• Artist: Kahlee
• Track: Shining Star
• Feat. Uptown Swuite, Blame One
• Producer: Adikt 1
• Album: Here I Am EP

Late last month, West Coast mic-murderer Kahlee lit the fuse on his imminent industry takeover by unleashing the lead single off his forthcoming, DJBooth-hosted solo EP. While that reader-approved cut seemed to indicate that the project would have a grittier vibe than his work as one-half of The Seed, the dreamy Shining Star (another world premiere) points to a more eclectic aural palette. After a false start and a sampled line from ODB's Hippa to Da Hoppa, Adikt 1's beat settles into a tuneful, keyboard-driven groove. Kahlee matches the instrumental's plaintive, yet gritty vibe on the lyrical tip, offering a tightly-wound take on his current struggles as well as his high hopes for the future. The Seed partner-in-rhyme Uptown Swuite and Golden State buzzmaker Blame One deliver similarly upbeat, yet hard-hitting guest verses. Feeling it? Then be sure to cop Watch Me next Tuesday, September 10, when it hits the Booth for free digital download.