King Melik | ‘Sanctuary’
Sanctuary is King Melik‘s most fully-realized statement yet. Moreover, it stands out through cinematic-styled introductions and other variations of trap, lofi, and R&B. Not only is the album’s experimental sound a welcome sign for the prodigious lyrical talent, but it also showcases the atmosphere King Melik’s music has. The 10-track project also highlights his versatility, confidence, and unwavering focus.
In 33 minutes, the Chicago artist speaks on his dealings with women, staying ten toes down and two spur-of-the-moment decisions.
Featuring fellow Chicago artists like SONNY, Supa Bwe, and Senite, to name a few, Sanctuary is bolstered by their respective cadence and solid wordplay. No matter the topic, King Melik tackles it precisely, making sure each bar shines through his signature melodic, autotune delivery.
Opening up the project is his My Beautiful Fantasy-centered offering, “Broken Promises Are Lies.” In this record, the soundscape is immersed in foreboding, then commanding elements. Eventually, the beat transforms into an R&B one, and King Melik speaks about the promises his partners failed to keep. Although her choice of action hurts him, King Melik is certain he’ll come out of this with tougher skin.
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“One day I won’t give a fuck no more/And some day I’ll stop knocking at your door/Coming coming coming soon,” he delivers.
On the xylophone-led “Mocha,” “Zoo,” “Calabasas II,” and “No Kizzy,” the rapper details how he constantly applies pressure. King Melik doesn’t take his elevation lightly, as mentioned in “Mocha.”
He spits, “Now I’m in a zone/I’m in a different mode/Now I get a bag then split it with my folk (split it with my folk)/That’s the road I’m living by the code.”
In the other aforementioned songs, he puts relationships on the back burner. Instead, King Melik makes providing for himself and his loved ones his primary focus. He even says in the eighth track, “I’m in my bag ain’t got time for no Romeo.”
“i hope you had fun” and “Sing To Me” speak on love from different standpoints. In “i hope you had fun,” King Melik wonders what his partner has been doing since they last spoke. After not hearing from her throughout the night, he thinks the worst.
Angered by her lack of communication, King Melik says “Been dodging all my messages and up past five/I’m possessive and you know it/But it don’t matter to you.”
However, in “Sing To Me,” he speaks about tending to his lover’s body, mind, and soul. Although King Melik knows her vices have created their union, he doesn’t plan on tearing it down. The musician’s goal is to bring her pleasure in every sense of the word.
He ignites the passion with these few lines, “Yeah, I try my best even though you ain’t my shawty/I don’t want no other nigga rubbing on your body/So I put that work in let me work it/Babygirl, you got me swerving/I got you twirling.”
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Lastly, “Angels” and “Pretty Girls” pinpoint careless periods of time. The first song is about a psychedelic experience, whereas the latter details a ménage à trois. In “Angels,” Senite uses a melodic delivery to speak on the sombering moment while King Melik talks about its most potent one. “Pretty Girls” finds the artist using a story-telling cadence to talk about how he ended up in bed with two lovers instead of one.
He explains, “She said they’re waiting outsidе of my crib/Hung up the phone now I’m up, on the way/Pull up outsidе and I’m smelling the candles/Casamigos must be fresh off the brain.”
In closing, Sanctuary is a refreshing listen that’s full of genre-blending beats and solid lyricism. Not only is your inner beast awakened, but you’re also more prone to tackle the day. Sanctuary will remind you that you’re the full prize if you ever doubt your potential. With an ounce of Chicago suave, Sanctuary rides to the beat of hard-hitting bars and assertiveness.
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