A flight to Vietnam may cost a few hundred dollars, but Spence Lee can take you there for free with his new single and video, “Foundation.” The dark, menacing production Eardrummers, MaxFlames and Lucian paired with the savvy flows of the New Jersey native serve as the backdrop for the Jason Ano-directed visual filled with motorcycles, Saigon nightlife and fire-breathing performers.
“Big karats on my fist, no Bugs Bunny/I’m a big dripper, shine like the big dipper/Balmain jeans on it got three zippers/Baddie dancing in the crib with Chinese slippers,” he raps.
At the surface, “Foundation” may feel like a catchy, braggadocious lyrical exercise with fun production, but it doubles as an insight into Spence Lee’s upbringing. The single’s artwork features an angel-like figure, representing his grandmothers who recently passed away, hovering above an illustration of him as a child. The single’s ties to his upbringing deepen as the Ano-directed visual takes Lee and the viewer through Vietnamese nightlife in Saigon as locals proudly represent their culture.
“God and my family is my foundation, I don’t make any moves out of desperation,” Lee raps.
Spence Lee’s “Foundation” brings listeners closer to him as they begin to learn more about his identity, upbringing and voice. As he puts it, it’s not just a song, it’s a statement. Hear everything he has to say and show below.
