“Home” is an impressive showing from Mark Ferg, capturing the anxiety inherent in a world of over-policing and discrimination. A comforting piano tone is quickly interrupted by a police siren, as Ferg’s precise vocal flow becomes seamlessly accompanied by percussion. “This ain’t fake news, you know it’s real,” Ferg says before the haunting chorus, which captures the daily anxiety of parents simply hoping their children will make it home safe. The contrast between flowing hip-hop verses and a more soulful, pop-forward chorus make for an engaging sound throughout. This is a stellar showing from the NYC-based artist.
Ferg elaborates on the track’s creative process below:
“After witnessing the murder of George Floyd by the police, hearing about the brutal murder of Breonna Taylor (Also by the Police) and countless other heinous acts that have been committed against the marginalized black and brown people in this place we call HOME. I was left with so much swirling around in my head and heart. With racism rearing its ugly head yet again, the effects of COVID19 on the world and the unemployment rates skyrocketing, it seems depression, death and despair was lurking in every corner of my mind.
I tried really hard to come up with ways that I could do my part and show up for my myself, my people and for the world and after some deep searching within I made a decision that the best way for me to contribute to what’s going on right now in the world is to reflect and document it through my art.
So, I ordered production and recording equipment, set up my home recording studio and worked diligently through lockdown. I learned some new things about production, wrote some of the best songs I’ve ever written, and tapped into an intimacy with my music that I don’t think I ever have before.
Today I release a song that was birthed from that creative process.”
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“Home” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of September 2020’ Spotify playlist.
The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Hip-Hop.
