Color Review: "Sacrifices" by EARTHGANG, J. Cole, Smino & Saba
At the break of a Grammy nomination that included several artists, Revenge of the Dreamers is a general testament to collaboration and community in creative industries. Ownership is a slippery slope when it comes to music and media distribution, and this project invited a great bulk of the R&B/Rap industry to have a piece of the steak. Maybe even an award or two to take home. Thinking about artists like Buddy and Yung Baby Tate with solid audiences, but would otherwise be ignored by the academy is worthy of celebration. The reflections of this celebratory recognition are surmised with “Sacrifices”, the closing track to the album.
As a theme, sacrifices represent the journey to success or an ideal place in life, at least in this case. Johnny Venus of EARTHGANG speaks to the plethora of sacrifices people make in general, no matter what it’s for; Smino speaks to sacrifices he made for his career and using that to put people close to him in positions to reach their version of success; Saba speaks to sacrifices people make for money; and J. Cole speaks to sacrifices he and his partner made in their romantic relationship. All takes on the theme of sacrifice apply directly to Coded Ochre. Ochre is a pigment that originates from a mixture of ferric oxide and multiple sand/clay grounds.
As a hue that ranges from yellow to brown, this shade represents all sacrificial grounds, literal and metaphorical. In color therapy brown suppresses emotions and allows for analytical and organizational thought, don’t sacrifices look like that? Disregarding the emotions of the moment for projected emotions in the future, paying success forward without protest. In this case, this shade asserts itself in the middle which is often the place sacrifices are made; caught between two paths, one clear in the physical, the other clear in the spiritual. The even mixture of the yellow and brown tones show not only a balance of emotion and logic, but a victorious understanding of the need and importance of both.
This is a song you listen to after making a big decision, on your commute to work, at the gym during a cool down, really any moment where you are triumphant, during reflection, or periods of deciding between two roads. Even more, a track suitable for personal celebration, when the party is over, your loved ones went home, and you’re left with your thoughts. This will go up for you.
Scenically, this is a track to play on a night drive, or after dramatically climatic moments in life. The leading guitar chords illustrate optimism while the bass progression touch the soul. This track will also work well in sneaker stores, vintage streetwear boutiques, and bookstores.