How many 18 year-old kids can claim the bragging rights of having their record chart at #8 on the Apple Music charts the very first day it drops? Well if you have two thumbs, you live in Montreal and your name is Prince Amine then those 2 thumbs should pointing back at yourself as you proudly proclaim “This one!” Making an album called XVIII as a birthday gift to himself on his birthday in 2017 was the first step to getting him on that chart. The next step he took in the beginning of 2018 with the release of a rather successful single called Fuego. Fuego rose all the way up into the Top 10 stratosphere of the national hip-hop radio airplay charts. Then, before you even had a chance to ask “Where did Fuego go?” he hits the streets with an entire album that included the Fuego single and he tags as Hram Vybez. Way to go, Kid.
In addition to the earlier single, Hram Vybez features 6 new songs. Ranging from the rollicking title track Hram Vybez, to the more subdued Por La Vida, Prince Amine flexes ample musical muscle and wise-beyond-his-years style of artistic choices. It’s solidly produced, creatively arranged and well performed. Even though he’s not on any major label yet (the label is listed on the album is Red Rebel Productions, and even with some very diligent internet research I was unable to find any other artists’ releases related to that company) he gives the big dogs a run for their money with this album. When you consider that this kid hasn’t even reached the age to drink legally in the good old U.S. of A. then the measure of this accomplishment is even more impressive.
Prince Amine (https://princeamine.com) and his team also turn out some attention worthy efforts on the video for Fuego. He and his dance crew work well in tangent. Whoever came up with the choreography moves could certainly get a gig working on most Broadway musicals. Prince Amine and the dancers have mastered the magic of keeping it tight but making it look so loose and easy when they trip the light fantastic. That’s not a simple task in any art form. A past artist who comes to mind who I remember as being a master of that would be Michael Jackson. I’m not saying that this kid’s has reached the level of MJ, but after watching him perform on video and listening to Hram Vybez, I can conclude unquestionably, this Kid’s alright.
