Eighteen-year-old Los Angeles rapper KR is, according to his lyrics, something of a loner. But while his preferred activity may be camping out in the studio, the products of him doing so are turning him into a bit of a public figure. The video for his lyrical showcase and recent single "Poetic Death 2" has already racked up more than a hundred thousand views, and with good reason: The kid can rap, and he has an ear for airy, melodic beats that build a complete atmosphere for his songs.
From the extensive shout outs to other artists in his lyrics (A$AP Rocky, Lil Durk, Kanye and others are all referenced), it's clear that KR is still defining himself in the context of his influences. The LA influence is particularly apparent—the most obvious similarities are to other laid-back, lyrical Angelenos like Kendrick Lamar and Blu. KR has the latter's taste in soulful production and the former's knack for disjointed, unexpected flows.
But his own self-reflective tendencies ("why my actions so positive but my motives are wrong?"), his clear ability to rap smoothly and his effortlessly and fully defined aesthetic also help him stand out in the midst of a wave of lyrical revivalists. Overall, the recently released I$0lyf3 2 is a digestible, promising project from a fresh, young talent. What's not to like?
Check out I$0lyf3 2 here.
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