Medhane is a New York rapper who is closely associated with artists such as MIKE, Pink Siifu and
Slauson Malone.
Last year he graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and has made it clear that hip-hop is what he wants to pursue. He recently released his debut album last November and has now returned only three months later with his latest project “Full Circle.”
The productivity at which he is working is new for him as an artist, yet it has been doing him wonders. Since Medhane’s latest release, his popularity and streams have grown exponentially, as he has over 86,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
The type of hip-hop music he creates isn’t going to get a crowd moving or earn any play on the radio, so it’s surprising that he has been able to increase his following. His music is very personal to his day-to-day life. He tends to detail thoughts, frustrations and struggles, which is a type of hip-hop that has grown more and more popular in recent years.
MIKE initiated this type of style, as the flows are very slow, slurred and almost incoherent lyrics, production, sample heavy and chopped. This trend in “underground” hip-hop has been used by many artists, the most prominent one being Earl Sweatshirt on his last two projects.
That would explain the sudden increase in the popularity surrounding this sound and the growth of Methane’s own fanbase. It wouldn’t be the only explanation, though, because he’s done nothing short of release quality music. Is this the case for “Full Circle?”
The first track, “DAN FREEMAN,” is a strong start to the album, as it immediately sucks you into the project. The beat is hypnotizing and slow; it’s very minimal, allowing the listener to clearly hear every word that Medhane speaks. The song seems to be about acceptance as well as freedom: freedom of people who don’t have your best interest in mind and freedom from accepting that lack of control that we really have.
There’s a refrain at the end of the song repeating, “let it rain, accept what you can never change, everyday.” The second track, “I WAS JUST IN THE MARA,” has a wonderfully chopped up sample which utilizes the vocals marvellously. The track seems to detail difficult times for Medhane, as he says that, “we’re living in trauma,” and a clever line, “at the altar with and offer trying to see change.”
There is a feature on the track, maassai, who gives a verse that is similar to Medhane’s, yet it lacks the same emotion and she sounds a little awkward on the track.
The third track, “NATURAL LEAF,” has a wonky beat that Medhane and the features artist Akai Solo somehow find a way to rap over effortlessly. Medhane delivers a solid but short verse, leaving plenty of room for Akai Solo to dominate the track. He begins his verse with, “I love being wrong about people,” which is a refreshing line being that a lot of hip-hop artists tend to be very pessimistic. His verse is filled with thoughtful lines and several quotables.
The following track “NO MORE TEQUILA” is so short that it’s almost forgettable. It feels like an interlude.
“REDLINE” has a smooth, jazzy beat that matches the lyrics perfectly, as they’re unfortunate yet very hopeful. A lot of the lyrics are concerned with keeping your head up, looking to the sky and flying.
“REVERENCE” has a very disjointed instrumental that feels all over the place, yet the vocals are laid over the track very well.
The lyrics on this track are nothing out of the ordinary, as the project is hitting the same note.
“BIG38” has the base instrumental on the whole track and begins with Medhane making a very tweetable remark: “I know I be simpin but my heart cold,” which is oddly enough one of the only coherent lines. The track is so short that if you don’t pay attention you may just not notice it any other way.
“4EVAFADED” is nothing much but a snare and and a beautiful soul sample which is perfect for Medhane. The lyrics are the most confident on the whole album. He leaves the listener feeling strong through what he faces. Medhane includes a lot of references to his grandmother which add a sweet layer to the track, bringing out the shine of the instrumental.
Medhane is as honest as you’ll see him providing some relatable and truly delightful art.
“Full Circle” is a short project at 15 minutes, but it is filled with quality content that is sure to have people listening to it repeatedly.
