in 2015, Tory Lanez has finally released his debut album, I Told You, Friday. Hailing from Toronto, many see the singer-rapper as someone who is following in the steps of Drake, but as Tory Lanez tells us on I Told You, he worked hard to get to where he is now.
While Lanez, 24,isnt a fan of Drake, its hard to not compare the two, especially on I Told You. Mixing singing and rapping, Lanez even tries his hand atdancehall with Luv. Even though Lanez is able to blendmultiple styles of music including R&B and trap-sounding hip-hop, it seems that Lanez has yet to find his ownstyle. At times on I Told You, Lanez can sound like Future or Fetty Wap while on other songs, such as Question Is, Lanez can be himself. The album is also bogged down by its lengthy tracklist which features 28 tracks (14 songs and 14 skits).
Save for a few standout tracks, Lanezs debut offering is a largely forgettable one but while I Told You isnt Lanezs best effort, the best songs on the album prove the Canadian artist has what it takes to craft another hit.
1. Say It
Tory Lanezs sampling of Brownstones 1994 R&B classic If You Love Me has proven to be a major hit for the singer and easily the best track on Lanezs debut album. From the awesome production to Lanezs sultry vocals, Lanez is at his best when he takes the R&B route.
2. Luv
Tory Lanezs second album single also makes use of a 1990s classic, this time sampling Tanto Metro and Devontes dancehall classic, Everyone Falls In Love. Just like he didwith Say It, when Lanez sticks to singing, he is one of the best artists in R&B.
3. Friends With Benefits
What makes Friends With Benefits stand out from the other songs on I Told You is the excellent production. With its constant pauses, static and screams, Friends With Benefits is reminiscent of The Weeknds The Hills.
4. Question Is
With production by Cardo, Yung Exclusive and Kanye West, Tory Lanez makes use of a smooth beat to give us a view into his life which includes a strained relationship with his family, unborn children and a friend who did him wrong. But the real star of the show in Question Is is singer Briana Cash who delivers an excellent hook.
5. To D.R.E.A.M.
Even though Tory Lanez is better suited as a singer, his rapping is nothing to scoff at. On To D.R.E.A.M., Tory proves that he can hang with many of todays rappers and does his best Fetty Wap impression on what is one the albums best hooks.
6. Flex
Like the songs title suggests, Flex is all about Tory flexing (showing off) on all of his haters and doubters. Mixing singing and rapping, Flex has a chance to be a hit single for Lanez.
Check out the six best songs from Tory Lanez"s new album, I Told You. Pictured: Tory Lanez at the Pandora Discovery Den SXSW on March 18, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Photo: Getty Images/Rachel Murray
