Has anyone wished to go back to being children? Would you like to return to the innocence, optimism, and limitless joy that defined your childhood? If so, raise your hand. It is indeed true that most of our epic and happy shared memories can be traced back to when we were young, before society corrupted our minds and taught us to value wealth over humanity, profits over people, and careers over living. In essence, adults are just deteriorating children. The sooner we return to the simple pleasures and joy that defined our childhood, the better it is for us and the easier it will be to navigate this hugely chaotic world. Like most of us, New York-based musician and entrepreneur Doug Underground had many dreams he wished to achieve when he grew up, and like so many of us found out later, the world isn’t so welcoming or accommodating to dream chasers seeking to leave a mark with their skills and passion.
Sometimes we sacrifice so much, but for what? We end up wondering whether it was worth it, and this harsh reality defines Doug Underground’s album “Legacy 2.0,” an inspirational sonic odyssey that tells Doug’s journey and how he sacrificed his musical ambition for other endeavors, only to return to his first love at the end of it all.
Here, there are tales of melancholy depicting the intricacies of life, battling with its complexities, wanting to succeed and achieve your dreams, experiencing good and bad days. Through it all, there is a defiant message of rising above the ashes of adversity like a phoenix, dreaming again, rediscovering your form, and returning to the basics of life. As Doug Underground describes “Legacy 2.0” in his own words, “It is an album about rediscovering dreams and persisting on journeys.”
This 15-track collection deserves your attention. I want to give you a glimpse of what it is all about and hopefully entice you to stream it in its entirety.
The opener, “One of Those Nights Again” featuring fellow emcee the6kid, is an introspective track that sees Doug Underground speak his mind in poetic fashion, coming off raw, honest, and vulnerable over a stripped-back production that allows the track’s lyrical and emotional depth to thrive. This track sees Doug let out his lonely thoughts in a way that allows listeners to find their own personal connection with his words.
The title track “Legacy 2.0” captures the essence of growing up believing that you could be anything that you wanted, only to be met by the harsh realities of the world as it is. This feels like a heart-to-heart conversation as Doug showcases his incredible storytelling abilities over a mellow beat. This jam captures the feelings of growing up wanting to be a hero only to be met with life’s sometimes inevitable and seemingly insurmountable challenges!
With “Higher Power” featuring the6kid again, the tempo is upped a bit with the captivating guitar melodies blending seamlessly with the trap-flavored beat that is synthetic and infectious, providing a delightful backdrop for Doug Underground’s scene-stealing performance. Sometimes we need strength beyond our own to navigate this complex world, and that is what this special jam is all about.
“Hooked on the Algorithm” encapsulates the impact of social media and technology. The pros and cons are unleashed in poetic fashion, as Doug especially explores the addictive nature of social media with raw words that do not tip-toe around the subject matter.
“Thoughts On A Train” featuring JoelgotMoolah is another standout that is guaranteed to hit you right in the nostalgia thanks to its old-school inspired production and execution. Just like the title suggests, Doug Underground unleashes his own wild and lonely thoughts over the powerful beat, showcasing A-class lyricism, staggering wordplay, and poetic finesse.
The last jam is this hauntingly beautiful piano-flavored instrumental “Real Nice Beautiful Day (Piano)” that transports a listener to another dimension thanks to its haunting allure and design. Another track that I resonated with is “A New Home,” which captures the essence of wanting to start afresh in a place far away from home.
“Legacy 2.0” is so much more than the music; this is the rhythm of life and a lyrical masterpiece that takes you on a journey of self-discovery and persistence. It is the soundtrack of dreaming and trying again.
It is such an honor to recommend this exemplary work of art from an artist in his most creative state of mind. Enjoy and share this album with your friends and family.
To interact with Doug Underground and get to know more about him, follow him on Instagram @doug._69.