Marnz Malone – Saxophone (ft. Byron Messia)

The title is an unusual one for a rap record because a saxophone immediately brings an instrument to mind. That does not tell the whole story, but it gives the listener a picture before the track even begins. Titles like this can be useful because they leave a little mystery around what the song is actually about.

Byron Messia brings his own Caribbean background into the collaboration, and a review of the album points to his vocal presence as giving the record a different texture. It also notes that Marnz adapts to the change, showing that he can work outside the harder rap spaces people may already associate with him.

Saxophone is one of the longer tracks on the album, running for more than three minutes. That gives the collaboration enough room to develop its own identity within a project where several songs are considerably shorter. The pairing also continues the album’s interest in bringing together UK rap and Caribbean influences.

There is a broader point here about versatility, but it does not need to be exaggerated. A rapper does not have to abandon his roots to explore another musical space. Sometimes it is enough to change the setting, bring in a different voice and allow the collaboration to shape the direction of the record.

That makes this one an interesting stop on I Wish I Could Sing. The title catches attention, but the collaboration is what gives the track its place within the project. Marnz Malone gets to work alongside Byron Messia while showing that his writing can sit comfortably in a less familiar setting.

Listen, download and share your thoughts in the comments.