By Millan Verma

Nashville artist Brian Brown recently released the visual for “Runnin,” a standout track from his latest album, Journey, which dropped back in January. Brian, at 27 years old, has been working diligently for over half a decade now and has cemented himself as a name to know in Nashville. He began to pick up steam back around 2014 through Soundcloud hits like “Newports” and “fukit.” Since then, his production quality and technical proficiency have improved tenfold and “Runnin” is perhaps his strongest track to date. 

For the three and a half minute song, Brown enlists fellow Nashville native Reaux Marquez for a crisp feature and frequent Rick Ross collaborator Black Metaphor for the beat. Brown and Reaux immediately jump on the piano-driven, classic dirty-south type beat with a laid back yet heartfelt chorus that makes the song perfect for a summer kickback. Then Reaux Marquez hops on and peppers his silky flow with some quick-footed witticisms like, “Pikachu, you hold my lightning / You cold, need a sip of your icee.” Brown matches his collaborators' skill by employing some great imagery (“Say I’m the solitude to your violent room / Well before you go, can I have that key?”) and offering some narration that depicts his on again off again relationship status. 

The video, directed by Josh Nachoz, is a tasteful depiction of a day in the life of Brian Brown. Nachoz switches off between shots of Brian and Reaux hanging out in a Nashville basketball court with their friends, and the rappers in intimate settings with their intimate partners. The video’s energy perfectly encapsulates that of the song. It’s comfortably personal; laid back, yet still up close. It is aesthetically pleasing and does not take away from its purpose of exhibiting the music in a more elegant light.