There’s an undeniable influence on Reuben James‘ impressive new track ‘What You Want’.
The flow of Kendrick Lamar looms large in the voice of James, a young Dublin MC whose main claim to fame is that he came first in The Step Inn’s Step’s Got Talent competition and he has songs with Hare Squead’s Jessy Rose and Jafaris (hear below).
James’ would be wise not following Kendrick’s cadence so closely as ‘What You Want’ suggests possibilities beyond imitation. Its accompanying video by Mark David Acoba and vocals by Ghaliah Conroy, help the track leave a bigger impression. If James’ can take that energy and move out of K.dot’s shadow, he’ll be doing well.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
