Brooklyn has a history. Most populous of the five New York City boroughs, the area has generated some of the biggest names in rap and R&B ever to take the mic. Names like Busta Rhymes, Lil Kim, and The Wu-Tang Clan. Others like Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, Bobby Shurmda, The Fat Boys, and of course the giants, Biggie Smalls and Jay-Z.
So, no surprise at all that more talent is coming from BK. This time, in the form of Miles Hardamon. If you’re not familiar with Hardamon, this is your introduction. Take notes.
The Kid From Brooklyn
Quite literally coming off the streets of Brooklyn, young Hardamon’s story is one of taking big shots. Deciding to take his singing and songwriting skills from the street corner to the big times, Hardamon gained noterity for appearing on Tory Lanez’s Quarantine Radio’s “The Wow Challenge”. Hardamon took to the challenge with a rendition of “Dirty Diana” by Michael Jackson, his biggest musical influence. It was a massive success. Lanez freaked out, bouncing out of his chair, and stopped Miles midway through his performance. No issues, though. Lanez just wanted to inform him that Timbaland, present at the challenge, had just said:
“He’s got something!” Â
Defining Mr. Miles Hardamon
To call him just an R&B singer takes away from his skills on the guitar. To say he’s a just soulful, guitar-toting balladeer also doesn’t cut it, since you’re leaving out his distinct ability to make his music bright, poppy, and undeniably groovy. So how do you define his style? Go with his own words: “Rockstar.”
In a recent interview, Hardamon described his style as such, saying that his goal is “to make feel good music that people enjoy. I want them to feel immersed in good vibes.” All the easier to do so, now he’s signed with Compound Entertainment, production company of the legendary Ne-Yo. What can we say? He liked what he saw on “The Wow Challenge”. Which brings us to his biggest accomplishment yet: his first single.
Here with “Gone”
Dreamy, soulful and bright, the lead off single from Hardamon is a sign of things to come. His falsettos, bouncy guitar riffs, and a deep, wavy bass coalesce into something of an oxymoron: a back-pocket groove with an energetic voice leading the way. If a first single is supposed to showcase what you can do, then Hardamon is certainly off on the right foot.
As for the music video itself, it’s an NYC love story. Full of busking, skate parks, sultry eye contact, and a smooth kind of Hardamon flair, it’s worth the watch. Another thing: directing the video is Benny Boom, notable for his work on Empire and NCIS: Los Angeles, along with directing the 2017 Tupac biopic, All Eyez On Me.
If you’re looking for more from Hardamon, you won’t have to wait long. He’s announced his debut album SPECTRUMS, and like the title, it will be a mix of funk, pop, R&B, and more.
Garrett C. Owen