Stanisland Magazine

We review new boom-bap hip-hop song featuring vivid Baltimore-NYC rap with zesty energy.

Jay Royale is making strides toward becoming a recognisable name in hip-hop. Joining him this time is Tek of Smif-N-Wessun and together they deliver adventurously bold diatribes.

In a volley of lyrical narratives, their new single, The Pookie Belt Buckle (F&F), slams hard on the accelerator with multisyllabic declarations on sharp verses.

What It Sounds Like

This is an industry stick-up with style for the culture and there are plenty of positive takeaways no matter your tastes.

Production is another boom-bap fest of palatable beats, simmering in a hauntingly gallant disposition. Brought to us by producer Ray Sosa (a frequent collaborator of Royale), it’s sonically rich with an earthy energy, held by an unfiltered and texturally gritty score.  

When enthusiasts say hip-hop is in decline, it’s because it was joined by trap, drill, and grime in a short space of time. But it’s not dead; it’s thriving; you just need to look in the right places.

Verdict 

Subgenres all have their places; Royale, and Tek’s assembly of chosen collaborations are often full of what you’re looking for.

They’re tenacious talents, and The Pookie Belt-Buckle is a technically gifted assortment of bars for the culture. Hopefully, this leads to a new album.

Where to Stream

You can stream the new single on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. The rapper’s website and Soundcloud may offer updates for alternative streaming in the future.