ferocious, ambitious, assured, barbed, as Jadon Woodard spits on “Bad Azz,” the spirit of first principles hip-hop is alive and well. All attention is on the emcee’s delivery. The single is cold and stinging, exactly how his bars are delivered.
Rap
Conversation with Chris Patrick: “Speak what you want into existence”
Chris Patrick is 24-year-old New Jersey rapper making big moves on social media. His new single, “3AM” has garnered fresh attention for his career, following up on his song “Swish” making the NBA 2K21 soundtrack. We sat down with the busy artist to get the inside perspective on how he is able to work so successfully while balancing artistry with a full-time job.
Why We Like It: Jennifair’s “Living the Life” (Ft. Drum Mage)
“Living the Life” Ft. Drum Mage is a breezy listen. An R&B singer with a knack for spitting verses, Jennifair finds her pocket in the gentle wind. She raps about excelling in the moment, looking neither back on struggles overcame or ahead to treasures not yet received.
Why We Like It: Bolbito’s “Epiphany”
Mellow and drifting, Bolbito let’s the bars flow one after another, flowing through a river of memories — some good, some bad, sometimes peaceful waters, sometimes turbulent rapids. “Epiphany” is a poetic realization reflecting on the pain of the past but not letting it define the future.
Why We Like It: Cantrell’s “Birds Eye View”
Back again, Cantrell sores above the competition on “Birds Eye View.” With his newfound heights, the rapper looks at the game from above, an angle that affords him a wider perspective. The hunger bleeds through in his rhythm and controlled delivery.
Why We Like It: Imp’s “Itinerant”
“Itinerant” sores on poetic verse and inspired instrumentation. Imp doesn’t mind letting listeners in their mind and ultimately their troubles. They’re someone that’s striving for better even when some of the people they’re closest to don’t understand them.
Why We Like It: Otis Mensah’s “The Thinks”
Purely having the extent of the world available to him seems to overwhelm Mensah. “The Thinks” jumps from musing to musing over a dream-inducing instrumental. As a listener, you get the sensation of floating through his thoughts.
Why We Like It: Jaylon Musa’s “Silent Tears”
Music has the incredible ability to pull from nothing and create something of substance. On “Silent Tears,” Jaylon Musa pulls from the pain of losing a close friend to suicide. The weight of his pen with the resonance of the instrumental touches the heart and soul.
Why We Like It: Jay-Way’s “No, I’m Not Ok”
Electric guitar licks, auto-tuned vocals dripping with angst, a firm hip-hop heart, “I’m Not Ok” is a melting pot of sonic influences mixed just right. Jay-Way opens a door to the world in our heads where we’re doing so much more than making the commute to work or waiting for our clothes at a laundromat.
Why We Like It: The Kii & Kelvyn Colt’s “Walk Alone”
“Walk Alone” by The Kii and Ft. Kelvyn Colt is a battle lyrically and visual where the only winner is the listener. The song parallels the fights of a toxic relationship with down tempo production and rappers with hypnotic pacing. Both vocalist claim to have seen a message on the other’s phone but the lack of communication devolves the situation into a battle rather than a conversation, and no real conclusion is every reached.
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