Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by Gabriel Teodros, host of Early on KEXP, is "MA EMILY (feat. Rapsody)" by C.S. Armstrong, from the 2022 self-released album THE MAKINGS OF ME.
During the three years of lockdown, Houston, Texas-based artist C.S. Armstrong didn't release any original music. But the period gave him time to reflect. "The pandemic allowed me to sit with myself" he continues. "God told me to began producing, with not much knowledge I started to learn how to produce. I used God and my ears, I followed both until I reached this project that I’m so happy to finally give you."
THE MAKINGS OF ME was produced by Armstrong with additional production by Miles James. The eight-song EP ranges from hip-hop to blues and gospel. As Armstrong calls it, it's a "journey through the things that made me who I am today."
Today's Song of the Day is one of the most personal songs on the new release, inspired by his great-great-grandmother, Ma Emily. (In fact, the album cover photo was taken at her home.) Armstrong talked to our own DJ Gabriel Teodros about the song's origins:
The song came about through a conversation with my mom actually. I was just asking about like the history of my family and she talked about Ma Emily and that was her great grandmother. She was just telling me her experiences with her and I took that conversation and really, I wanted to dive into, you know, generational curses that we all trying to break. And it came out literally — I didn't write anything — everything really just came out natural. So, for you to be highlighting such a personal song, it truly means a lot to me.
Also I sent it to [guest vocalist] Rapsody and I've been working with Rapsody since about 2012, and you know, she's always been supportive. When she sent her verse back, I literally, you know, fell to tears, man, because it's amazing to not have to explain too much to people. We did that through text, you know, I texted to her. We weren't in the same room. I sent it to her and she sent it back in a matter of days and it gave me chills, man. So, shout out the Rapsody for delivering such a phenomenal verse. I think one of my favorite verses of last year.
