By Mr. Benjamins Chief Curator, This Is Hip Hop HQ
They say death is the only thing we can’t negotiate with, but Femi and the Foundation just walked into the room and handed it a groove so infectious it almost makes the afterlife look boring.
If you’ve ever lost someone, you know the routine: the heavy air, the grey skies, the funeral dirges that sound like a dial-up modem struggling for life. But lead singer Olufemi Taiwo decided to flip the script. Instead of drowning in the shallow end of sorrow, he’s invited us to a wake that feels more like a block party in 1984.
The Alchemist’s Blend: Funk, Rock, and Hip-Hop
Let’s get one thing straight: most “genre-bending” bands are just confused. They throw a guitar riff at a drum machine and call it “fusion.” Not these guys. “Letting Go,” the standout single from their 2025 odyssey Wrong Side of the Sun, is a masterclass in musical alchemy.
Imagine The Roots having a late-night jam session with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, while Lionel Richie handles the refreshments. It’s got that smooth, silk-sheet R&B vocal delivery, but it’s anchored by a rhythm section that hits with the precision of a Swiss watch. It’s hypnotic, it’s carefree, and it’s arguably the most “relaxed” way to experience an existential crisis.
A Modern-Day Lionel Richie (With a DC Kick)
There is a specific kind of effortless cool that artists usually spend decades trying to fake. Femi wears it like a tailored suit. His vocal alignment with the beat isn’t just “good”—it’s symbiotic. It reminded me of those classic 80s records where the artist wasn’t trying to out-sing the track; they were dancing with it.
The track revives that ’80s essence without feeling like a dusty museum exhibit. It’s fresh. It’s vibrant. It’s the sonic equivalent of finding a crisp $100 bill in a pair of old jeans you were about to throw away.
The Philosophy of the “Wrong Side”
Socrates believed that “to be is to do,” but in “Letting Go,” Femi and the Foundation argue that “to be is to move.” This is music for the mo(ve)ment.
“Loss is universal, but how we process it is personal. Sometimes, the best way to move on is to find the funk in the tragedy.” — Ancient Benjamins Proverb (probably).
Based out of Washington, D.C., a city known for its “Go-Go” roots and political grit, the band brings a raw, live-club energy to the studio. You can hear the sweat on the strings and the air in the room. This isn’t some sanitized, AI-generated Pop song; it’s a living, breathing entity.
The Verdict: A Solid 10/10
I don’t give out 10s often. Usually, I’m as cynical as a cat in a bathtub. But “Letting Go” is undeniable. It’s timeless, soulful, and structurally perfect. It makes me want to put on some aviators, roll the windows down, and drive until the GPS starts speaking a different language.
If you aren’t listening to this on repeat, you’re essentially opting for a boring life. And frankly, I can’t help you with that.
Mr. Benjamins’ Closing Thought: If you find yourself crying to this, at least ensure you’re crying in time with the kick drum. Stay classy.
