Saheed - Da Wilderness

The title of Booth newcomer Saheed‘s forthcoming album echoes the Boy Scouts motto, “Be Prepared.”  Needless to say, that sage advice holds as true in the mean streets as in The Wilderness, and this newly-released cut finds the Floridian emcee using the latter as a lyrical metaphor for the former.  In the course of his verses, Saheed tells the familiar of a youth caught between his musical dreams and his struggle-filled environment, but the intensity with which he approaches the very likely autobiographical story is what stands out here.  1914 keeps it old-school (though not quite as old-school as his moniker suggests) on the production tip, backing Saheed’s vivid description of a man fighting to stay afloat with a few soulful samples (anyone know where they’re originally from?).  After hearing this up-and-comer’s take on the struggle, it’s clear why he’s inclined to Pray for the Best, Prepare for the Worst; here’s hoping the album’s June 6th release will bring him more of the former.