PawPaw Rod is Rodney Hulsey, a singer and rapper hailing from Oklahoma City.
Rod debuted at the end of 2020 with “HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS”, which blended 60s soul with the cadence of hiphop – like a woozier Bill Withers or Gil Scott-Heron. The record quickly found its way to the top of global viral charts and in an Apple commercial too, with not much information out there about Rod except that he was a Capricorn who loved cowboy boots.
“A PawPaw Rod EP”, out 17 September 2021 on LA's Godmode (who've brought you artists such as Channel Tres, Yaeji, and JPEGMAFIA), hopefully fills in the gaps. PawPaw wisdom is hard-nosed, hard-earned, matter-of-fact – but delivered with love too. Musically it's a focused four-song offering that follows the contours of "HIT EM", co-written and produced entirely by Godmode head honcho Nick Sylvester with help from longtime collaborator Adam Moerder.
“Thin Lines” is the latest single from the EP, with a video shot in Rodney’s Oklahoma City hometown and directed by cult filmmaker Anthony Sylvester.
lyrics
Over flowing emotion chronic weed smokin drunk off witch potion
steady goin through motions
walking on thin lines
Thick skull soakin up wise words hustlin ear hustlin
Do you feel that
is it just me, vibes on 10 tapped in we
vibes on 10 tapped in we
Vibes on 10 tapped in We
Vibes on 10 tapped in We
Focused on the road
We’re just walkin on thin lines walkin on thin lines, walkin on thin lines (x2)
Focused on The road
Always something happening up in this city
came here well aware that plans may change
being broken isn’t always a bad thing
what’s a path taken with no sort of pain?
Had to break the shell on a bitch
lowkey it was scary cuz I felt hella exposed
I left home alone/ shorty I’m a seeker not a tweaker
the journey embodies every feeling, I love and need her
Long live a fly nigga
focused getting yours gotta know what’s in ya
being timid in the jungle become lion dinner
Truth on my plate, go for seconds and thirds, well
We’re just walkin on thin lines walkin on thin lines, walkin on thin lines (x4)
Focused on The road
And I’m just trying to keep my balance
lost it then I found it
and I’m just trying to keep my balance
lose it yeah I doubt it
and I’m just trying to keep my balance
lost it then I found it
and I’m trying to keep my balance
running with the chalice
Plottin’ on me
That’s Bad for your health homie
Plottin’ on me
That’s Bad for your health homie
Plottin’ on me
That’s Bad for your health homie
Plottin’ on me
That’s Bad for your health homie
credits
from A PawPaw Rod EP,
released September 15, 2021
produced by Nick Sylvester and Adam Moerder
recorded by Nick Sylvester at Godmode, Los Angeles, CA
mixed by Nick Sylvester at Godmode, Los Angeles, CA
additional mixing by Robert Szmurlo
mastered by Sarah Register at SRM, Brooklyn, NY
song by Rodney Hulsey II, Adam Moerder, Nick Sylvester
vocals by Rodney Hulsey II
background vocals by Nick Sylvester
harpischord by Nick Sylvester
guitar by Adam Moerder
drums by Nick Sylvester
Casio CZ-101 by Nick Sylvester
Moog Matriarch synthesizer by Nick Sylvester
Like so many others, this came like a bolt out of the blue and, even though it's well before payday, I had to have this astonishing album on vinyl to prove it exists. The feel of the tunes makes me feel like the Impressions do, Curtis Mayfield, the big spaces and instinctive horns and stuff drifting in and out. Great grooves and I can see lots of ghosts nodding along to this with big smiles on their faces. At last! Anthony Cottrell
