Rebecca “DawgGone Davis” releases “Darkest Hour” (Single)

Expressing sorrow and pain for some is an obstacle. Not for rapper and rocker DawgGone Davis, the moniker of Kansas City, Missouri’s Rebecca Davis. In her new track “Darkest Hour” she enlists the help of rapper Chago G Williams and guitarist Romain Duchein to create a blistering, yet poignant hip hop meets rock standout. Her personal touches and melting of rock and hip hop give “Darkest Hour” one heck of a listening experience.

No stranger to the international scene, this Midwesterner has branched out to the indie European charts. Her past hits include “Judge No, Rap Yes”, “Checkered Future” and “Middle Age Woman – Hip Hop Style”. In an Erika Badu-esqe way, DawgGone Davis raps with finality and finesse. She wills her way to the listener’s heart with sincerity and bluntness.

In the lines feeling sorry for myself, been a long slide down to this stricken hour, DawgGone’s universal sentiment connects with fire power. Her rapping style is very measured, and her pitch is monochromatic, but she gets her point across. I enjoyed the storyline and her slow flow. She’s like a Young MC meets Post Malone. Toe the line or feel the damnation, she raps. What’s interesting is that I didn’t get an overt sense of spirituality on the first listen. As the song stretches out of the gate, and the little beats and references add up. Against the music bed, a driving force in itself, DawgGone’s mouthpiece is solid and a nice juxtaposition.

Duchein’s reign on the guitar is far and wide in “Darkest Hour”. DawgGone might spill anxious notes and tones, but the electric guitar is melodic and warm. It’s a burst of beams shooting across DawgGone’s mellowness. The intricacies in the guitar arrangement is more than expected and when he’s in the spotlight, Duchein takes full advantage of his towering sound. Williams’ rapping is a quicker flow, but not Techn9ne level. He brings another unique wave to the party. He raps with no lights at all, who cares if we fail? I don’t think he’s being political here. I think he’s being broader and in the sense that we need to find hope we where can find it, even in the darkness. There will also be obstacles and things that won’t go our way. Williams’ inclusion is important, not only because he’s inserting additional arrangements and important aspects of the song, but he adds another whole layer of authenticity. The mish-mash of his and DawgGone’s sound is peculiar at first. It’s what makes the song sound more interesting.

I-TUNES: https://music.apple.com/us/album/darkest-hour-feat-romain-duchein-chago-williams-jack/1520403992

One line that I felt particularly fond of is well, I’m losing my power, and I just can’t walk away. This is Williams’ rapping, and the words hit like a ton of bricks. You just can’t give in and give up when you’re having a bad day. You have to push through, with your head held high. I think that’s the point of this song – “Darkest Hour”. We all are living through exceptional times, but haven’t we always been? Some people are going through grief, and others are breaking up a relationship. You have to keep moving forward.

Mindy McCall

The music of DAWGGONE DAVIS has been heard all over the world in partnership with the radio plugging services offered by Musik and Film Radio Promotions Division.  Learn more https://musikandfilm.com