The goal for veteran emcees is to challenge themselves, this remains true for producer Quelle Chris. The Detroit-native has accumulated over 15 albums in his extensive career. His abstract material has brought him a cult-like following as well as the respect of many Hip-Hop fanatics. With the release of his seventh studio album, Deathfame (via Mellow Music Group), Quelle hones in on that respect, duality in life, and more existential thoughts all wrapped in a grimey surreal production.
This album is a step away from his previous work 2020’s Innocent Country 2, 2019’s Guns, and 2012’s Bones for Girls as Deathfame contains less humorous concepts instead a bittersweet tone fills the air. For instance, the single “Alive Ain’t Always Living,” produced by Quelle and Chris Keys contains a slow melodic rap that emotes a reminiscent feeling. This feeling is presented with a grainy soul piano loop and conversational lyricism mimicking an exchange between an older man speaking to a child. In the chorus he repeats, “I’m grateful, grateful just to be alive / but alive ain’t always living, sometimes n****s just survive.” On the surface, this sounds morbid thanks in part to the gloomy doddering beat, however, Quelle’s focus on gratitude for the small pleasures in life and career, even with the ups and downs, creates an interesting contrast.
Though ‘death fame’ is the overarching theme of this album, Quelle takes the time to slip in satirical braggadocious lyrics across the project. This boastful wordplay comes in during tracks “King in Black” and “Feed the Heads”. In the chorus of “Feed the Heads” Quelle repeats, “’cause if I don’t do it, who can? (I don’t know) / and if I’m not the greatest, then who am (I don’t know) / all these suckers plantin’ seeds from a sucker MC.” The entire time Quelle attempts to humble the other rappers while pointing out his value to the rap game, “cause if I don’t do it, who can?” This call and response method adds to this, pointing out the significance of skill while questioning other rappers abilities.
“So Tired You Can’t Stop Dreaming” featuring New York native rapper Navy Blue is another highlight of this album built upon a scattered piano melody and crashing cymbals that shower over you. What truly sticks out is Quelle’s chant of “if heavens got a ghetto hell gotta resort”. In an interview with Eddie Fu of Consequence, when speaking on that phrase Quelle seems to hint that this is just one of many ways of expressing the acceptance of that reality. In the living world, accepting the existential struggle to balance success, pain, and joy may very well continue well into the afterlife or in his words, “f***, no one really knows.”
The ethical and moral decision of posthumous albums has been heavily debated following the tragic deaths of Mac Miller, XXXtentacion, and Nipsey Hustle. As the wave of admiration fans show to the deceased following their passing, labels look to milk the artists’ fanbase for every possible penny. Quelle tackles this as he jots down clever metaphors over ice cream truck-like chimes on the title track and several more times throughout “DEATHFAME“. An example of this is when he raps, “amen, run this up like I’m dead, love me like you miss me / post a pic, tell n****s you met me / greedy wrist, posthumous spit / let these corporations sink their fangs in my legacy’s neck before I did death fame.” Then later in a more brutal tone, “you could keep your flowers, I can’t eat your flowers…fuck gettin’ rich and dying trying, give me death fame.” These lyrics mock the late fame many artists receive from their death. Although Quelle Chris is well renowned in the underground, he has grown tired of the lack of respect from the industry and money he has received over his long career. Quelle Chris demands what is owed while he is living as he growls, “I can’t eat your flowers.”
Carrying morbid energy with its grainy and distorted production coupled with the gravelly sound of Quelle’s voice, Deathfame remains true to its titling. Though at times the project strays away from its core concept, many of the album’s strongest songs touch on demise of some sort quite beautifully. The writing on this album shows just how much has been pervading his mind. Special elements of this album include the few, but carefully handpicked features from artists like Pink Siifu, J Jig Cicero, and Knxwledge. In addition, the unorthodox production and the sample choices are some of Quelle’s best. Lastly, Quelle and company’s message is full of wisdom; good for one’s soul. Quelle Chris continues to set the bar for the genre and Deathfame is no exception, certainly a project to remember.
Quelle Chris’ new album Deathfame is available where all music is streamed including Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal or for purchase on Bandcamp. Quelle Chris will be hitting the road this summer for the Death Tour with special guests Cavalier, black midi, and more. To grab tickets to the tour click HERE.
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