Hailing from St. Louis, MO, Kalm Before the Storm is an indie rap artist known for his philosophical lyrics that address everything under the sun from black nationalism, military life, mental disorders to street stories. He began writing songs at age 12, while dividing his time between his hometown and the military base in Germany where his Air Force veteran father was stationed at.
During college, he started experimenting with programs like AudioSauna, Audacity and FL Studio, while also incorporating unique samples from R&B soul to Anime. Drawing inspiration from artists like Nas, Guru/Gang Starr, Pharoahe Monch, Lupe Fiasco, and Common, KBTS is a driven artist, spinning beats and spitting out lyrics like a natural, whether on the stage or in his home studio. It is like a second nature to him.
On his latest release, “Soul Searchin,” the hypnotic rhythms and beats come together full force. KBTS weaves in his lyrics with ease. His sure-fire execution is like a cyclone, taking audience members for the ride of their lives.
Lyrically, his rhymes are contemplative, describing a protagonist see-sawing between thoughts about the past and future. Subjects like death and taxes seem to plague him as he “verbalizes his demons.” On this track, he tries to find his own “peace of mind,” as he does some “soul searchin’”.
Musically, the beats felt very old-school. It reminded me of the electronic beats and synths from the ‘90s or 00’s. I think it fits his rap style very well. KBTS takes what he has and is able to go 150 miles per minute. The results are definitely awe-inspiring. With lyrics that draw from his own experiences, KBTS empowers you with his rhymes. His lyrics ooze with the fighting spirit. And if that isn’t enough, the rhythms and beats are also top-notch.
SCORE/Excellent: Here, Kalm Before the Storm does some “deep-diving.” His thoughtful lyrics show his introspective side as he throws out rhymes with lyrical ease. I was amazed by the speed and dexterity of his rapping abilities. With lyrics that will leave you thinking until the very last note, KBTS’s music touches upon relevant issues without sounding preachy. You’ll find it is the perfect balance.
[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]
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