Sonny Soars with February Project A.G.N.B.

Written By: Campbell Harvey

Leaving Chicago was one of the saddest things to happen to my music taste. Since I have been in Atlanta, I have been missing the community aspects that Chicago artists bring to their music, and the love they have for collaborative works. Coming into last year with a rising TikTok presence, Chicago staple artist Sonny displayed versatile flows on a variety of eerie, percussion heavy beats. His work took off from a viral track “KILL BILL”, which had been flipped into an iconic sped-up version after a new update. Yet, this is not where I first heard of Sonny. Spending COVID on social media everyday, I found a talented group of artists and producers through the page @thatsonhighlife. Although I missed the performances, the pop-ups, and the sense of community, listening to artists like Sonny, NombreKari, Jero, and DrewIsABoss was what brought me so much joy. 

On February 15th, Sonny gifted fan’s the much anticipated album A.G.N.B, a nine-track project featuring some of Chicago’s best rising lyricists. Listening one time through, the biggest take away was the diversity of flow and samples in this album. Producers LukeAlmighty and MyFriendNate came together to mix a well rounded start-to-finish piece, with a percussion heavy front end and a slow, groovy outro. A.G.N.B features a collaboration effort in “BELIEVE”, with NombreKari and BandhuntaKT. My favorite track from the album has to be “TWISTED METAL”, a track spotlighting fast living and fast driving. “THROUGH EVERYTHING”, a groovy 2-minute outro, features a beautiful choir-like sample, heavy percussion, and a sense of reflection, not just for how Sonny has gotten here, but what will keep him going. 

Overall, this album has no skips and embodies so much of what the new age of Chicago music has to offer. Beautifully produced and lyrically golden, A.G.N.B will prove to be a lasting album this year. Check out the rest of Sonny’s work below, and be sure to follow him on social media!

Listen Here: https://linktr.ee/sonnyhl

Sonny’s IG: www.instagram.com/hatesonny