Bringing Back the Live Experience of Music Posted May 27, 2021 By JoshuaGalla_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need To Know: Zauntee is a 22-year-old independent rapper from Tampa, Florida. His passion for music began at the young age of 10 progressing forward to the age of 14 when he started to produce his own music. Zauntee’s made a prominent impact on the Christian Hip-Hop (CHH) genre shortly after at the age of 17 when his first single and video debuted “God Taught Me.” To date, the video has nearly 9.5 million views.
Three years after exploding onto the CHH scene, Zauntee released his debut album titled, 3:34. Seven months afterward, three tracks from the debut album and “God Taught Me” received a minor makeover for his latest EP release titled, 3:34: The Warehouse Sessions.
What it Sounds Like: Zauntee’s latest 4-track EP keeps alive some of his hottest tracks from the debut album released in November 2020. Also, “God Taught Me” is still going strong nearly four years after its initial 2017 release. The differences of each track are subtle, electric guitar-driven with more of an echoed delivery you’d hear if a fan at a live show. Besides a few new guitar riffs, bends and slides, the sound remains true to the original offerings. All of the original lyrics remain as well as the core production soundscape.
The EP presents more of the live experience missed from nearly two years of isolation caused by the global pandemic. Each track also received visuals in video form providing fans as close of a concert experience as possible given the circumstances.
Spiritual Highlights: Like most within the CHH genre, Zauntee is unashamed of the gospel and spreading the Good News of Christ. One of the most prominent examples is the track “Glory.” Literally, it’s a worship-infused track with a whirlwind of impressive sounds and an ode to God our Creator. “Trust” dives into Zauntee’s personal trust in God regardless of the circumstance. “Die For You” explains his thankfulness for all God represents in his life and how he’d do nearly anything in return as a form of payment, gratitude.
There is no lack of God’s presence on this EP. It’s smothered and laced in faith, worship, and devotion. It’s a letter of encouragement during the difficult faith walk.
Best Song on the Record: My personal favorite on The Warehouse Sessions would be “Glory.” It’s stuck directly in the middle of the track selection with reason. Besides “God Taught Me,” this track is my favorite track to date from Zauntee. I love the sonic appeal of the track. The added electric guitar components. The throaty, live vocals. The energy of the track. The crossover between the feel of a gospel track and a hip-hop track is incredible.
Final Word: Zauntee’s follow-up EP to his debut album has a different, yet familiar feel. The content remains consistent and unchanged; however, differences are obviously noted throughout the soundscape and overall vibe. It’s a solid snapshot of the full picture of quality music present on the debut. The videos that go with the four tracks are worth watching, especially if you crave the concert venue environment as much as I do.
