Navy Blue Got Dropped From Def Jam. His Response: A Great Independent Album

The article delves into rapper-producer Navy Blue's latest independent album, "Memoirs In Armour," which was released shortly after his departure from Def Jam. Navy Blue, whose real name is Sage Elsesser, discusses the therapeutic nature of his music creation process and his preference for an independent approach. He explains that while he values the experience with a major label, being dropped allowed him to return to a more authentic and personal method of making music. The album "Memoirs In Armour" is characterized by introspective ruminations and themes of self-discovery and trauma, delivered with intricate and spacious rapping. Despite being created quickly, within approximately three months, the project incorporates some older tracks that Navy Blue felt finally found a suitable home. This rapid turnaround contrasts with his previous major label debut, "Ways of Knowing," and highlights his renewed creative freedom. The title "Memoirs In Armour" is derived from the acronym M.I.A. ("Missing in Action"), reflecting his feeling of needing to reconnect with his core fanbase after his previous album's different sound. Navy Blue reflects on the distinction between his past work and "Memoirs In Armour," noting his investment in better recording equipment, influenced by a conversation with fellow artist Ka, who emphasized providing fans with the best quality. He highlights the opening track, “Take Heed,” produced by Budgie, as an example of the album's fresh and evolving sound. Navy Blue describes his songwriting process as focusing on completing a thought rather than adhering to specific flows, embracing authenticity in his craft. He also praises producer Child Actor for the intricate loop in the song “Basis,” showcasing the collaborative effort that shaped the album. His experience with Def Jam was mixed. Navy Blue had completed a second album for the label, but it remains unreleased after he was dropped during the clearance process. While acknowledging initial frustration, he views this as a divine order of events that led him to create "Memoirs In Armour." He expresses a belief that the unreleased album will eventually see the light of day when the time is right. This period of independence has also led to a shift in his perspective, allowing him to process past anger and frustration more constructively. Navy Blue articulates his artistic motivation as inspiring listeners and giving voice to experiences that others might struggle to express, rather than chasing commercial success or awards. He acknowledges the inherent conflict between his personal beliefs and the demands of a major label system. Looking ahead, Navy Blue indicates he has an abundance of unreleased music, including a second part to his unreleased Def Jam album, but remains open to new inspirations for future projects, emphasizing his commitment to creative freedom and authentic expression. #NavyBlue #IndependentMusic #MemoirsInArmour #DefJam #HipHop #MusicProduction #CreativeFreedom #AlbumRelease #ArtistInterview #NavyBlue #IndependentMusic #MemoirsInArmour #DefJam #HipHop #MusicProduction #CreativeFreedom #AlbumRelease #ArtistInterview