I Needed You: Grafh & Eric Bellinger

I love it when people always introduce me to new songs and different vibes. One of the vibes I've been exploring lately is the more boom bap soulful sound of rap. Usually, I listen to a lot of hyper rap on my own time, nothing too soulful and meaningful.

Last night, I got introduced to this song,"I Need You” and I was surprised that I've never heard of these artists before, and that I don't really listen to this genre of music too much. You know, it's something I'd like to put on my bucket list for 2024 – to listen to more of this type of lyrical rap mixed with R&B.

The way the song started off with Eric Bellinger was very angelic, calming, and captivating. I was mesmerized by the vocals of this piece; it was truly amazing. What roped me into the song was how Grafh came onto the beat and what he was talking about. He dropped a lot of knowledge, a lot of truths, and it was very relatable. I resonate with the feeling of changing your whole persona or changing your personality, changing your little habits to try to appease somebody, and trying to be with somebody almost to a point where you kind of need them in your life because you don't know yourself without them or those habits you have acquired.

One of the lines that really hit me hard was when Grafh said, “I wasn't afraid of death; I wasn't afraid of dying. More afraid of heartbreak, more afraid to cry.” I think everybody could agree with this because, at the end of the day, no matter how tough someone may act, people are ultimately more afraid of heartbreak and not being loved than dying because what is life without being loved? I appreciate it because it's like a vulnerable topic presented in a subtle way, and it got me to start thinking. I'm a big advocate for any songs that get me to start thinking.

The second verse of Grafh’s was amazing too; it encapsulates that whole feeling of just reminiscing, like reflecting on the past and the insecurities one has gone through, the evolution and progression of one's ego and spirit. All in all, it's just a great song, and I don't think my words are doing it justice, so you definitely just have to take a listen. I think as soon as you listen to it, it's going to be something that goes on your playlist. It's just a very beautiful song that I think will open your mind, open your heart, and put you in this mood of reminiscing and reflection. Check out the song down below!