OCEANVIEW SLIM | @THEEMAMARAZZI EPKS I JUNE 2021
I JUST WANNA RAP Earlier this year Emanuel “Oceanview Slim” Kelly released “I Just Wanna Rap 2.” The mixtape project debuted almost three years after “IJWR.” The artist from Wichita, Kansas wrote the project while temporarily living in Phoenix, Arizona. He says his newest project shows his passion and new outlook on life. Music videos for his project will be released later this year. “I wrote this project in my new space and with new energy,” says Oceanview Slim, crediting the two years that he was away for helping him re-discover himself. “It’s a new me and I’m able to articulate things a lot better through my music this time around.” Kelly took on the stage name “Oceanview Slim” because of his unique perspective on life. Just as the ocean allows you to see the world from a different angle, he too has been blessed with the ability. Since relocating back to Wichita, he has been busy building a foundation to further his artistry.
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“I Just Wanna Rap 2” marks his first release since returning to Wichita, a place he admits to missing because of its “simplicity.”
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The five-track project opens with an Intro that pays homage to Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman. However, it was Killmonger's famous line: “Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships because they knew death was better than bondage,” that resonated the most with Oceanview Slim. “When I was away I saw myself grow as an artist and it felt pretty good,” says Oceanview Slim. “This project is me spiritually jumping from the boat.” Oceanview, who previously recorded music as one-fifth of a hip hop group called Dream Team, is now a solo artist. His IJWR projects have helped to establish him as an independent rapper. “I’ve wanted to show that I can hold my own for a while now,” he said. OCEANVIEW SLIM/ 3 NOMADIC
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Although he was glad to be a part of The Dream Team, he feels it’s important to know who you are outside of a group. This was a factor in him mostly sticking to no-features. However, he couldn’t help but to have his brother, artist Sunnie Marciano, on a track titled “King of Rap.” The song is inspired in large part by Run DMC and has an old-skool 80s vibe. The two take turns delivering some of their most powerful song lyrics. Growing up Oceanview looked up to rap vets like Jay Z and Tupac. Being raised without a father figure made him a sponge to artists who educated listeners through rap lyrics. “I gravitated to both of them because of their
knowledge,” he says. “They were teaching and I was learning.” Artists like Jay, Pac and Nipsey Hussle using their rap lyrics to drop gems has the ability to reach people and challenge their way of thinking. Oceanview wants to inspire the next generation as these kings of rap did for him. OCEANVIEW SLIM/ 4
“I hope and pray that some young fella comes across my music and says, ‘Hey, he spittin’ and sharing knowledge through his music,’” Oceanview explained. “I want to know that I inspire [others].” By next year Oceanview will open Lazy Boi Compound Studios. The location will have a space for retail, media, a lounge area and music studio. The idea came to him when he realized he had to go to several different places to record, sell merchandise and to have a photoshoot. He envisions the studio location becoming a onestop-shop for creatives.
“I want you to escape into a whole different space when you come,” says Oceanview Slim, before describing an ambiance that is conducive for a studio-rat. “It’ll also be a space for us to learn about stocks and trade and other resources.” “I Just Wanna Rap 2” is available on all streaming platforms. Music videos for “Baby If You Can” and “West Side(Oceanview Slim EP, 2020)” will be released later this year.
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