NuSoul, the Poet’s ‘World On Fire’: A Hip-Hop Manifesto of a Rebel’s Spiritual Journey
Lyrically firing forth like a phoenix reborn from the ashes of his previous showing on Formidable, the poet spreads his wings to take on the challenges that await him. NuSoul the Poet‘s metamorphic August 19th release “World On Fire” sets the screen ablaze with its scorching commentary on the state of spirituality.
The music video, directed by visionary artist Ivan Alejandro, presents a powerful visual, mirroring the emotional weight of NuSoul’s verses. The monochrome film, absence of a sweet world in color, begins with NuSoul. Praying in smooth, black and white untroubled shadows. He hearkens the viewers’ attention to the heartstrings of words of himself and his passionate performance as the main focus.
As World On Fire begins to erupt in flames and lick at the edges of this record, NuSoul, the Poet, is seen in repentance, resurrecting, and self-reinventing a hip-hop manifesto of a rebel’s spiritual journey.
Prayerful in the heart of the church with his hands folded, an acquiescent means to show God the irrevocable beauty of his creation, NuSoul came to the mainstream to wreak havoc on the status quo that hip-hop has settled into. “When the earth has reached her finale,” says NuSoul, “God says that He won’t send another flood. He’ll send fire and brimstone. He’s going to burn it all.”
In this song, the artist paints from the hand that’s been dealt to provoke conversation and to make us feel and think and believe, and maybe we’ll start a revolution. Like the gripping lyrics he once merely rhymed of “pain ridden poetry, spray painted on the walls of the church.”
On World On Fire, when he stands tall and unapologetically takes aim at rappers who are not living up to the potential of the genre they represent, he says, “I ask for your forgiveness for what I’m about to do to these ni**as.” A fearless battle cry. This isn’t just another hip-hop performance—It’s a manifesto. A bold statement from a studious, controversial artist, to accentuate his delivery, leaving no room for distraction. Therefore, with so much color in the world, the lack thereof feels refreshing.
In a world where music has become formulaic, predictable, and safe, NuSoul, the Poet kept things simple, focusing on his message and his art. He comes in like an atomic bomb, ready to disrupt the program and burn everything down and rebuild it with his unique brand of lyrical prowess, making it impossible to categorize his music into a single box.
With every song he created, every stage he graced, and every current and future list he lands on, NuSoul brings an electrifying, unapologetic fire that is impossible to ignore. He is a force to be reckoned with, a disruptor, a visionary who is not content to just follow trends, but rather set his own, akin to his voice carrying the passion of Ray Charles and the rebellious energy of NWA. He doesn’t care about playing it safe, following the rules, or pandering to the masses. This is analogous to that of his fearless, unconquered nature of animal ambition with the lyrics; “I’m still the G.O.A.T., and nare one of y’all done proved me wrong.”
Blazing a lonesome trail in the dark with a sound that is all his, fueled by passion, creativity, and an unwavering dedication to his craft, from the lack of vanity in “I’ve got to bless you, precious Lord” to the raw, unfiltered honesty of “ain’t nothing free in this world except salvation and an ass whooping,” every line is a masterpiece of sound and soul that showcases NuSouls incredible talent and unwavering commitment to musical excellence.
NuSoul’s ‘World On Fire’ is an incendiary piece of art that captures the intensity of his thought-provoking message. Tackling important themes such as faith, resilience, and self-discovery through visually stunning, stained glass cathedral imagery. His unique blend of gospel, soul, and R&B elevates this track to a level of pure excellence. The video, directed by Ivan Alejandro, is a testimony to what can happen when God is made a priority
With each shot being a work of artistic brilliance, NuSoul, expertly weaves together themes of redemption and transformation against the backdrop of an awe-inspiring architecture and religious iconography. It’s impossible not to be moved by the Christlike imagery on display, from the flickering untroubled shadows to the intricate stained glass windows developed as a theologically important art form—a way to convey to the masses things the church wanted them to see, think about, and understand.
Apropos to the spiritual passage, “To see an artist perform, is to bear witness to the true essence of their being.” It is in this vulnerable state, much like Christ’s death on the cross, NuSoul, the Poet strips away all externalities, including the bold and brazen colors of his outward persona, to expose the innermost parts of his soul, his resurrection, and then some. Thus, lyrically rapping with an intensity that commands the audience’s attention to the heart of the song. As he delivers each lyric with passion and conviction, the audience is held in rapt attention, swept up in the depths of the artist’s intense performance and soul. A truly unforgettable impact to contribute to the narrative arc of the emcee’s journey.
This is a music video that deserves multiple views. Undoubtedly, it will be hailed as one of the most potent pieces of visual poetry of our time. “Everything I had been trying to do as a man, as an artist,” says NuSoul the Poet, “and as a human being, was stifled because God wasn’t involved. And now that He is involved, we see where this thing is going. It’s only up from here.”
With “World On Fire,” NuSoul proves that even in the midst of destruction and turmoil, there is a spark of hope that can ignite a brighter future. This is the anthem for all who refuse to be consumed by the flames of darkness and who seek to rise above the ashes of their old lives and become agents of positive change in the world. Enwreathed by a smoky haze, NuSoul, the Poet, set the tone for the video’s theme of resurrection and rebirth. He is an entirely new artist, and he’s no longer afraid of what he is anymore.
He’s putting God first in all things; this song is not solely his dedication to God, but a testament to faith for those who fearfully follow Him. NuSoul is done with limiting his creative point of view to appease the preferences of the unsupportive city of Beaumont, Texas. He has evolved his musical style and set his penmanship on jotting into more diverse genres. This newfound focus is evident in every note, every beat, and every lyric of his music. NuSoul, the Poet is more than just a one-trick rapper. He’s the “impeccable, untamable,” a revolutionary, ready to shake up the world. And he won’t give up until the flames are nothing more than ashes and embers.
Photo courtesy of NuSoul the Poet
