Portland upstart Donte Thomas turns 22 today, and the STRAY frontman dropped off a full-grown new track today in Oceans, which I’m proud to introduce as a We Out Here Magazine Premiere.
Oceans finds Thomas balancing his battle rap roots and pop star dreams in a lyrically nimble ode to the feelings we chase and attribute to the person or place or thing that we fall in love with. Playfully skipping and running on the masterful beat from PDX beatsmith Dupre’, Thomas details his inspiration to please a particular woman… or lifestyle, or perhaps even the literal Pacific Ocean… at times it’s hard to tell, but it doesn’t really matter. Donte explains that he’s chosen a path through which he’s dedicated to succeed, and that’s a feeling we all love to have.
Density of the lyrics aside, Thomas & Dupre’ do an excellent job setting the tone for the single. From the bird chirps, to the tide rolls, the vibe of the track – or The Wave, if you will – is immaculately captured throughout. Wailing synths and an afro-beat core give the song a tropical feel, further adding a sense of chill, contrasting the high-speed wordplay.
One of the most solid songs I’ve heard this year, period. Oceans delivers with Spring vibes and great replay value. If you’re not paying attention to what Donte has been doing, now’s a good time to get on board. Happy birthday, Donte. #OutHere