With his signature screeches and melancholic melodies, Trippie Redd released his debut album, “Life’s A Trip,” last month that illustrates the young emcees beautiful, yet messy voyage of complex emotions and unapologetic honesty across his two solid deliveries: hip-hop and punk rock.

Raised in Canton, OH, Trippie Redd gained famed and notoriety in 2015 after releasing a series of mixtapes and videos that went viral across SoundCloud and YouTube. His unique versatile style of combining emo/cloud-rap, with the rebellious energy of garage and punk rock, made him an instant sensation online that accelerated his rise amongst audiences looking towards hip-hop to endure the struggles of depression and drug use.

“Life’s A Trip” is one of Redd’s finest works to date. A bold record that allows the emo-rapper to unveil his highest glowing melodies and viciously precise bars, all while confronting his deepest emotions and personal endeavors over hollow guitar riffs and some of the best trap/boom-bap production this year.

The heavy hitters on this record, “Bang” and “Bird Sh$t,” showcases Redd’s unique vocal expressions, with an inviting lyrical approach that’s bolstered with smooth head-boppin’ productions. His feature with Travis Scott on, “Dark Knight Domino” (the albums leading single), also displayed Trippie’s trap/cloud roots, illustrating a stern musical approach and heart pumping beats that masterfully aligns with Scott’s lyrical depth and genre-binding arrangements.

Trippie Redd draws out his honesty on the hauntingly scorn opener, “Together,” where he croons, “I gotta keep it together ain’t no tweakin’ now / I gotta pull it together ain’t no holdin’ on.” His subsequent track, “Taking A Walk,” is a witty obituary that’s fluid with stuntin’ vibes, vivid imagery and autumn-esque flows that fall gracefully with every crawl.

Redd draws out his hip-hop roots, however, on “Missing My Idols,” “Oomps Revenge” and “Gore” that’s ripe with sharp lyricism and fiery-engulfed flows.

On “Missing My Idols,” Trippie pulls out his Lil Wayne card with a Weezy-esque style shout out to his idol, while also grilling the competition, as he accounts for his inspirations.

In the soul gripping, “Oomps Revenge,” Trippie showcases his lyricism with a laid back vibe and meticulously refunded bars. He draws out his emotions again by acknowledging those who’ve stood with him - both past and present - throughout his struggles and those who’ve shoved him aside during his journey to the top. “I don’t think they get me/Build a legacy and hope my n***as be up with me/,” he spits, “And everyone that’s with me/I used to feel alone, but I know my brothers soul is with me/I know oompas soul is with me.”

Official Music Video | Diplo - Wish (feat. Trippie Redd). BBTV_MadDecent, [Merlin] BecauseMusic (on behalf of Mad Decent); UMPG Publishing, Create Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, CMRRA, Abramus Digital, ASCAP, Downtown Music Publishing, and 9 Music Rights Societies

On “Gore,” Trippie spits that heat over a ripely ill beat that shatters audio systems. Redd defiantly croons, “Even if it kills me, imma win,” with a liquidly fresh melody and soaked up bars that electrifies a thunderous delivery.

As one of the most polarizing and versatile young artists to ascend from the cloud/trap genre, Trippie Redd’s debut album excels in both sound, storytelling and lyricism. The record strips away at the Ohio emcees most emotional undertones, which reconciles his strength, empathy and self-preservation.

At a time where mental health is such a pressing issue in our society, and it’s profound impact across the hip-hop space, Trippie Redd sustains himself as a beacon of light for many of his listeners and peers experiencing the same challenges. Though his complex ability to reach across genres, Trippie Redd’s music has already defined a generation that’s trying to keep it together and how faltering now is not an option.

Add “Life’s A Trip” to your playlist today.

Trippie Redd

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J. Cole's new album, "KOD," is a profound critique, and tailored exploitation, on the consequences of addiction in our society.

The North Carolina emcee, whose transition from hip-hop hitmaker to hip-hop activist, followed up 2016's, "4 Your Eyez Only," with a superb record that accounts for Cole's experiences with addiction seen through the windows of his own personal struggles.

Across this 12 piece epic, however, Cole also finds room to tackle some of America's other controversial and polarizing subjects – including the government's response to gun violence, depression/anxiety and the hypocrisies of Black America & urban culture. There's even room for a "lil" beef with today's trap stars and emo-rappers, as Cole also addresses the state of hip-hop with the genre's future artists.

On "KOD" (or depending on how you wish to decipher the acronym - "Kids on Drugs," "King on Drugs" or "Kill our Demons"), Cole encourages listeners to steer away from drugs through the polarizing storytelling and expressive lyrical ability that harbors his own personal battles with addiction during his childhood and adult life.

On "Once an Addict (Interlude)" Cole's vulnerability takes whole when he opens a window for listeners to view some of the emcees most intimate challenges. The song speaks on his mother's addiction with drugs and alcohol and their frictional relationship during his upbringing. Cole also addresses his own addition, both personally and professionally, on "Breakdown;" while also poised with relying on drugs to escape from his opportunistic friendships on "The Cut Off."

Cole also touches upon his success in contrasts to the misfortunes that surrounded his former circle on “Friends.” He combines this concept of guilt and blessing with a stance on how success can be misleading. On “Brackets,” Cole enlightens listeners to re-think about the fruits of their labor and the effects of taxation on our urban communities. Cole offers us a little humor, however, where he references one of Richard Pryor’s old stand-up skits at the beginning of the song, offering another perspective on how money is viewed in our society. While on, "ATM," Cole shows us his own perspective on money and it's lack of importance due to its a temporary void.

And what’s a Cole world without songs about love, sex and infidelity? On “Photograph,” Cole’s swag and tenacity on the mic discusses the mirage of love in the digital age where online-dating sites and matchmaking apps remain apparent. Cole also issues an exposition on infidelity and selfishness with, “Kevin’s Heart,” which is titled from Kevin Heart’s cheating scandal. The song dictates the lack of appreciation men have for a faithful woman and the emotional consequences that are conveyed.

At the album’s conclusion, Cole’s song, “1985 (Intro to “The Fall Off”),” set’s off another heated commentary and lecture on hip hop’s mumble and emo-rap culture. This critique is specifically geared to the longevity and sustainability of emcees set in a genre-trending sound. With warnings of fiscal irresponsibility, a falling off sound, and ultimately, the lost of an audience, J. Cole’s shots at today’s youth speak to his experiences of how rappers have risen and fallen over the course of his career. With Cole’s on going feud with this new form of hip hop, this song allegedly aims at such charting trappers such as Lil Uzi Vert, Smokepurpp and Lil Pump, who have also had words for Cole in the last year.

J. Cole mastery on “KOD” illustrates again how persistent Cole’s dominance has been in the game today. With enduring storytelling, daring vulnerability and profound empathy, the Dreamville emcee forces us to reflect on the gifts that we take for granted.

From the painful consequences of America’s drug epidemic to the hypocrisies that are endured throughout our urban communities, Cole’s activism, through lyrical brilliance and prolific expression, makes “KOD” one of the most daring and intriguing albums of 2018 so far.

Along with stern commentary on today’s rising emcees in the trap/emo-rap space, as well as an onslaught on man’s infidelity, Cole continues to be the exceptional voice for today’s hip hop generation.

Listen, steam and download “KOD” on all digital streaming platforms today.

J. Cole

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Trippie Redd Unreils His Beautiful, Yet Messy Voyage, of Complex Emotions on "Life's A Trip"

J. Cole Tackles The Consequences of Addiction on "KOD"

The Fox and King | Music, Branding, The Bronx, Est. 2011