Rapper, producer, professional skateboarder Navy Blue, aka Sage Elsesser, has released his new album Ways of Knowing, his full-length debut for Def Jam Recordings. Along with the album’s arrival, Navy has shared a video for “The Medium/Pillars.”

Ways of Knowing showcases Navy Blue’s lyricism and eloquent songcraft above immersive, throwback soulful beatcraft. Piano rings out on “The Medium” as his rhymes cut through choir-style samples with an admission, “Bro, I wasn’t scared. I learned patience, cuz it made sense.” With its island-style sway, “To Fall In Love” slips into a nostalgic lovestruck groove punctuated by admissions, “I’m ready to learn how to be the man you trust.” Then, there’s “Freehold” where the airy soundscape bolsters the intention of his delivery as he wonders, “What’s the sum of all this damage done?” It culminates on “Shadow’s Shield.” A message from his mother sets the tone as he delivers one final thought-provoking verbal crescendo.

About Ways of Knowing, he shared the philosophy behind the record, “I don’t really want to be remembered as this stoic guy who’s perpetually reflecting on my trauma and Black plight, you know? I want to make something that makes people smile out of joy, rather than smile in grief.”

Navy Blue
Ways Of Knowing
Tracklisting

The Medium
Chosen
The One
To Fall in Love ft. Budgie
Life’s Terms ft. Zeroh
Phases
Kill Switch
Window to the Soul ft. Kelly Moonstone
Freehold
Embers ft. Liv.e & Venna
Pillars
Look In My Eyes
Shadow’s Shields

Order ways Of Knowing by Navy HERE