Written by Lisandro Chihuahua

Pardison Fontaine, an underrated New York rapper from Newburgh, New York, broke into the scene with his song “Backin’ It Up” featuring Cardi B. The song officially went platinum on March 6, 2019, according to The Recording Industry Association of America and Pardison officially put his name on the map in the rap scene. Pardison entered the rap game in 2015, with his first debuted mixtape called “Not Supposed to be Here.” Songs like “Oyyy,” “Bobby Brown” and “Hooporrap” represent his style as a New York rapper. Newburgh is one of the most dangerous cities in America. It is not far from New York City either, about 15 minutes away. From 2016 to 2018, Pardison began to release a few singles every six months or so, but while he was releasing and making his own songs in the shadows, he was also claimed by the media to be a ghostwriter for Kanye West and Cardi B. He co-write Cardi B’s album, “Invasion of Privacy” and Kanye West’s YE album, “Violent Crimes.” He also attended the listening party for Kanye West’s album in 2018.

Pardison Fontaine’s album, “UNDER8ED” is his debut album and project that he has released. In his album, Pardison features Jadakiss, Offset, Jeremiah and Cardi B In’m herehis hit single “Backin’ in it Up”; as well as his other songs like “Shea Butter”, “Rodman”, and his latest release with Offset called “Take it Down”. “Not There Yet” is the first song of the album and while listening to the song, you can hear the humbleness that Pardison raps through his lyrics about coming up and seeing how the fame can make others treat you different and, at the same time struggling to what you want to pursue but for Pardison, he accepts his reality and changes it because of his determination to give it all his got while he’s coming up in the rap game.

“Too Late” is one of Pardison’s unexpected songs on his album featuring Philly legend, Jadakiss. The repeated electronic piano and trap bass sets the song for Pardison to rap different mellows in his rap. While listening to the song, Pardison raps about the resistance of people pulling him back from him working and perfecting his craft. Then the legendary Philly rapper, Jadakiss, comes in with his lyrical verse as he does in every song he raps.

“SouthSide” is a song that if you’re not from Newburgh, it’s hard to understand because of some of the geographic references Pardison makes. In addition, if you’re not familiar with Newburgh, it is known for its violence throughout the 845 because anything can happen to you; so you always want to make sure your on the lookout before getting shot. In one of Pardison verses, he says “City is so crazy, built a college next to a crack house” mentioning how crazy it is how the city of Newburgh has Mount Saint Mary College next to an area of crack houses and violence that occurs everyday. He also mentions one of the local gentlemen’s club’s called Mansion Gentlemen’s Club & Steakhouse, where Pardison would perform.

Both “Pay Ya Bills” featuring Jeremih and “Good for You” are songs that represents Pardison’s feminist support he has for women. Through Pardison’s lyrics, and even his feminist tattoo on his body, his way of rapping about women is more positive than most rappers that talk about women in their records. When listening to “Pay Your Bills”, Pardison raps from the perspective of having money for the only girl that appreciates him; Pardison appreciates her and gives her all the money, diamonds, and bags she deserves, along with hopes of negative things happening to those that did them wrong. “Good for You” has that tropical sound, while Pardison raps in his way of loving this women that is treated badly and Pardison just wants to do good for her. This track is different from the songs on the album. It’s like you are hearing different varieties of Pardison’s crafty rap.

“Sometimes” has to be one of the most relatable songs for those who deal with different mood swings on days where you are independent with yourself from society. The course of the song says it all for Pardison Fontaine, but towards the end of the last four lines. It sounds like a melody of “skip to my lou” when Pardison says:

“Sometimes I’m antisocial ’cause there’s somethin’ wrong with me

Sometimes I wanna settle down, sometimes I’m doin’ me

I know that sound crazy, but that’s just the way it be, ayy

One, two, don’t let me get to three (Ayy, ayy, ayy)”

While listening to the song, it sounds like the thoughts Pardison reminiscing about his life and when he goes out and is this superstar, but then there are times during the song that sounds like Pardison sitting in his room and thinking about the things he does with his alone time, and how others react but to him; he doesn’t care because he does for himself and other people can easily relate to this.

The last song of the album, “UNDER8ED” is another song where Pardison Fontaine expresses his love of women. But in this song, it’s that one girl that is underrated because of how every guy blew their chance with the trophy that in Pardison perceptive sees. With this imaginary girl that Pardison raps about during the song, there isn’t any other girl that could replace the one that gets her priorities done and knows exactly what she wants, along with not putting energy to unnecessary distractions like Instagram DMs.

“Girl, you lookin’ like the ’90s Nia Long, a product of your mom

The girl in high school that every guy was sleepin’ on

I love how you design, almond-shaped eyes

All Aaliyah in the face, but you Sade with the vibe

Girl, you look how Lamborghini’s drive

If a woman tried to get with you I wouldn’t be surprised

No, not even a little bit

In the era of double tappin’ and lyin’ in they captions

We don’t need all them distractions

All these Instagram pages, I’m glad that you ain’t famous

Girl, God damn, you underrated”

Overall, this album is about 100% of Pardison demonstrating his lyrics about the feminist support he has for women. Also having well respected artists that are featured in his songs makes it crazy for someone coming from Newburgh; he is the first artist to make it and be able to work with respected artists. Since his 2015 mixtape, “UNDER8ED” definitely has been a wait for most fans and something that the music industry doesn’t know as much of Pardison Fontaine’s talent in his music. 2020 is when Pardison Fontaine will get more recognition as a major artist in the music industry.