K-Trap's 'No Magic' Tape Shows Us He's Evolved Without Turning His Back On His Roots

Still uncompromisingly raw, but with a maturity beyond his years.

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After teasing fans with the announcement that he would be removing the mask and showing his face to the world, rapper K-Trap finally made good on that promise when he dropped off the No Magic tape and the visuals for the project's latest single, "Big Mood". Even drill haters had to concede that No Magic is a crowning achievement for the scene favourite. Extending beyond the confines of straight-up UK drill, No Magic sees K-Trap incorporate the full spectrum of British rap.

Drill still has a pretty big part to play though, and fellow drillers Headie One and RV make impactful appearances on "No Caller" and "No Mask" respectively, with Donae'O (on "Stay Safe") and AJ (on "Young Fly") also providing melodic injections while still keeping things uncompromisingly raw. But those aren't the only flashes of colour; "Change" gives us an introspective K-Trap—with bars that are still as tough as ever—but there's a maturity here as it shows a level of perspective that usually comes after many more years of experience.

Still, for all the progression and evolution brimming at the seams, he's quick to remind us on "Change" that I'm still me. A potent reminder that while K-Trap has evolved a lot in recent years, he's not turning his back on his roots.

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