Los Angeles-based rapper RapboiJones crafts a fully immersive hip-hop sound on new album Pray For Diamonds, a solo statement that stirs in its atmospheric productions and carpe-diem lyrical sentiments. A former member of UglyFace, he steps fully into his own voice here, blending soulful melodic touches, nocturnal synth atmospheres, and lyrically grounded storytelling. Framed as a transition from chaos to clarity, the album channels grit, grace, and lived experience into a sound that feels both intimate and elevated.
“Its only pressure” kicks off the album with gorgeous intrigue, melding glistening piano tones and subdued vocal soulfulness into the emergence of RapboiJones’ riveting hip-hop vocal flow. “I think the pressure finally gettin’ to me,” he lets out, wearing a heart-on-sleeve appeal fondly reminiscent of J. Cole in its balancing of melodic immediacy and emotive solemnity. The ensuing “Last Generation” dazzles in its synth-laden atmospherics, lyrically contemplating the power of ego and the fleeting nature of time — and proving especially infectious during the cheery, layered vocal additions — “the greatest MCs.”
Another standout track, “Second Life” channels a late-night, lounge-set soundscape in its vibe-y keys and jazzy rhythmic easing-in, enthralling in its reveal upon the vocals letting out “they moving too slow.” “I feel like this my second life,” a triumphant vocal character emerges upon an uptick in fervency, reminiscing on a flawed “first time around” and cherishing the nature of second chances. The album’s lengthiest effort, the six-minute “King Imposter,” also captivates — channeling a woozy atmosphere, with shades of Frank Ocean in its nocturnal synths, and proving infectious in its pitch-ranging vocal infusions; the four-minute turn is especially memorable in its brisker, soulful switch-up. Pray For Diamonds is a consistently enveloping hip-hop success from RapboiJones.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
