When people don’t try to understand what’s happening, it just makes the emotional pain of relationship conflict worse. In his rap/hip-hop song, “Listening,” Young Thad F addresses this difficult subject, stressing the importance of staying focused and making the right choices for yourself.
The single is about domestic abuse and the importance of not fighting back when things get toxic in relationships. But the trick is, conflict doesn’t have to equal more destruction. The song seems to say people should try to keep their cool, know when a situation is getting unhealthy, and get out before anger takes over their actions.
It’s also more of an introspective record than a record of self-expression. Young Thad F uses the song to discuss things we do that can have serious consequences, but also to discuss a more peaceful way of dealing with difficult situations. It is not easy to forget the emotional toll. The instrumentation, mix, and engineering make up the whole presentation. With M. Keys handling the engineering at Creation Station in New York City, “Listening” is about respect, control, and breaking cycles of harm, and that’s what ultimately drives its musical direction.
