I approved this one for one specific reason. That’s not to say that “Sauce” is a bad song, because it’s actually damn catchy. However, after the track ended, one moment stuck out in my head: Tia Nomore used the word “sassafras” in a bar. Being a writer and an English major in college, I have a certain appreciation for people who get a little off-kilter with their word choices. If you’re not familiar with Tia Nomore, she’s a West Coast artist who has this unique style about her. It’s like distinctly Bay Area (think specifically Too $hort and E-40) but, at least here, with a bit of a Coi Leray twist. Plus, she turned in, via the film Earth Mama, a performance as a young mom that people have called masterful. The film drops nationwide in a few weeks (at least that’s what Google told me), so I’m going to try and scope it out for myself.

Back to “Sauce,” it’s a very vibe-heavy track, one that makes you feel like you’re that MFer.

I mean, who doesn’t want to have “the sauce” when it comes to life? I sure as heck love having my life a bit sauced up (and not just from being off the sauce–though tequila and I have a rich history). It’s fun but deadly serious, inventive and new but still brings some of the OGs to mind. It’s all the things you want from a summer song, while still repping for the other seasons as well (hustlers and real ones don’t sleep sleep all the time). I couldn’t tell you which one part of the song (besides the “sassafras” line) was my favorite, because it’s all just, for me right now, that damned good and empowering. It feels good to just have a song you can turn on, turn up and just get it how you live.

Check out the track above, support dope music in all its forms and support dope artistry in all its forms.