When nothing goes right, rapper Ardamus goes on

November 18, 8:25 PMDC Hip Hop and R&B ExaminerEdith Sodolo

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When Nothing Goes Right-CD Cover

I recently went to an interesting album release party for local rapper/producer Ardamus. It was held at Asylum on 18th Street in Adams Morgan. A mid-sized crowd of hip-hop lovers gathered at the lounge on a cold Sunday night to watch the Nashville native with a streak of bad luck perform. When Nothing Goes Right, is the title and concept of Ardamus' E.P. What has gone wrong in his life? Well, the album takes listeners on a journey through the grimy streets of D.C., where Ardamus runs into lots of sex, drugs, shady promoters and producers.

Ardamus produced a few tracks on the undergound effort including one of my favorite songs, "Superdrugs." The song is uniquely layered with many drum loops, which is his signature sound. It also has an animated appeal that compliments the concept of the song: the super-hero, invincible effect of drugs. The lyrics go, "You can peek around/To see if no one's looking/ Up your nose brah/ You know you're sniffing Wonder Woman." Three other favorite songs of mine include "Say to the Heart:" it calls out rappers who exaggerate about their criminal activities. "What's Wrong With Me" is the most personal and heart-felt song on the album. Finally, "The District," featuring Keynote and Peace.Justice.Universal, is a mid-tempo jazzy hip-hop track that honors the very city in which Ardamus hasn't been lucky. Hopefully with his debut album, that will change.