6LACK released his third studio album on March 24, 2023. It has been five years since this R&B and rap artist dropped an album. Ricardo Valdez Valentine Jr., more commonly known as 6LACK, grew up in Altana’s Zone 6. The number six has had a lot of influence not only on his music, but on himself as well. 6LACK, pronounced “black,” discusses settling down in his latest album, Since I Have A Lover. As the Atlanta-based artist explores a new relationship, it seems that there is exploration within the possibilities of music.
6LACK is an artist that I’m just becoming familiar with. What draws me into his discography is the production and his silky vocals. While perfectly genre-blending R&B and rap, I cannot think of anyone who sounds like 6LACK. With tracks such as “wunna dem” (with QUIN) and “Since I Have A Lover,” one can truly see the range 6LACK’s music can offer, while other songs such as “preach” and “Inwood Hill Park” highlight his lyricism. His voice captivates the listener and draws you in as he sings about his ideas of romance. While listening, I noticed a pattern between the tracks. It seems as if there are two distinctive sounds for this album. When a song is upbeat, his voice floats through the air. There is room for his voice to fill up the track. Yet, when the music is leaning more towards a ballad, his voice softens into a whisper. It’s as if he is telling you a secret that is just between the listener and himself.
Truthfully, 19 tracks are a lot to comprehend and formulate an opinion on. Not to mention, 6LACK’s music deals with dark themes. Throughout the album, 6LACK recalls traumatic events and gives the listener insight into his dark ideas surrounding love. Though this album is lighter than his previous two, one can not ignore the vulnerability and transparency within each track. While listening to this album, I revisited some popular tracks from his older albums. Many aspects of this album are similar to his older work. However, 6LACK isn’t confined to the past, allowing for experimentation and freedom within his music. 6LACK is trying to cater to his old fans while exploring his options in the world of music. There isn’t a bad track on the album. 6LACK’s unique voice and perspective on love gives the listener much to take in. I feel that this album will continue to grow as I listen to it. I am excited to continue to listen to each track and try to understand 6LACK’s perspective. Since I Have A Lover is available on streaming platforms.