bring it closer to god
Surfing on the devastating waves of Katrina, New Orleans born artist LaVance Warren aka Poo$ie, continues to let his creativity flow like the water. Poo$ie, along with his immediate family, relocated to Oakland when he was 8 years old, starting a new life across the country. It’s honestly a trip because he’s technically an Oakland nigga but he’s retained his southern accent and mannerisms alike. I’ve been around him on three separate occasions and every time I’ve felt this overwhelming presence of what I think we both consider “God”.
Not God in the religious sense, but God as it pertains to the spiritual consciousness that we’re all connected to. I’m not moved by much, but Poo$ie’s artistry and character is something I’ve found inspiration in as of late. His music is the embodiment of self. Self is the source. The source bleeds through him. Poo$ie is Hip Hop. Poo$ie is culture.
Bet on p
To all my fellow prize pickers, you gon’ wanna take the over on Poo$ie every time. With at least one project every year since 2018, he has proven to be a consistent force in the hip hop space. His catalog is where quantity meets quality. Where self meets God. His wordplay matched with his soulful beat selection is the perfect union needed to create a pure sequence of sounds that transcend even music. This shit is art.
To me, Poo$ie sounds like Juvenile rapping over Nas beats with the social awareness of Kendrick Lamar. After talking to him though, he doesn’t want to be confined to the conscious rap box. His words exactly were “Hip Hop is Hip Hop”. And I agree, either you got it or you don’t and he definitely has it. Listening to his music is like watching an award winning documentary or a gangsta ass movie starring him. Poo$ie embraces his versatility, but more than that he embraces the duality of life that balances everything that we are.
Here’s what you’re gonna get from Poo$ie:
Masterful wordplay
Intoxicating cadence
Intricate flows
Introspective lyrics
Soulful beats
New Orleans inspired beats
Boom bap beats
Exemplary social commentary
Witty bars
Passion
Scrap’s Top Picks:
It Ain’t Easy (2018): “Conniving”, “Under The Sun” ft Ugly Marco & Mayhem
Imagine That (2019): “No Ceilings”
Jazzy Nights (2020): “On One” ft Rnbrii, “Lay Up” ft Barshxt E
Bet on Me (2020): “Get It Back”, “Downtown”
Laugh Now Cry Later (2021): “2 Revealing”, “History”
Still Ain’t Easy (2022): “What If Tomorrow Never Come” ft LaRussell & MikeThaGift, “Racks in the Pandemic”
The Kids Are Dead (2023): “Sniffing Gun Smoke” ft MikeThaGift, wantmoreN8, Meezy & Marsh, “Somebody Holla At the Congolese” ft Michael Sneed
Black Substance (2024): “Havin Is the Habit” ft Shantè & 2 Frankz, “Get in the Field” ft absm00th
What if tomorrow never come?
Today is tomorrow depending on your perspective and Poo$ie is today, right now. Very present in the moment. Very aware of his place in the world. Very tapped into the source. By my calculations, all signs lead to protecting this man and his essence. But why aren’t more people talking about him? Why have his contributions to Bay Area culture gone unnoticed? Not enough ass shaking or kill a nigga music?
Poo$ie is a generational talent by anybody’s standards or metrics. Not often are we blessed with an artist of his caliber in close proximity. His art is captivating. His art is genuine. His art motivates me to further my art. This ain’t no sales pitch, this is appreciation. I have a deep, unwavering love and respect for anyone who can compel me enough to pick up my pen and write about them. Lets all take a moment to give Poo$ie his flowers.
What’s next?
Negrowth Debate League battle at Marcus Books in Oakland (11/17)
“My Friends Like To Kill Each Other”, double album (no release date)
“I Don’t Rap For Money”, album (no release date)
Loved this read!!!! Wow. Poo$is has done so much for the community. A true gem who spreads love with every exhale.