Hip Hop Habit: Dylan Synclaire

posted in: FeaturesUrban

How many parents these days would prefer their children pursue musical careers over a traditional college education? With the economic crisis still hanging in the balance, the answer to that question today might actually be many, but back in 2000, the answer would have been very few.  Dylan Sly Synclaire‘s father sat him down when he was 18 and laid out an ultimatum that would more or less decide his child’s future: Go to college and receive financial support or pursue a career in music and receive love and wisdom. The choice was an easy one for the ex-marine, though he would argue music made the choice, not him.

The catalog of songs exploiting the Californian metaphor is loaded, but it’s safe to say there will always room for more. Sly’s Malibu doesn’t quite reach the same epic levels of west coast indulgence that Don Henley relates in Hotel California, but it still manufactures the same sonic portrait of paradise Hollywood inhabitants have been telling us about for decades. This autobiographical track recalls the leap of faith Synclaire took coming to California and trying to make it in on the scene as a nobody. Adorable and inspiring all at once, his doubts and modest accomplishments both make appearances in this song over encouraging orchestral sounds, delicate keys harmonies and a quick shuffle beat that ignites the go-getter in all of us. The blatant theme shows itself in the chorus under the guise of Dylan’s crisp tenor vocals: The time has come/ for you to move on/ the road is long/ sometimes you miss who you were/ you’ll be alone/ no one callin’/ try and stay strong/ sometimes you miss who you were. With a vibe as comforting and accessible as this, Synclaire’s road will be a lot shorter than most.

Mercedes Benz continues onto the next cycle of the fame dream. Here, Synclaire is no longer a bumpkin kid from Northwestern suburbia in awe of the big city lights. Instead he’s got tinted windows and designer jeans, and the air conditioning that was broken in the Sebring he drove in Malibu is now too cold. Even though lines like rollin’ round the city like I’m the president and I’m runnin’ the show today/ I’m Matt Lauer may worry some about the ego-inflating path he’s on, don’t fret too hard because the beat is still fantastic. A relentless barrage of bass kicks and effected snare shots partner with syncopated 80s synth riffs in the chorus to provide the perfect environment for Dylan to exhibit his carefree flow and assured vocals.

Judging by the classy automobile in his EP Fresh Rehearsal‘s covert art, the dapper get-up and baby grands featured in some of his photos, and the ambitious lyrics in some of his songs, it appears as though Synclaire came shooting for the stars and plans to leave with nothing less. So far, he’s right on track. Having won the top channel spot for Rap in March, landed Doug Fenske (who’s worked in some way with everyone from Jordan Sparks to Jammie Foxx to Chris Brown) to produce his debut EP, and signed an artist development deal with Al Machera (engineer/ producer for Salt N’ Pepa), it seems as though Sly is already rising fast. Check his material out in the player below, and let us know how you think he’ll fare in Hollywood in the comments!