Feez Da Popstar isn’t a shooting star. His continued musical output is something more. It’s the sustained flash of a seemingly inexhaustible talent gaining momentum with each new release. The alter-ego of New York City DJ Jay Faire, Feez Da Popstar’s gifts as a producer, performer, and songwriter are growing more evident with each new release. He has a string of successful singles already to his credit and a CV built, in part, on collaborations with varied A-list talents such as Lil’ Wayne, New Boyz, and Chris Brown.
His new single “MTF (More Than Friends)” further perpetuates his inexorable rise. Feez deftly blends contemporary beats, creative genre-bending segues, and an authoritative delivery into one of the rap world’s most enticing packages today. Feez’s new singles marries an inventive blend of physically involving hip hop with R&B/soul overtones that never strike a discordant note. His production acumen further serves the track well by seamlessly fusing these stylistic elements into an unified, and sonically pleasing whole.
It is a brief track. “MTF (More Than Friends)” barely breaks the two-minute mark. It is a testament to Feez’s artistic capability that he’s able to pack such diverse sounds into a small frame, and the song’s structure never stumbles. He shows great craftsmanship opening and closing the cut with similar playful themes and never upsets the song’s balancing transitioning from one stylistic foot to the next.
His vocal presence is crucial for the song’s success. He dispatches the lyrics with swaggering authority, never abrasive, and demanding the listener’s attention. The accompanying vocal touches are complementary. They move between upbeat affectations, never gratuitous, and soulful intonations that add deeper layers to the recording. It is a studio concoction, without question, but retains a natural feel that should translate well into live performances.
It is an ideal single for listening at home, in the listener’s car, or in a club setting. The creative use of percussion throughout the song establishes a constant physical connection with listeners and never succumbs to cliché. Feez is wise to temper the sound in such a way. “MTF (More Than Friends)” achieves a surprisingly intimate quality that would be overturned by overwrought rhythms or pulverizing beats.
Subtlety is a hallmark of Feez Da Popstar’s talents. “MTF (More Than Friends)” underlines that while expanding on his past releases. His growing confidence as a performer is audible throughout this track’s two-minute running time without ever risking stridency. He has abundant style. However, it doesn’t come at the expense of substance.
The list of DJs who crossover into the performing realm and exhibit meaningful staying power is short. Feez Da Popstar deserves a place on that list. His singles are so far ample proof that he’s made that transition with breathtaking ease, and you can’t help but think that he knew this is where he wanted to be from the beginning. He has arrived, without question, and “MTF (More Than Friends)” further solidifies his standing as one of the most impressive rap talents working today.
Claire Uebelacker