Hey! It’s just a regular autumn evening in my city…nothing special. Anyway, I am here to share an interesting track with you all. Today here is NE$$ — hip-hop artist from Canada, and the track “Stripper Money (feat. Conway The Machine & baby j)”. Let’s check this out!
The very first that we hear, is the overall sound and vibe of the track. Literally from the very first seconds of the song you can clearly hear that this track is far from sweet modern-sounding rap shit. This stuff is more into experimental / underground side of things. I’ll be honest, I hate modern rap with all that synthetic vocals and catchy viral melodies produced exceptionally for the fucking tiktok. This stuff sounds like a solid old-school hip-hop with some noisy / dirty experimental shades in sound. Strong stuff. Unfortunately I am not a fluent English speaker, so I can’t fully understand the lyrics…but I totally feel and like the vibe of the track.
Honestly, that’s pretty all from my side at the moment. If you want to dive deeply into the track’s story, then you can read a bit more info down here:
Within the current renaissance of contemporary underground hip-hop, Buffalo, NY native and Griselda Records lyricist Conway The Machine (Signed to Eminem’s Shady Records & managed by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation) joins forces with UK producer Baby J (known for collaborations with Mark Ronson, dead prez, Iman Thug, and Shabazz The Disciple of Wu-Tang), and A-Alikes RBG rapper NE$$ (previously featured in The Source’s ‘Unsigned Hype’), to create ‘Stripper Money’, a musical narrative that’s as thought-provoking as it is sonically engaging.
Conway The Machine emerges as a trailblazer respectively, he’s been at the forefront of a new wave of underground hip-hop that delves into the gritty realities of street life, shedding light on the unglamorous truths beyond the allure of riches.
Their latest release, “Stripper Money,” serves as a tantalizing glimpse into their upcoming collaborative album, ‘The Price of Bread,’ slated for release on the 27th of October. The track ventures into the ceaseless ebb and flow of money, delving into how we often find ourselves ensnared in its unending cycle. As we hustle tirelessly to get ahead, we frequently exploit one another, ultimately caught in a game that, it seems, was designed for us to struggle rather than thrive.
Delving into the intricate web of capitalism and its pervasive implications, the forthcoming album, ‘The Price of Bread,’ raises a thought-provoking question: just what is the cost of our daily bread? With an ensemble of diverse creatives, including luminaries such as Antwon, Logic (UK), Fat Tony, Rukus, Boca Chika, Octavia Yearwood, Life Life, and more, the album paints a vivid mural of socio-economic realities and the human experience.
Baby J and NE$$ have already graced us with the compelling singles ‘Stick Up Kids’ and ‘Illegal Business,’ featuring Coach NYM and Rukus.
‘Stick Up Kids’ transcends mere music; it’s a haunting journey through the lens of a child growing up in the so-called “First World,” unveiling the layers of societal neglect that can mold innocent souls into reluctant participants in the perilous theater of “street life.” This track serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate dance between adversity and identity, one that often leads to unexpected, treacherous crossroads.
Meanwhile, ‘Illegal Business’ is a sonic manifesto paying homage to the KRS One/BDP classic of the same name. Featuring the distinctive voice of UK rapper Rukus on the chorus, this track emerges as a striking commentary on “The Trap” and the systemic injustices intricately woven into the fabric of America. It’s a vibrant narrative that plunges deep into the heart of America and the UK, unearthing systemic issues. NE$$ and Coach NYM, guided by Baby J’s production wizardry, employ their verses as potent tools for social critique. With each lyric, they lay bare the struggles endured by marginalized communities, leaving listeners with a profound sense of empathy and self-reflection.
In the rich tradition of hip-hop as a conduit for storytelling and societal reflection, ‘Stripper Money’ boldly asserts that the struggle continues. It underscores that music remains an unyielding vehicle for change, an art form as powerful as ever in its capacity to ignite thought and provoke action.