Ferg has been on fire lately, and his latest release is a testament to his creative streak. On June 3, the New York City native dropped “More Than U Know Freestyle,” a track that samples Anita Baker’s 1990 classic from her Grammy-winning album, Compositions.
The A$AP Mob rapper begins the freestyle with a nod to Baker herself: “Turtle neck with the blazer, bumpin’ Anita Baker/ ODO frames, I pulled out the Mauri gators/ Yeah, we do it major, chicks flown in from Asia.”
On the other side of music, Anita Baker recently responded to Victoria Monét’s 2022 wish in a heartwarming exchange. Monét had tweeted, “I wanna make a classic love song that Anita Baker would be proud of,” and Baker finally got around to listening to Monét’s 2023 track, “How Does It Make You Feel.”
Baker didn’t hold back her admiration, replying, “You’ve already done it. ‘How Does It Feel’ is a melodic masterpiece. Congratulations on all your well-deserved nominations & accolades & keeping R&B in your world/your generation.”
Victoria Monét, overwhelmed with joy, responded, “This is such an honor and a dream come true!!! My gratitude for you and your art has always been immense and now to speak to you through mine feels so golden!! I love you to the stars and I thank you for these flowers! I’m in awe. Hope to hug you soon.”
Monét’s recent release, Jaguar II, also garnered high praise, receiving a 4.4 out of 5 score in a review by HipHopDX’s Nina Hernandez. Hernandez noted, ‘Each and every choice she makes feels deliberate — from the dancehall turn with Buju Banton (“Party Girls”) to the funky ballad tribute to her adopted hometown with personal idols Earth, Wind & Fire (“Hollywood”). Monét weaves an instant R&B classic out of empowerment anthems, genuine respect for her soul elders, and an unflappable confidence that can only be admired.’
Ferg’s latest freestyle is another exciting chapter in his ongoing musical journey, paying homage to an R&B legend while keeping his unique style intact. Meanwhile, the mutual admiration between Anita Baker and Victoria Monét highlights the enduring influence of classic R&B on today’s artists.
