For years, the Bay Area has been known for its impact on Rap. From E-40 to LaRussell, the region has influenced the way in which people talk, the sound that many artists have adopted and even inspired other artists to be more independent in their business endeavors. Unfortunately, the region’s impact on R&B is often overlooked. Behind-the-scenes figures like J. Valentine and front-facing artists like Keyshia Cole and Kehlani have continued to propel the genre to new heights. Ten years after breaking on the national scene with “2 AM” featuring Sage The Gemini, Marcel is ready to add another project to a great year for the Bay Area and continue the latest chapter of his career.
On Friday, July 12, Adrian Marcel delivered his latest body of work, RNBAY SZN. With contributions from E-40, CRSB, Jane Handcock, DJ Drama and others, the six-track project exudes the playful swagger and remarkable authenticity of a Bay Area artist while delivering the emotion and essence of R&B greats. Together, each of these unique aspects of Marcel’s artistry come together to create an R&B project that bounces around your earbuds and speakers with joy or Hyphy Soul for short.
“The last full project I released was 98th in 2019,” he said about his latest project.
“From then [until] now, [I have evolved in way that] I couldn’t have expected. [I have built] an unwavering confidence in this independent game and [linked up with] my brodie, [Sonny B], in 2021 to curate a completely new vision for not only ourselves, but for the Bay Area. [This] has been a transcend[ent]experience. Literally, [I am] watching everything we spoke and planned [for] manifest right before [my] eyes!”
