AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW OF TWO NEW SONGS “TALK TALK TALK” AND “NEW TATTOO”

by KAITLYN TILLERY
photos by JOULE SEVENTEEN

Stephon LaMar made a name for himself in his home state of North Carolina before deciding to do the same in New York City. Now, he’s taken on Dubai.

Having grown up in the small town of Fayetteville, NC, LaMar was drawn to the stage at age 5, and he took to it immediately. Performing suited him, but his taste was divergent from the norm. LaMar attributes his keen deviation to his older sister, who introduced him to “music that average black kids didn’t listen to.” Influences like Sublime, Marilyn Manson, and Harvey Danger have had an unexpected hand in helping LaMar chisel into his own personal sound. Paired with an “already impressive R&B and hip hop repertoire,” the singer-songwriter is redefining what it sounds like to make a love song.

While he has stopped attempting to put a label on the style of his sound, LaMar says the subject of his music is more often than not: love, romance or the complete lack thereof. That which could not be clearer on his single, “Love On The Internet,” a joyous rebellion over a buoyant beat. Crooning rejection of superficial validation, LaMar sings:

“Your life is likes on Instagram,

Don’t know who you think I am,

I’m not into it,

Love on the internet.”

“I’d recently come out of a relationship [with a girl who] was the type that attached so much value to social media,” LaMar shared of writing the song. “I’m all about communication, and I get that we are [the] daughters and sons of the digital age, but I think it’s okay to go analog every so often.”

“Love On The Internet” was the hit that won LaMar a distribution deal from Sony Music Entertainment Middle East through Aloft Hotels “Project: Aloft Star” in 2017. Since then, he’s been dubbed Best Original Act from Time Out Dubai and has collaborated with other notable artists like Hollaphonic, a British DJ and production duo out of Dubai.

Of the collaboration, LaMar says, “It was completely organic. I met one of the members, Olly, working an event. We talked shop and decided to meet in the studio just to vibe. We ended up cutting a record the first time we sat down together.”

Beyond collaborations, LaMar has ambitiously been working on three separate personal projects, each with their own distinct sound. With two singles being publicly released next month, LaMar is undeniably living up to his reputation as a songwriter of love.

The first of his singles, “Talk Talk Talk,” serves up a sultry avowal of infatuation over a subtly eerie 80’s tech beat. The second, “New Tattoo,” is a nostalgic ode to the pangs of a deep love loss. Dark and full, the record permeates heartbreak with compelling seduction. As for LaMar,

“Life is fucking exciting. I’m finding new joys in new and familiar experiences. Life is beautiful.”

LaMar’s newest singles “Talk Talk Talk” and “New Tattoo” are available now exclusively on PERJUS.com and will be available on all platforms on August 11.

Listen to “Talk Talk Talk” and “New Tattoo” below: