genny! An Artist Unbound By Medium
Get Familiar
genny! is an astonishingly versatile 26-year-old artist, model, and skater born and raised in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn who’s on the cusp of breaking his way through the underground. Sonically, Genny pushes boundaries beyond comprehension with his captivating sound palette and emotional vulnerability, which he uses to meticulously paint each track off of his debut solo project, 8 Songs, which was released this past July. Genny is unapologetically himself with his creative expression and has this rare ability to create an enveloping atmosphere within his songs like few artists can. Although his solo discography may be brief in length–for the time being–it’s dense with substance and tasteful influence, making him more than worth following.
First Step
Genny’s prominence within the New York City scene is not just limited to music, as his early beginnings are rooted in skate culture. Genny notably worked and modeled for legendary brands like Supreme–and now Homer (Frank Ocean’s jewelry brand if you’re unfamiliar). Additionally, Genny’s validity in skate culture allowed him and his close collaborator, Conor Prunty, to try their hand with their clothing brand, Humble, successfully. The pair trekked an exciting journey with their brand all through trial and error–an authentic principle Genny emphasizes throughout his creative expression from one medium to another. The two ultimately halted their brand to pursue other creative ventures–specifically by ways of music for Genny.
Finding His Voice
Genny’s next step was by way of NYC’s underground band, blair. The band made a lot of noise because of their authentic sound that spoke to a new market of music fans who were looking for a vulnerable and relatable brand of music, which the group delivered so well. Genny was a vocalist and guitarist for the group leading the anxious and tense sonics with his own unique expression. Throughout its lifespan, the band toed a thin line between New York’s punk and rap scenes, which really encapsulates the reality of the state of music today. Now rising artists like blair have the freedom to explore untouched soundscapes and refuse record labels’ systematic agendas of quantizing smaller artists’ sound in an effort to be labeled and put into an inauthentic box to market. In interviews, Genny expresses his desire to create music from the ground up, unrestricted by pandering or formulaic instrumentals and boundaries. Another undeniable characteristic of Genny and blair is their unparalleled transparency within their lyrics. Genny makes a point to address and push past the stereotypes that plagued his upbringing, whether it’s confronting modern masculinity’s toxicity or the stigma that still surrounds mental health. Genny puts it all on the line in his songs. His endless vulnerability doesn’t just help and inspire his fans though. Genny cites his willingness to speak on things others won’t go near due to the cathartic feeling it gives him, and I think we can all learn something from this assertion of his.
Moving Forward—Toe On The Gas
Recently Genny has pivoted towards a solo career, notably dropping his brief but eclectic project, 8 Songs. Even when making the transition towards his own sound, he never lost his ethos of emotional vulnerability that he’s carried throughout his creative output over the years. Genny recorded, mixed, and mastered every track–just in case you were still unconvinced that he can do it all. The project opens with REGAL, a track that wraps you up within a world of its own, surrounded by reversed synths that are brought to a climax only to fade into a peaceful ending, leaving the audience in a loss, as they anticipate what they’re going to hear next. The transition to the next track, toeonthegas, is patient as Genny discovers his voice in finding solace in walking his own path through life, refusing to conform to society’s conventional expectations. Now upon my first listen of MILAH’S POEM, I was completely blindsided by the track–well, poem rather. It’s written and performed entirely by the talented Milah Libin, whose extensive creative output is worth a novel on its own. Milah’s composed and honest voice rises above the steady organs, reminding us not to take the simple beauties of life for granted as the track cascades back towards Genny. He continues this momentum with his track, ZOINKS! Which slaps you across the face with a fast-paced sampled instrumental. The track is a real highlight of the project for me, and candidly was my second most listened-to song of last year–somehow climbing its way above Earl Sweatshirt’s discography that buries the rest of my list. During his interview with Angel & Z Radio, Genny explains that he experiences this existential feeling that he hasn’t done enough by himself. He further elaborates that putting out this project as a solo act means a lot to him and will finally allow him to acknowledge himself as an artist. This feeling is almost palpable while listening, and I sincerely hope that Genny has found validation beyond the positive reviews his project has garnered these past few months.
Front & Center
I had the rare pleasure of being able to see Genny perform live this past September at the intimate NUBLU Jazz Club nestled within East Village, where he opened for close collaborator 454. I have been to countless shows in my life, and Genny’s was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Genny walked up to the stage alone equipped with a mic, his bass, a keyboard, and an AKAI drum machine. He was soft-spoken and short with his self-introduction, eager to pick up the bass and play. However, his stage presence did an almost entire 180, immediately juxtaposing his previous shy demeanor as the music began. Being right in the middle of the audience, it was clear to see that he had endeared himself to the intimate crowd as he shifted from one instrument to the next without fail. It was his rendition of his track ZOINKS! in particular that really grabbed the attention of the wide eyed-and open-jawed audience that surrounded me. We all watched in awe as Genny programmed the entire beat by hand in front of us, only to casually walk to the mic and give his best vocal performance yet for the remainder of the track. Additionally, a highlight of the night for me was witnessing Genny and 454 perform their single “thankyou” together. Their stage presence and chemistry together was amazing to witness, and a culminating moment I will never forget. As his set wrapped up and the stage was transitioning to fit Pig The Gemini’s upcoming set, it was clear that Genny had just gained plenty of new fans. If Genny is in your town, I can’t stress making an effort to see him perform live anymore; you will leave his show in awe–I promise.
In All
Although it’s been a while since 8 Songs was released, Genny finally blessed us with a Youtube and Soundcloud exclusive track, Lemonade, that gives us hope to hear more of Genny in the future. As his popularity continues to rise, so does the audience’s hunger and anticipation for new music from him. I have been so thrilled to see Genny gain more and more much-earned traction and respect, and I sincerely can’t wait to see where Genny pushes the culture next. Thank you for the creativity and vulnerability you gift the world; what you’re doing is important, Genny!
Sincerely,
A genuine perspective
